ABSTRACT
The bisphosphonates have made a major contribution to how clinicians manage osteoporosis and are regarded as first-line therapy in the treatment of osteoporosis. Their chemical structure is characterized by two phosphate groups linked through a central carbon atom, with the various members of the class distinguished by the two side chains that bind to the central carbon atom. Two classes of bisphosphonates are often distinguished on the basis of their side chains: those that contain a nitrogen atom (e.g., alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and zolendronate), and those that do not (e.g., etidronate and clodronate).
