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How Long Should I Take Osteoporosis Medicine?

Osteoporosis is an age-related disease that causes the degeneration of bone. Bones can become so brittle that even the smallest amount of activity or exertion can lead to a fracture. Typically, women of post-menopausal age get osteoporosis, but it can occur in men and younger women as well. Most osteoporosis-related fractures occur in the hips, spine and wrist. What medications you need to take, and how long you need to take them, depend on how severe your condition is.

  1. Bone Mineral Density Test

    • A bone mineral density (BMD) test analyzes the density of your bones, and the likelihood of incurring bone fractures. It is recommended to have a BMD test if you are a postmenopausal woman, a man over the age of 50 with some risk factors, or a premenopausal woman with a broken bone and risk factors for osteoporosis.

    Normal Bone Mineral Density

    • If you qualify for having a BMD test but it is determined that your bone density is normal, the National Osteoporosis Foundation has issued recommendations to take supplements of calcium and Vitamin D on a daily basis. Though these supplements are not specifically osteoporosis medications, they help prevent the development of the disease. There's no reason to stop taking vitamins and supplements since they benefit your health in other ways.

    Low Bone Density

    • Low bone density, also called osteopenia, refers to a stage that puts you at higher risk for developing full-blown osteoporosis. The NOF recommends that people diagnosed with osteopenia take an osteoporosis medication only when they have specific risk factors, like a genetic disposition to the disease; if they have diabetes; are smokers; drink alcohol; or exercise rarely, if ever. Yearly BMD testing will indicate if your bones have become dense enough to consider discontinuing medication.

    Osteoporosis

    • If your BMD score classifies you as having osteoporosis, the NOF recommends taking a medication to increase bone density and reduce the chance of fracturing a bone. Once diagnosed with osteoporosis, especially for those in high-risk groups, like postmenopausal women and diabetics, the possibility of dying after breaking a bone due to a fall is a big enough concern for the NOF to suggest remaining on medication indefinitely.

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