Greater preference and better satisfaction with alendronate 70 mg weekly versus alendronate 10 daily for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

In the treatment of osteoporosis one or more medications must be taken at least once daily for many years. The goal of the study was to assess the factors that influence the preference for medication both of the patients and the doctors, and patients\' adherence to suggestions of their doctors. Also satisfaction with the treatment of the women in the selected osteoporotic population and influence of educational program on patients and doctors cooperation in the treatment process have been investigated. It was observed that the doctors order medications taking into account their efficiency, safety, convenience of usage and the price. The same criteria affect the patients choice. The patients prefer the treatment with alendronate 70 mg as it is more convenient. They are more satisfied with once a week dosage of medication. The patients who are educated about osteoporosis are less willing to give up the treatment with alendronate 70mg than alendronate 10mg. The side effects occur less frequently while taking alendronate 70 mg once a week than alendronate 10 mg once daily. We concluded that the preference and satisfaction with the treatment of osteoporosis are strongly greater for \"once a week\" manner of alendronate dosage than taking of medication every day.