Quoted from http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1155306--osteoporosis-drugs-increase-risk-of-eye-disease-says-canadian-study
Osteoporosis drugs increase risk of eye disease, says Canadian study
Published On Mon Apr 2 2012
Theresa Boyle Health Reporter
New Canadian research shows that osteoporosis drugs can increase the risk of serious eye disease.
The findings will no doubt fuel an ongoing debate about whether too many people, particularly post-menopausal women, are being prescribed oral bisphosphonates, said lead author, Dr. Mahyar Etminan, from the University of British Columbia.
The study, published online Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, reveals that the incidence of the inflammatory eye diseases, uveitis and scleritis, is significantly higher for first-time users of these drugs than for non-users.
Oral bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed class of drugs used to prevent osteoporosis. They go by such brand names as Fosamax, Actonel and Didrocal and are typically prescribed to post-menopausal women at risk of osteoporosis.