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The strategies to promote strong bones are
necessary for all individuals but not enough for everyone. In addition, some
individuals need to take medication to reduce bone loss and/or
prevent fractures. |
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Your
doctor or healthcare provider will review your medical history and
assess many factors to determine your need for osteoporosis
medication. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF, 2008) the indications for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men ages 50 years and older are as follows:
- Individuals with a hip or spine fracture
- Individuals with osteoporosis (a bone density test result of a T-score equal to or greater than -2.5 at the hip or spine).
- Individuals with low bone mass may be considered for treatment depending upon the number and severity of risk factors including risk factors for hip fracture that are independent of BMD test results. To find out more about your personal risk factors click on the
appropriate NYSOPEP Osteoporosis Risk Assessment: for "Premenopausal Women", for "Postmenopausal Women or for "Men".
- FRAX results: Some healthcare providers are using FRAX, a computerized tool, as part of the decision-making process to determine the need for treatment in the management of postmenopausal women and men age 50 and older with untreated osteoporosis or low bone mass. FRAX uses the BMD T-score from the hip and assesses several risk factors to determine an individual's 10-year probability of a hip fracture or a major fracture related to osteoporosis. The NOF guidelines recommend treatment forIindividuals who have FRAX results indicating a 10 year probability of a hip fracture equal to or greater than 3% or a 10 year probability of a major osteoporosis-related fracture equal to or greater than 20%.
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Osteoporosis medications are rarely indicated for premenopausal women and men under age 50. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) your medical doctor/and or osteoporosis specialist should be consulted if you
- have a history of a broken bone occurring without major trauma or impact such as an automobile accident
- take glucocorticoids (steroid medications such as prednisone or cortisone) for longer than 3 months
- have bone loss due to a rare medical condition
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If
you have had a spine or hip fracture, you are at high risk for future
fractures. It is important to keep following the universal strategies for strong bones. However, to prevent future fractures, osteoporosis medication is usually needed. |
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There
are several osteoporosis medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). |
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No medication could ever be approved to manage osteoporosis without the commitment of individuals willing to participate in randomized, clinical controlled trials. |
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It
is important to discuss all of the potential benefits and risks of
taking any osteoporosis medication with your healthcare provider. Before
and during treatment with any osteoporosis medication, it is important
to tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all of the medications you take,
including prescription and nonprescription medications, herbal
supplements, and vitamins.
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Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are
minimally invasive procedures used to help relieve pain and strengthen
a broken bone in the spine. These medical procedures
may be an option for
individuals with severe and persistent pain from recent spine fracture who do not get pain relief
from the conventional treatments. |
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It
is important to be aware that there are alternative or over-the-counter
products claiming to treat osteoporosis. These are based solely on testimonials and lack
scientific evidence about effectiveness and safety. The
risks of over-the-counter treatments are not known. |
