Medication for Osteopenia

Osteopenia is when a person's bone material density (BMD) is lower than the normal level. BMD is not low enough to be called osteoporosis but the density is below normal. A T-score between +1 and -1 is normal bone density. A T-score between -1 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia, whereas a T-score of -2.5 or lower is osteoporosis. There is a great risk that if you have osteopenia then you will develop osteoporosis. The condition can be treated with medications prescribed by a doctor.

Calcitonin

• Calcitonin is a medication used to inhibit the progress of osteopenia that can be given by nasal spray or injection. The medicine has few side effects, the main one being a runny nose.

Strontium Ranelate Protelos

• Strontium ranelate protelos is a relatively new drug but has the ability to both stimulate the osteoblasts and inhibit the osteoclasts. Osteblasts are cells that forms new bones, while osteoclasts are cells that destroy bone. The drug stimulates the cells that grow bone and stops those that destroy it.

Bisphosphonates

• Bisphosphonates are a common form of medication used to treat osteopenia. Bisphosphonates bind to the mineral in the bone and interfere with the osteopenia. The main two bisphosphonates are alendronate (Fosamax) or risedronate (Actonel) and are taken by pills.Three other bisphosphonates are taken by infusion--aclasta, reclast and zometa. Some doctors prefer these three over the first two mentioned.

Forteo and Teriparatide

• A patient can be prescribed Forteo or Teriparatide to help with osteoporosis; sometimes, a doctor will prescribe these medications to treat osteopenia.

Ipriflavone

• Ipriflavone is a natural supplement in some countries, while in other countries it is a prescription drug marketed under different names to treat osteopenia. In Europe, Ipriflavone is protelos or strontium ranelate.