Studies suggest that optimal vitamin D status is required for the maximal effect of antiresorptive agents. We investigated the relationship between vitamin D status, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, and change in bone mineral density (BMD) following iv zoledronate and denosumab. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 111 patients, mean age 70 (SD 13) years, 89 women and 22 men, prescribed zoledronate and 43 postmenopausal women treated with denosumab for osteoporosis. We measured BMD at the lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH), serum 25 (OH) vitamin D, PTH, and bone turnover markers (plasma CTX, P1NP) at 1 year. In patients on zoledronate, BMD increased at the LS and TH (mean LS change [SEM] = 2.6 % [0.5 %], mean TH change = 1.05 % [0.5 %], p < 0.05). A significant increase in BMD was seen at the LS only in the denosumab group (p = 0.001). Significant decreases in CTX and P1NP were observed at 12 months in both treatment groups. At baseline and at 12 months, 34 % and 23 % of the patients on zoledronate had a serum vitamin D of <50 nmol/L, respectively. The mean PTH concentration in patients with 25 (OH) vitamin D <50 nmol/L was 44 ng/L (SEM 16.6). Patients with PTH concentration <44 ng/L had significantly higher increases in TH BMD compared to those with PTH >44 ng/L (zoledronate 1.9 [0.83] vs. -0.43 [0.81], p = 0.04; denosumab 4.1 [0.054] vs. -1.7 [0.04], p = 0.004). Optimal vitamin D status and PTH concentrations improve the skeletal response to zoledronate and denosumab.