Long-Term Effect of Osteoporosis Drugs

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to degenerate and increases the risk of bone fractures, especially in the hips. Postmenopausal women are most at risk for osteoporosis and are often advised to take drugs to prevent osteoporosis. These drugs can have serious side effects and long-term health risks.

BRONJ

• One of the long-term effects of osteoporosis drugs is BRONJ, or bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, which causes jaw pain, tooth degeneration and caving in of the gums.

Esophagus

• Osteoporosis drugs can irritate the esophagus, leading to long-term conditions such as ulcers and esophageal cancer.

Fractures

• Long-term use of osteoporosis drugs might actually increase the risk of fractures, and the risk increases the longer you take the drugs.

Osteoclasts

• Osteoclasts are the blood cells responsible for breaking down bones. The most common class of osteoporosis drugs, bisphosphonates, alters the osteoclasts to work less efficiently, but this can cause permanent damage, impairing healthy bone function for life.

Considerations

• Other osteoporosis drugs, such as calcitonin, Forteo and Tamoxifen, might be safer alternatives to the more popular osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax and Boniva.