Thursday, March 26, 2009 Susan Smith Dorsey asks

Q: Are there benefits to Forteo?

Forteo has been on the market for a relatively short period of time, and from what I have read does have some huge side effects. My mother, who has rheumatoid arthritis and will be 89 in May, has been prescribed daily shots for the next two years. I would like to know if there are truly benefits that will be seen by her while she under goes this treatment. Without seeming to be uncaring, I am trying to determine if a person who is at this stage of their life will truly realize increased bone density. Thank you.

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Answers (3)

Pam Flores, Health Guide

3/26/09 4:34pm

Hi Susan: I understand your reluctance with forteo, but if it were to prevent a fracture for someone of your mom's age I think it's definitely worth it.

I did really well on Forteo going from severe osteoporosis to osteopenia and normal bmd in the first year. I didn't have any side effects and found the injection really simple. Since your mom is older, she may or may not need help with the injection, but many people of her age have been able to handle this daily.

Forteo has been on the market since 2002, which may not seem like a long time, but it was studied for many years prior to that before it was approved. We have known about the effects of parathyroid hormone on bones for a very long time going back pre-1930's but what we didn't know was the paradoxical affect *intermittent* parathyroid hormone has on bone growth. Our parathyroid glands release this hormone on a regular basis, but scientists found out that using a small amount daily by injection had this wonderful bone building effect. What we take in the injection is a man made form of PTH (parathyroid hormone) in a small dose for a short time frame (2 years).

If you are concerned that this medication is too expensive, or not much of a benefit for someone your mom's age, I would talk to her Dr. and see how many other patients they have that are in her age range that did well on it. Of course some people do have side effects, but I wasn't one of them, and the numbers of those with little or no side effects seem to outweigh those who experience problems.

Think it through and do your reading and I'm sure you decide what's best for your mom. Good luck... Please read the Cleveland Clinic PDF Larry posted it's an excellent explanation on how this drug/hormone works.

larry

3/26/09 2:25pm

Hi Susan, Pam Flores (see the Osteoporosis home page) has written about Forteo and has experience taking it. She also mentions this article: http://www.ccjm.org/content/70/7/585.full.pdf+html?sid=9e07cee4-b325-4378-af70-e4b2c0b570f2

This is a very good overview on Forteo.

I think Forteo is highly effective and unlike other osteoporosis drugs actually builds bone and the result is significant. From what I read Forteo is very good regarding side effects and I think they are few. My doctor and I both agree that Forteo is our first choice of treatment for me, but the problem is whether insurance will pay. This treatment is quite expensive.

It would seem that your mother's doctor thinks a course of Forteo would be beneficial. It will build bone. However, this drug is for those who have osteoporosis and are at risk for bone fracture or already have bone fracture(s). It isn't for rheumatoid arthritis as far as I know.

So you will need to make sure why the doctor wants to give your mother Forteo as it is for treating osteoporosis.

I hope this helps.

Larry

Pam Flores, Health Guide

3/26/09 4:40pm

Hi Larry: Thanks so much for your input, it's greatly appreciated by me and I'm sure all the other members. I feel that it's much better to get several perspectives on any issue, so your help is fantastic!!

If you don't mind jumping in on any questions, please do so, because you can help us all with your unique viewpoint and concern.

Thanks again...

Q: Are there benefits to Forteo?

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