Table of Contents
Medications
Two types of drugs are used to prevent and treat osteoporosis:
- Antiresorptive Drugs. Antiresorptives include bisphosphonates, hormone replacement therapy, selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs), and calcitonin. Bisphosphonates are the standard drugs used for osteoporosis. Denosumab (Prolia) is a new type of antiresorptive. These drugs block resorption (preventing bone break down), which slows the rate of bone remodeling, but they cannot rebuild bone. Because resorption and reformation occur naturally as a continuous process, blocking resorption may eventually also reduce bone formation.
- Anabolic (Bone-Forming) Drugs. Drugs that rebuild bone are known as anabolics. The primary anabolic drug is low-dose parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is administered through injections. This drug may help restore bone and prevent fractures. PTH is still relatively new, and long-term effects are still unknown. Fluoride is another bone-building drug, but it has limitations and is not commonly used.
Both types of drugs are effective in preventing bone loss and fractures, although they may cause different types of side effects.
Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonates are the primary drugs for preventing and treating osteoporosis. They can help reduce the risk of both spinal and hip fractures, including among patients with prior bone breaks.
Studies indicate that these drugs are effective and safe for up to 5 years. Eventually, however, bone loss continues with bisphosphonates. This may be due to the fact that bone breakdown is one of two phases in a continuous process of rebuilding bone. Over time, blocking resorption interrupts this process and impairs the second half of the process -- bone formation.
Candidates. Clinical guidelines recommend that the following people should take or consider taking bisphosphonates:
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Review Date: 10/21/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
