Bisphosphonates – antiresorptive drugs with analgesic effect?

Bisphosphonates are antiresorptive drugs, which provide first-line defence against osteoporosis. Every year there are more and more reports regarding their beneficial action, targeted not only at achieving better bone mineral density but also at improving bone microarchitecture, resistance and, consequently, its quality. The final effect of the systematic use of bisphosphonates is reduction of bone fracture risk. Coexisting pain is a big problem for patients with osteoporosis. Even if the analgesic effects of bisphosphonates have not yet been completely proven, a number of patients have reported a considerable improvement in the course of the therapy. This study summarises the knowledge collected so far on bisphosphonates, with particular consideration of the possible mechanisms of their analgesic action.