Treatment and Prevention
Treatment of osteoporosis is aimed at preventing or reducing bone fractures and maintaining or increasing bone density. There are several treatments for osteoporosis, but prevention is still very important. Many of the treatment and prevention strategies for osteoporosis are similar.
Maintenance of good bone strength requires that you have a regular intake of calcium. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends 1,000 mg elemental calcium daily for men and women aged between 19 and 50 years, and 1,200 mg for men and women over the age of 50 years. They recommend vitamin D in daily doses of 400 IU to 800 IU for men and women 19 to 50 years of age, and of 800 IU to 1,000 IU for adults over 50 years of age, to help increase calcium absorption in the bones The National Osteoporosis Foundation also recommends regular weight-bearing exercise and a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive intake of alcohol.
Weight-bearing exercises play a role in strengthening bones and preventing fractures. Posture and balance can be improved through exercise and can significantly reduce the risk of bone fractures. Moderate exercise, such as walking 45 to 60 minutes 3 to 5 times weekly, is considered a safe and reasonable strategy to prevent osteoporosis.
There are several medications that can be used to treat osteoporosis. Many of these treatments may also be used to prevent osteoporosis for people who are at high risk of developing it.
The bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid) are one of the main groups of medications that may be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. These medications slow down bone loss and help repair bone, reducing the chance of fracture. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as raloxifene, may also be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in women.
Calcitonin, a hormone normally produced by the thyroid gland, has also been shown to strengthen bone and can be injected or taken through a nasal spray.
Two or more medications may also be used in combination to treat some cases of osteoporosis. In addition, doctors usually recommend patients to continue getting enough calcium and vitamin D.
For men with osteoporosis due to hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy may be used alone or with a bisphosphonate.
A variety of hormone-replacement therapies (HRTs) are available for women who have reached menopause. Estrogen replacement helps to preserve bone, but the therapy has a number of health risks. If you are taking or are considering taking HRT, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Another class of medication called parathyroid hormone analogues (e.g., teriparatide) builds new bone faster than it breaks it down, can it be used to treat severe osteoporosis.
A non-prescription product called ipriflavone has been used by people to treat osteoporosis, but its long-term safety in unclear at this time.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.