The present invention provides novel
solid pharmaceutical dosage forms for
oral administration comprising a
bisphosphonate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which
bisphosphonate is present in an amount not therapeutically effective when the
bisphosphonate is orally administered alone; and a modified
amino acid carrier, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which modified
amino acid carrier is present in an amount effective to facilitate absorption of the bisphosphonate in the
gastrointestinal tract such that the bisphosphonate is therapeutically effective. The ratio of bisphosphonate to modified
amino acid carrier is from about 1:30 to about 1:1, respectively. These novel
solid pharmaceutical dosage forms are useful in the treatment or control of bone diseases and particular disorders in
calcium metabolism, including, for example,
osteoporosis, hypercalcaemia of
cancer, and the treatment of metastatic
bone pain. The present invention also provides a method for treating these diseases employing the
solid pharmaceutical dosage forms and a method for preparing the pharmaceutical dosage forms.