Risk Factor Reduction

FDA Approved Medications

Alendronate sodium (Fosamax)

Calcitonin-salmon (Miacalcin)

Estrogen Therapy / Hormone Therapy

Ibandronate sodium (Boniva)

Risedronate sodium (Actonel)

Raloxifene hydrochloride (Evista)

Teriparatide (Forteo)

Zoledronic acid (Reclast)

Other Treatments

Treatment for Osteoporosis

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.
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%.

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
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.
There are several osteoporosis medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
No medication could ever be approved to manage osteoporosis without the commitment of individuals willing to participate in randomized, clinical controlled trials.

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.

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.
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.






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The advice or information contained on these pages should NOT be construed as medical advice. Consult with your doctor or health care provider about your individual needs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

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