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Generic Medication for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disorder which causes bones to become weak and brittle. This can cause severe pain, as well as bone fractures. Osteoporosis can, however, be treated and prevented with generic medication.

  1. Purpose

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, the purpose of osteoporosis drugs are to help slow bone loss and maintain bone mass.

    Generic Drugs

    • Pharmaceutical companies apply for patents which allow them to be the sole producers of a certain drug. Once the patent expires, other manufacturers can begin to produce a generic version of the drug, which is a chemical equivalent of the brand-name drug and usually just as effective.

    FDA Requirements for Generic Drugs

    • According to Dr. Neil Gonter of OsteoporosisConnection.com, to gain FDA approval, a generic drug must contain the same active ingredients as the innovator drug; be identical in strength, dosage and route of administration; have the same use indications; be bio equivalent; meet the same batch requirements; and be manufactured under the same standards of FDA's good manufacturing practice regulations for innovator products.

    Available Generic Drugs

    • In 2008, a generic Fosamax was released. Fosamax has been one of the most popular drugs to treat osteoporosis and is one of the 100 most frequently dispensed drugs in the United States. For a comprehensive list of generic drugs for osteoporosis, see the "Resources" link below.

    Concerns

    • While the active ingredients are the same, inactive ingredients may vary between innovator drugs and their counterparts. This means some people who can tolerate the innovator drug might not be able to tolerate the generic one. As always, consult your doctor before changing medications.

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