Medications

There are several medications that may increase the risk for osteoporosis by either reducing peak bone mass (when the medication is taken during youth or young adulthood) or increasing bone loss.

• A checklist of the medications known to be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis follows. This is a list of those medications commonly associated with increased risk for osteoporosis. However, it is important to be aware that research is ongoing and there may be other medications found to contribute to osteoporosis.
  
  
• Although the medications listed below may increase your risk for bone loss and/or osteoporosis, taking these medications does not mean that you have or will get the disease. However, the fact that you need one of these medications should increase your awareness of the potential for bone loss and should motivate you to discuss your concerns with your medical professional.

Medication Risk Assessment

Are you taking or have you taken any of the following medications?

• Steroids (such as prednisone or cortisone) used for more than 3 months to treat asthma, arthritis or other diseases/conditions
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (such as lupron and zoladex) used to treat endometriosis or prostate cancer
• Thyroid medications, taken in high dosages, or lack of routine blood tests for TSH-level monitoring
• Dilantin (phenytoin), depakote. and some of the other medications used to treat seizure disorder or depression
• Some types of chemotherapy
• Immunosuppressants (such as methotrexate or cyclosporin)
• Blood thinning agents when necessary for chronic use (such as long-term use of coumadin or heparin)

If you take any of the above medications that are commonly associated with bone loss, it is important to speak to your medical professional about how to protect your bones. You may want to ask your medical professional if there is another medication that can safely control your condition, or if the dosage of your medication can be reduced without compromising your overall health. However, there may be no other medication to manage your condition and it may be necessary to continue on a medication that is commonly associated with bone loss or osteoporosis. If so, speak to your medical professional about prescribing the lowest dose of the medication needed for the shortest time necessary to control your condition.

Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis should always include a well-balanced diet, adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, safety precautions for fall prevention, avoidance of tobacco products and limited consumption of alcohol. After careful review of your medical history and risk factors for osteoporosis, your medical professional may recommend a bone mineral density (BMD) test when appropriate. If osteoporosis is diagnosed, you still must continue to make bone healthy lifestyle choices. However, lifestyle modifications alone are often not enough for individuals taking long-term steroid medications or postmenopausal women and men with osteoporosis. Your medical professional may tell you that you need an osteoporosis medication to help stop further bone loss and to reduce your risk for broken bones.