Claims for Patent: 6,432,932

Summary for Patent: 6,432,932

Title:	Method for inhibiting bone resorption
Abstract:	Disclosed are methods for inhibiting bone resorption in mammals while minimizing the occurrence of or potential for adverse gastrointestinal effects. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and kits for carrying out the therapeutic methods disclosed herein.
Inventor(s):	Daifotis; Anastasia G. (Westfield, NJ), Santora, II; Arthur C. (Watchung, NJ), Yates; A. John (Westfield, NJ)
Assignee:	Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ)
Application Number:	09/388,659
Patent Claims:	1. A method for treating or preventing osteoporosis in a mammal, said method comprising orally administering to said mammal a pharmaceutically effective amount of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof as a unit dosage according to a continuous schedule having a dosing interval selected from the group consisting of once-weekly dosing, twice-weekly dosing, biweekly dosing, and twice-monthly dosing. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said mammal is a human. 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said dosing interval is once-weekly. 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said unit dosage comprises from about 3.5 mg to about 200 mg, on an acid active basis, of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof. 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate. 6. A method according to claim 4 wherein said unit dosage comprises about 35 mg, on an acid active basis, of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof. 7. A method according to claim 4 wherein said unit dosage comprises about 40 mg, on an acid active basis, of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof. 8. A method according to claim 4 wherein said unit dosage comprises about 45 mg, on an acid active basis, of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof. 9. A method according to claim 4 wherein said unit dosage comprises about 50 mg, on an acid active basis, of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof. 10. A method according to claim 6 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate. 11. A method according to claim 7 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate. 12. A method according to claim 8 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate. 13. A method according to claim 9 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate. 14. A method according to claim 3 wherein said unit dosage comprises about 1.5 to about 6000 .mu.g/kg body weight of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof. 15. A method according to claim 3 wherein said unit dosage comprises about 10 to about 2000 .mu.g/kg body weight of risedronate, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and mixtures thereof. 16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate. 17. A method according to claim 15 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is risedronate monosodium hemi-pentahydrate. 18. A method according to any one of claims 1-17 wherein said unit dosage is in the form of a tablet. 19. A method according to any one of claims 1-17 wherein said unit dosage is in the form of a capsule. 20. A method according to any one of claims 1-17 wherein said unit dosage is in the form of a liquid.