What medications are used for osteoporosis?
The goal of osteoporosis treatment is to avoid fracture. You should continue (or begin) to consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. To further reduce risk of fracture your doctor may suggest a medication, although the exact recommendation will likely depend on your situation. Both alendronate (Fosamax®) and risedronate (Actonel®), which are 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. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be used for short term management of menopausal symptoms, but is generally not used for long term prevention of fractures. HRT reduces the chance of fracture and provides excellent relief of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. However, HRT increases the risk for deep venous thrombosis (blood clots in the l
