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Pharmacological Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes bones to be weak and prone to fractures. Pharmacological treatments are available and can be used to either treat or prevent osteoporosis.

  1. Bisphosphonates

    • Bisphosphonates such as alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate and zoledronic acid are FDA-approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. However, zoledronic acid is only approved for treatment in post-menopausal women.

    SERMs

    • Raloxifene is the only selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that is FDA-approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

    Hormonal Therapy

    • Estrogen is FDA-approved for the prevention of osteoporosis; there is no significant evidence that testosterone is beneficial for osteoporosis.

    Teriparatide

    • Teriparatide, a medication similar to parathyroid hormone, is FDA-approved for the treatment of osteoporosis; the FDA recommends that treatment with this medication last no longer than two years.

    Calcitonin

    • Calcitonin, a hormone, is approved for the treatment of osteoporosis; it tends to be reserved for patients who cannot tolerate other drugs.

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