A drug holiday from bisphosphonate therapy is a valid strategy in osteoporosis management
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 88/100
A drug holiday from bisphosphonate therapy is a well-established and valid strategy in osteoporosis management, helping to reduce rare adverse events in low- to moderate-risk patients while leveraging the drugs' long skeletal retention.
Evidence for · 5
Safety issues with bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis
2013 · cited by 141
Supports a drug holiday after 5 years for low-risk patients to mitigate rare adverse effects like atypical femoral fracture.
See more details
More for · 4
Bisphosphonates for treatment of osteoporosis: expected benefits, potential harms, and drug holidays.
2014 · cited by 139
Indicates that drug holidays are appropriate for low- to moderate-risk patients after 3 to 5 years of bisphosphonate therapy.
Bisphosphonates in the Management of Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis; Back to the Future.
2025 · cited by 3
Explains that bisphosphonates persist in the skeleton after discontinuation, validating drug holidays as a way to reduce rare adverse events while maintaining therapeutic effects.
Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: An Evidence-Based 2025 Position Statement from a Korean Multidisciplinary Task Force.
2025 · cited by 1
Recommends prescriptive drug holidays, such as a 2-month pause for oral bisphosphonates, to minimize surgical complication risks like osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Impact of a Bisphosphonate Drug Holiday on the Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Osteoporosis
2021 · cited by 1
Examines bisphosphonate drug holidays and concludes they are a viable strategy that should be cautiously considered and individualized based on patient risk.