Osteoporosis

Thin bones

The goals of osteoporosis treatment are to:

• Control pain from the disease
• Slow down or stop bone loss
• Prevent bone fractures with medicines that strengthen bone
• Minimize the risk of falls that might cause fractures

There are several different treatments for osteoporosis, including a variety of medications.

BISPHOSPHONATES

Bisphosphonates are a type of drug used for both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Several bisphosphonates are approved for the treatment of osteoporosis in the United States, including alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel). Most are taken by mouth, usually once a week or once a month. Bisphosphonates given through a vein (intravenously) are taken less often.

CALCITONIN

Calcitonin is a medicine that slows the rate of bone loss and relieves bone pain. It comes as a nasal spray or injection. The main side effects are nasal irritation from the spray form and nausea from the injectable form.

While calcitonin slows bone loss and reduces the risk of fractures, it appears to be less effective than bisphosphonates.

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Estrogens are still used to prevent osteoporosis but are not approved to treat a woman who has already been diagnosed with the condition.

Sometimes, if estrogen has helped a woman, and she cannot take other options for preventing or treating osteoporosis, the doctor may recommend she continue using hormone therapy. If you are considering taking hormone therapy to prevent osteoporosis, discuss the risks with your doctor.

Over the past decade, several major studies evaluated the health benefits and the risks of hormone therapy, including the risk of developing breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Evidence from these studies raised concerns for an increased risk for stroke, heart disease, breast cancer, and blood clots, depending on several factors that include the types of hormones used

Some women may still wish to consider hormone therapy for short-term treatment of menopausal symptoms. The key is to weigh the risks associated with taking hormone therapy against a particular woman's risk of heart disease or osteoporosis without taking hormone therapy. Other factors to consider include: