Length of Bisphosphonate Use: When to Take a Break
Official title: Calculator for Length of Use of Bisphosphonates (CLUB)
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11367456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-science team is studying how long people over 65 should use bisphosphonates to prevent broken bones, aiming to balance benefits with rare side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,101,056 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079118-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who are current or former users of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not using bisphosphonates or those without osteoporosis would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you are 65 or older and taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, this project looks at how long treatment should continue and whether taking a break (drug holiday) is safe. Researchers will use large patient data from Kaiser Permanente to compare fracture risk and rare side effects like unusual thigh fractures and jaw problems. The study aims to help doctors give clearer, personalized guidance on stopping or continuing therapy after several years. The goal is to improve both bone protection and quality of life for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to clearer, personalized guidelines on how long to stay on bisphosphonates and when a drug holiday might be appropriate.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have explored risks and timing of drug holidays, but evidence remains limited and this study seeks to strengthen guidance with large, real-world data.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carbone, Laura D — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Carbone, Laura D
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.