Question
Bisphosphonates
Q7 3 marks Short Notes ★ ✓
Answer
Examples: Alendronate, Risedronate, Zoledronic acid, Pamidronate
Mechanism of action
Bind to hydroxyapatite at sites of active bone resorption; taken up by osteoclasts, they inhibit farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, disrupting osteoclast function and promoting apoptosis — reducing bone resorption
Uses
Osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, hypercalcaemia of malignancy, bone metastases
Adverse effects
Oesophagitis (oral use)
Osteonecrosis of the jaw
Atypical femoral fractures (long-term)
Acute phase reaction (IV use)
Hypocalcaemia
1 Drugs for Disorders of Calcium Balance
Other Years Asked
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of presence of a large thrombus in leg veins. 2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 4 Bisphosphonates 2014 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 5 Bisphosphonates 2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 6 Mention two important uses and adverse effects of glucocorticoids. 2017 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 7 Treatment of Paget’s disease 2016 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 8 List two advantages of low molecular weight heparin over standard heparin 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 9 Bisphosphonates 2014 March (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 10 Treatment of osteoporosis 2017 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 11 Osteoporosis. 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 12 Alendronate in osteoporosis management 2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 13 Bisphosphonates. 2025 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 14 Bisphosphonates 2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 15 Bisphosphonates 2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 16 Bisphosphonates used in postmenopausal Osteoporosis. 2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 17 Drugs used for osteoporosis 2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks 18 Vitamin D preparations 2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks 19 Drugs for treating Osteoporosis. 2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks 
