women hit pause button on osteoporosis drugs

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This article was just published in today's Chicago Tribune although in the LA times Nov.8
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Doctors suggest that women hit pause button on osteoporosis drugs
Many patients have taken medications that include bisphosphonates for years. Doctors are debating how long people should take them. Recent studies point to health risks and problems linked to long-term use.
November 08, 2010|By Shari Roan, Los Angeles Times

With the launch of the first prescription osteoporosis medication 15 years ago, millions of Americans with the bone-thinning disease began taking the drugs and never looked back.

But now many bone-health doctors are looking back and becoming increasingly uneasy.

In the last few years, evidence has emerged that long-term use of osteoporosis drugs - particularly the oldest class of drugs, the bisphosphonates - may do more harm than good. Some doctors are starting to tell at least some of their patients to stop taking the drugs for a time - in other words, to take a "drug holiday."

Rest of article follow link: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/08/health/la-he-osteoporosis-20101108 

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