1. A class of drugs that slow bone loss and are used to treat osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and certain cancers.
Usage: medical/pharmaceutical term; often used in plural form; commonly abbreviated as BP

Examples

• Her doctor prescribed a bisphosphonate to strengthen her bones after her osteoporosis diagnosis.
• Bisphosphonates work by inhibiting osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone.
• The patient took a weekly bisphosphonate tablet to prevent further bone density loss.
• Bisphosphonates are often recommended for postmenopausal women at risk of fractures.
• Common side effects of bisphosphonates include gastrointestinal upset and jaw pain.
• The research team studied how bisphosphonates affect cancer cells in bone metastases.