What is the primary use of bisphosphonates in medicine?

Bisphosphonates are primarily used in medicine for the treatment of osteoporosis. These medications work by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, which helps to increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures in individuals with weakened bones, particularly postmenopausal women or those on long-term corticosteroids. By promoting bone strengthening, bisphosphonates are critical in managing the long-term health of patients at risk for osteoporotic fractures.

The other options—relieving acute pain, managing anxiety, and treating infections—are not the primary functions of bisphosphonates. Pain relief usually involves analgesics or anti-inflammatory medications, anxiety is generally treated with anxiolytics or therapy, and infections are typically addressed with antibiotics or antivirals. Hence, bisphosphonates specifically target bone health, distinguishing their primary use from these other areas of medical treatment.