TREATMENT
How is Osteoporosis Treated?
Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, preventive measures against osteoporosis should be emphasized whenever possible. Ensuring adequate dietary calcium intake is one of the mainstays. This is particularly important in children and adolescents. Calcium requirements may be met either through a diet rich in calcium or by use of calcium supplements.
Vitamin D supplementation should be prescribed whenever there is suspicion of inadequate intake and particularly in elderly patients.
There are five steps, which together can optimize bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. They are:
- A balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D
- Weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises
- A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake
- Talking to one’s healthcare professional about bone health
- Bone density testing and medication when appropriate
The following medications are approved by the FDA for postmenopausal women to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis:
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Bisphosphonates
- Alendronate and alendronate plus Vitamin D (brand name Fosamax® and Fosamax® plus D)
- Ibandronate (brand name Boniva®)
- Risedronate and risedronate with calcium (brand name Actonel® and Actonel® with Calcium)
- Calcitonin (brand name Miacalcin®)
Bisphosphonates have been shown to decrease risk for hip and spine fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. They also appear to reduce risk of fracture in men with osteoporosis and in persons who take glucocorticoid medications, such as prednisone.
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Estrogen/Hormone Therapy
- Estrogens (brand names, such as Climara®, Estrace®, Estraderm®, Estratab®, Ogen®, Ortho-Est®, Premarin®, Vivelle® and others)
- Estrogens and Progestins (brand names, such as Activella™, FemHrt®, Premphase®, Prempro® and others)
- Parathyroid Hormone — Teriparatide (PTH (1-34) (brand name Forteo®)