What is a potential adverse effect associated with bisphosphonates?

What is a potential adverse effect associated with bisphosphonates?

• A. Increased hair growth
• B. Weight gain
• C. Gastrointestinal issues and potential for osteonecrosis of the jaw
• D. Improved night vision

Answer: (C)

Bisphosphonates reduce bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclasts, which helps treat osteoporosis and similar conditions. A key safety consideration is their potential to cause gastrointestinal irritation, especially when taken by mouth—esophageal irritation, reflux, and esophagitis can occur if the pill isn’t taken with enough water or if the patient lies down soon after swallowing. In addition, a more serious but less common adverse effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw, particularly with IV formulations used in cancer therapy or after dental procedures, where jawbone tissue can die if healing is impaired. These two issues—GI upset and the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw—are the typical adverse effects associated with bisphosphonates, which is why that option is the best choice. The other options don’t fit: hair growth, weight gain, and night vision changes are not typical adverse effects of these drugs.

Bisphosphonates reduce bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclasts, which helps treat osteoporosis and similar conditions. A key safety consideration is their potential to cause gastrointestinal irritation, especially when taken by mouth—esophageal irritation, reflux, and esophagitis can occur if the pill isn’t taken with enough water or if the patient lies down soon after swallowing. In addition, a more serious but less common adverse effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw, particularly with IV formulations used in cancer therapy or after dental procedures, where jawbone tissue can die if healing is impaired. These two issues—GI upset and the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw—are the typical adverse effects associated with bisphosphonates, which is why that option is the best choice. The other options don’t fit: hair growth, weight gain, and night vision changes are not typical adverse effects of these drugs.