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Weekly Fosamax (Alendronate) Shows Benefits Over Daily Evista (Raloxifene) for Bone density and Bone Turnover Markers at 6 Months: Presented at AGS

By Roberta Friedman

LAS VEGAS, NV -- May 21, 2004 -- Weekly dosing with Fosamax (alendronate) was more effective in boosting bone density and markers of bone turnover at 6 months, than daily raloxifene, according to a placebo controlled randomized trial presented here May 20^th at the American Geriatric Society Annual Meeting.

Presenting the findings on behalf of the EFFECT trial investigator, Douglas Kiel, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, said that this is the first head to head comparison of the two treatments in the United States. A prior study was conducted in Sweden using daily dosing for both drugs.

At 1 year, lumbar spine density increased by 4.4% with alendronate and 1.9% with raloxifene (P < .001). The difference was statistically significant by 6 months, as was the increase in density at the hip.

"Alendronate might be expected to reduce fracture incidence more than raloxifene, although further studies are needed," said Dr. Kiel, adding, "The group in this study was straddling the prevention-treatment threshold" for osteoporosis."

The significant difference in bone density favoring alendronate appeared in the lumbar spine, hip overall and trocanter, but not for the neck of the femur. Markers significantly skewed towards better bone characteristics as compared to baseline (P < .001 at 6 months for both drugs effects on both markers).

Adverse effects did not significantly differ between treatments, Dr. Kiel said.

The EFFECT trial was funded by Merck and Lilly,


[Presentation title: "Efficacy of Fosamax vs Evista Comparison Trial (EFFECT) in postmenopausal women: results of a randomized, multicenter study." Abstract A35.]

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