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NCI Drug Dictionary


alendronate sodium 
The sodium salt of alendronate, a second generation bisphosphonate and synthetic analog of pyrophosphate with bone anti-resorption activity. Alendronate sodium binds to and inhibits the activity of geranyltranstransferase (farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase), an enzyme involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. Inhibition of this enzyme prevents the biosynthesis of isoprenoid lipids (FPP and GGPP) that are donor substrates of farnesylation and geranylgeranylation during the post-translational modification of small GTPase signalling proteins, which is important in the process of osteoclast turnover. As a result, osteoclast activity is inhibited and bone resorption and turnover are reduced. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonyms:Alendronate
Alendronic Acid Monosodium Salt Trihydrate
US brand name:Fosamax
Foreign brand names:Adronat
Alendros
Onclast
Code names:G-704650
MK-217