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List of FDA Approved Medications for Osteoporosis Prevention

Several types of prescription medications can help people prevent osteoporosis. Each of the classes of medications work in different ways to maintain and restore bone mass, and some of the classes contain several options. Patients must speak with their doctor about which medication will benefit them most when they cannot prevent osteoporosis by exercising regularly and taking in 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium and 400-600 IU of vitamin D each day.

  1. Bisphosphonates

    • Authors of a Mayo Clinic factsheet note that bisphosphonates can particularly benefit men with osteoporosis and people who have lost bone mass because they have undergone long-term steroid therapy. Medications in the bisphosphonate class work by preventing the breakdown of bone by blocking the action of cells called osteoclasts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications in this class are alendronate (Fosamax from Merck; generics available), ibandronate (Boniva from Roche), risedronate (Actonel from Procter & Gamble; generic available), and zoledronic acid (Reclast from Novartis; generics available).

    Calcitonin

    • The thyroid produces calcitonin, and bones make use of the hormone to inhibit the activities of osteoclasts. Delivered uniquely via nasal spray, U.S. patients can choose to use generic calcitonin products from Apotex or MDRNA, or to use Fortical from Upper-Smith or Miacalcin from Novartis. Prescribers tend to reserve calcitonin for patients who cannot take other medications to prevent osteoporosis.

    Estrogens

    • In young women in particular, estrogen prevents the breakdown of bone. When menopause lowers women's natural production of estrogen, women may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Concerns over the cancer and cardiovascular risks from long-term estrogen supplementation, however, have begun limiting the prescribing of HRT for preventing osteoporosis.

    Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

    • Selective estrogen receptor modulators mimic estrogen in the body. Currently, raloxifene, marketed by Eli Lilly under the brand name Evista, is the only SERM that has an FDA indication for treating and preventing osteoporosis. The Mayo Clinic authors also identify the breast cancer drug--and SERM--tamoxifen as an anti-osteoporosis option for women older than 50 years of age.

    Teriparatide

    • Unlike the other medications on this list, teriparatide prevents osteoporosis by stimulating the growth of bone tissue. Marketed by Eli Lilly as Forteo, teriparatide is a synthetic version of parathyroid hormone and must be injected.

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