Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are steps you can take to prevent, slow or stop its progress. In some cases, you may even be able to improve bone density and reverse the disorder to some degree. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D as well as are essential to bone health. There are also medications available to reduce the risk of broken bones. These medicines either (1) slow or stop bone loss or (2) rebuild bone.
There are many things to think about when choosing the right osteoporosis medicine. You and your healthcare provider may want to look at several things.
There are two categories of osteoporosis medications: antiresorptive medications that slow bone loss and anabolic drugs that increase the rate of bone formation.
How much your insurance company pays for your osteoporosis medication depends on the type of insurance plan you have. Osteoporosis medications require a prescription from your healthcare provider. They include oral medications that patients take by mouth, such as tablets and liquids. They also include injections that patients give themselves at home as well as nasal sprays and patches.
If you are at risk for osteoporosis or already have it, it’s important that you have a healthcare provider who knows about the disease. While there is no one type of medical specialty dedicated to osteoporosis, many healthcare providers are qualified to diagnose and treat it. Some doctors who may have experience in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis include: