| These days there are many drug treatments | | | | "Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators". Raloxifene |
| available for osteoporosis. The different options can | | | | (Evista®) is a SERM that is prescribed to |
| be confusing even if you are under the care of an | | | | postmenopausal women for osteoporosis treatment |
| excellent physician. Many of us want to be active in | | | | and prevention. Raloxifene acts like estrogen in |
| our treatment planning. This easy guide will give you | | | | maintaining bone density and reducing the risk of |
| an overview of osteoporosis drug therapies. Some of | | | | spinal fractures. It provides some of the positive |
| these drugs are prescribed to both osteoporosis | | | | effects of estrogen without some of the negative |
| patients and people with a low bone density condition | | | | side effects, such as risk of breast cancer. |
| called "osteopenia". | | | | - HORMONE THERAPY (HT): There are many brands |
| Knowing how bones work is a key to understanding | | | | of estrogen/progesterone therapy, commonly |
| osteoporosis medications. Bones cells are constantly | | | | prescribed to relieve symptoms of menopause. HT is |
| breaking down and being replaced by new cells. | | | | used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in |
| Bone-forming cells are called "osteoblasts" and | | | | postmenopausal women. HT slows bone breakdown |
| bone-destroying cells are called "osteoclasts". When | | | | by increasing estrogen levels. |
| we have osteoporosis, bone breakdown is faster | | | | - CALCITONIN: Drugs in this category include |
| than bone growth. Medications help turn this process | | | | Fortical® and Miacalcin®. Calcitonin is a |
| around by slowing bone breakdown or promoting | | | | hormone made by the thyroid gland that controls |
| bone growth. | | | | bone destroyer cells. It slows bone loss and helps |
| There are two types of osteoporosis medications: | | | | prevent spinal fractures. It is prescribed only to |
| antiresorptive drugs and anabolic drugs. Antiresorptive | | | | persons with osteoporosis, usually to women who |
| drugs slow down the process of bone breakdown. | | | | are at least five years beyond menopause. |
| An anabolic drug increases the rate of bone growth. | | | | - TERIPARATIDE: Teriparatide (Forteio®) is the |
| The only drug to be approved in the anabolic | | | | only bone-forming medication. It is a type of |
| category is Teriparatide. | | | | parathyroid hormone, prescribed to men and |
| Following is a brief introduction to osteoporosis | | | | postmenopausal women with at high fracture risk. |
| medications: | | | | Your risk of fracture is considered high when you |
| - BISPHOSPHONATES: Drugs in this category include | | | | have a recent fracture and your bone density |
| Alendronate Sodium (Fosamax®), Ibandronate | | | | T-score is less than -3.0. Teriparatide cannot be taken |
| Sodium (Bonival®), Risedronate Sodium | | | | for more than 18 to 24 months. |
| (Actonel®), and Zoledronic Acid (Reclast®). | | | | Use this guide to do further research and to help you |
| These drugs are used for prevention and treatment. | | | | ask questions. Having an overview of prescription |
| They slow bone breakdown by attaching to bone | | | | medications will help you to understand your doctor's |
| surfaces. These drugs are prescribed to | | | | recommendations. Choosing the right treatment is a |
| post-menopausal women, men, and people taking | | | | process. You may have to try different drugs and |
| steroid medications. SERMs: SERMs stands for | | | | dosages before you find the best approach for you. |