Osteoporosis Meds and Heart Rhythm

Published by Aetna InteliHealth

Two bone-building drugs may be linked to irregular heart rhythms. The drugs -- Reclast and Fosamax -- belong to the class of medications known as biphosphonates. Two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine found more incidences of irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation among women taking the medications than those who weren't. One study looked at over 7,700 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Those taking Reclast annual intravenous infusions had more than double the risk of serious heart rhythm abnormalities compared to women not taking the drug. The second study involving over 6,400 women found that daily Fosamax increased the risk of developing atrial fibrillation by 50%. The researchers say the overall risk is small, and women at risk for bone breaks should continue with medication. However, the studies' findings might affect whether women already at risk for atrial fibrillation are prescribed the drugs, The Associated Press reports. It's not known whether the risk applies to other biphosphonates, the AP says. Reclast has not yet been approved to treat osteoporosis; it is used for another bone condition called Paget's disease.