Long-term bisphosphonate therapy and atypical femoral fracture: Can you have too much of a good thing?
Walker LE., Cooper C.
The long-term, continuous use of bisphosphonates (beyond 5 years) is not wholly without risk. Atypical femoral fracture is an uncommon but potentially very serious adverse event associated with the long-term use of bisphosphonates. Here we consider the complexities of long-term bisphosphonate prescribing, particularly in those that are low risk of osteoporotic fracture, wherein the duration of therapy should be reviewed regularly with individualised risk assessment to ensure the duration of treatment is appropriate.