|
Osteoporosis Medications:
Alendronate (Fosamax®)
Ibandronate (Boniva®)
Risedronate (Actonel®)
Zoledronic Acid (Reclast®)
Calcitonin (Fortical® and
Miacalcin®)
Estrogen Therapy (ET) and Hormone
Therapy (HT) (Multiple brand names
available
Raloxifene (Evista®)
Teriparatide (Fortéo®)
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
appropriate exercise are essential to
the bone health of everyone, including
people treated with an osteoporosis
medication.
Medications Approved to Prevent and/or
Treat Osteoporosis
|
Class and
Drug |
Brand Name |
Form |
Frequency |
|
Bisphosphonates |
|
|
|
|
Alendronate |
Fosamax® |
Oral (tablet) |
Daily/Weekly |
Alendronate
|
Fosamax Plus
D™
(with 2,800 IU or 5,600 IU
of Vitamin D3) |
Oral (tablet) |
Weekly |
|
Alendronate |
Fosamax® |
Oral (liquid
solution) |
Weekly |
| Ibandronate |
Boniva® |
Oral (tablet) |
Monthly |
Ibandronate
|
Boniva® |
Intravenous
(IV) |
Four Times
per Year |
Risedronate
|
Actonel® |
Oral (tablet) |
Daily/Weekly/Twice Monthly/Monthly |
| Risedronate |
Actonel® with
Calcium |
Oral (tablet) |
Weekly |
|
Zoledronic
Acid |
Reclast® |
Intravenous
(IV) |
One Time per
Year |
|
Calcitonin |
|
|
|
|
Calcitonin |
Fortical® |
Nasal spray |
Daily |
|
Calcitonin |
Miacalcin® |
Nasal spray |
Daily |
|
Calcitonin |
Miacalcin® |
Injection |
Varies |
Estrogen*
|
|
|
|
Estrogen
|
Multiple
Brands |
Oral (tablet) |
Daily |
Estrogen
|
Multiple
Brands |
Transdermal
(skin) patch |
Twice
Weekly/Weekly |
|
Estrogen
Agonists/Antagonists
Also called
Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulators (SERMs) |
|
|
|
Raloxifene
|
Evista® |
Oral (tablet) |
Daily |
Parathyroid Hormone
|
|
|
|
|
Teriparatide |
Forteo® |
Injection |
Daily |
*
Estrogen is also available in various
vaginal preparations, in a vaginal ring,
as a cream, by injection and as an oral
tablet taken sublingually (under the
tongue).
Medications for Prevention and Treatment
To prevent and treat osteoporosis, the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has approved medications to slow or stop
bone loss and reduce the risk of
fractures (broken bones). One medication
works by rebuilding bone.
The best way to determine whether you
have osteoporosis is with a bone mineral
density (BMD) test. The T-score result
on a BMD test falls into three
categories: normal density, low density
and osteoporosis. The chart on “Bone
Mineral Density (BMD) Results and
Treatment” indicates when you should
speak with your healthcare provider
about possible treatment with an
osteoporosis medication.
People at high risk for fractures that
are caused by osteoporosis should always
speak with their healthcare provider
about treatment. Individuals at highest
risk are those who have had previous
fractures of the spine (vertebral
fractures) or hip. Almost all people
with these types of fractures need
treatment for osteoporosis.
Some other serious risk factors to
consider when making a treatment
decision include:
- History of a previous fracture as an
adult (in any bone in the body)
- Family history of osteoporosis or
fractures
-
Being very thin
- Taking certain medications (such as
steroids)
-
Smoking (currently)
Bone Mineral
Density (BMD) Results and Treatment
|
T-Scores |
BMD
Category |
When to
Consider Treatment
With an Osteoporosis Medication |
|
Possible
Scores |
Score Range |
|
+1.0
+0.5
0
-0.5
-1.0 |
-1 and
higher |
Normal BMD |
Most individuals
with T-scores of -1 or higher do
not need to consider medication. |
-1.1*
-1.5
-2.0
-2.4* |
-1.1
to
-2.4 |
Low BMD (Osteopenia) |
Individuals with
T-scores between -1.0 and -2.5
should consider a medication
when there are certain risk
factors. |
-2.5
-3.0
-3.5
-4.0 |
-2.5 and
lower
|
Osteoporosis |
All individuals
with osteoporosis should
consider medication. |
* To help understand osteopenia,
NOF has presented the T-scores
differently than in its clinical
guidelines.
Special Note: All medications
have potential side effects. When making
a decision about taking a medication,
NOF encourages you to discuss your
treatment options with your healthcare
provider and to look at both the risks
and benefits of taking or not taking a
medication.
The "Staying Power" toolkit can help you
keep on track with your treatment plan.
Bone Remodeling Cycle
Bone is living, growing tissue that
constantly forms new bone while
replacing older bone. Bone continuously
renews and changes through a process
called remodeling. The bone remodeling
cycle consists of two distinct stages:
(1) bone resorption (breakdown or
removal) and (2) bone formation. During
resorption, special cells (osteoclasts)
on the bone's surface dissolve bone
tissue and create small cavities. During
formation, other cells (osteoblasts)
fill the cavities with new bone tissue.
Usually, bone resorption and bone
formation take place in close sequence
and remain balanced. An imbalance in the
bone remodeling cycle occurs with
menopause and with aging in both
genders, and it can occur with other
conditions. An imbalance can result in
bone loss that eventually leads to
osteoporosis and fractures.
Bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen
and estrogen agonists/antagonists are antiresorptive
medications. They slow the bone loss
that occurs in the breakdown part of the
remodeling cycle. When people first
start taking these medications, they
stop losing bone as quickly as before,
but still make new bone at a normal
pace. Therefore, bone density may
increase. The goal of treatment with
antiresorptive medications is to prevent
bone loss and lower the risk of breaking
bones.
Teriparatide, a form of parathyroid
hormone, is the first osteoporosis
medication to increase the rate of bone
formation in the bone remodeling cycle
and is in a distinct category of
osteoporosis medications called
anabolic drugs. This is currently
the only osteoporosis medication in the
U.S. that rebuilds bone. The goal of
treatment with teriparatide is to build
bone and lower the risk of breaking
bones.
Special Note: Information about the FDA
approved osteoporosis medications is
intended solely for general information
and should NOT be relied upon for any
particular diagnosis, treatment or care.
This information does not imply an
endorsement by NOF of any particular
medication or manufacturer.
For more detailed information on the
actions, administration and possible
side effects for each of the following
medications, please consult the package
insert, available online and at
pharmacies.
Antiresorptive Medications—Bisphosphonates
Alendronate Sodium or Alendronate Sodium
plus Vitamin D3
(Brand name Fosamax® and Fosamax Plus
D™)
Alendronate is approved for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women and for
treatment of osteoporosis in men. It
also is approved for the treatment of
glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in
men and women as a result of long-term
use of steroid medications (examples are
prednisone and cortisone). Alendronate
reduces bone loss, increases bone
density and reduces the risk of spine,
hip and other fractures by about 50
percent over two to four years.
For prevention, alendronate is taken
daily as a 5 mg tablet or weekly as a 35
mg tablet. For treatment, it is taken
daily as a 10 mg tablet or weekly as a
70 mg tablet with or without vitamin D3.
The weekly dose with vitamin D contains
either 2,800 IU or 5,600 IU of vitamin
D3. Alendronate also is available in an
oral solution taken weekly.
The alendronate tablet needs to be taken
first thing in the morning after waking
up and on an empty stomach. It is
swallowed whole with 6 to 8 ounces of
plain water (no other liquid), at least
30 minutes before having anything to eat
or drink. Patients must remain upright
(sitting, standing or walking) during
this 30-minute period.
The oral solution is also taken first
thing in the morning on an empty
stomach. Patients need to drink the
entire bottle of solution followed by at
least 2 ounces of plain water. After
drinking the solution, patients must
remain upright (sitting, standing or
walking) for at least 30 minutes with no
food or drink during this time.
Alendronate with either 2,800 IU or
5,600 IU of vitamin D3 provides another
option for a source of vitamin D. Weekly
alendronate with 2,800 IU of vitamin D3
is the equivalent of taking 400 IU
daily, while weekly alendronate with
5,600 IU of vitamin D3 is the equivalent
of taking 800 IU daily. Vitamin D3 (also
called cholecalciferol) is the preferred
form of vitamin D for bone health.
Ibandronate Sodium
(Brand name Boniva®)
Ibandronate is approved for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women. Ibandronate
reduces the incidence of spine fractures
by about 50 percent over three years.
Data do not yet confirm that ibandronate
can reduce the risk of hip and other
non-spine fractures. However,
ibandronate increases bone density
substantially throughout the skeleton.
For both prevention
and treatment, ibandronate is taken once
monthly as a 150 mg tablet. For
treatment, it is also available as an
intravenous (IV) dose of 3mg given every
three months. Although the FDA has
approved a daily dose, it is not
available in the U.S.
Oral ibandronate needs to be taken on
the same day each month, first thing in
the morning after waking up and on an
empty stomach. It is swallowed whole
with 6 to 8 ounces of plain water (no
other liquid), at least 60 minutes
before having anything to eat or drink.
Patients must remain upright (sitting,
standing or walking) during this
60-minute period.
A healthcare professional administers
the IV dose in a doctor’s office or
other outpatient setting. It takes less
than a minute to infuse. Patients need
to have a blood test (serum creatinine)
to confirm that kidney function is
normal prior to each IV dose.
Risedronate Sodium or Risedronate Sodium
with Calcium Carbonate
(Brand name Actonel® and Actonel® with
Calcium)
Risedronate is approved for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women, and in 2006 was
approved for the treatment of
osteoporosis in men. It also is approved
for the prevention and treatment of
glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in
men and women as a result of long-term
use of steroid medications (examples are
prednisone and cortisone). Risedronate
slows bone loss, increases bone density
and reduces the risk of spine and
non-spine fractures by 35 to 45 percent
over three years.
For both prevention and treatment,
risedronate is taken daily as a 5 mg
tablet, weekly as a 35 mg tablet that is
available with or without separate
calcium carbonate tablets, or twice
monthly as a 75 mg tablet (on two
consecutive days) or monthly as a 150mg tablet.
The risedronate tablet needs to be taken
first thing in the morning after waking
up and on an empty stomach. It is
swallowed whole with 6 to 8 ounces of
plain water (no other liquid), at least
30 minutes before having anything to eat
or drink. Patients must remain upright
(sitting, standing or walking) during
this 30-minute period.
Weekly risedronate with calcium
carbonate offers another way to get
calcium. The once weekly risedronate
tablet comes with six individual tablets
that contain 500 mg of calcium in the
form of calcium carbonate. One calcium
tablet is taken daily except on the day
of the week when risedronate is taken.
If calcium is taken with the risedronate
tablet, it will prevent the absorption
of risedronate and the desired effect
will not occur. Calcium carbonate
supplements should be taken with food to
be well absorbed.
Zoledronic Acid
(Brand name Reclast®)
Zoledronic acid is approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is also approved to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis and for the prevention of new clinical fractures in patients who have recently had a low-trauma hip fracture. In 2009, it was approved for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women as a result of long-term use of steroid medications (examples are prednisone and cortisone).
Zoledronic acid is given once a year as an intravenous (IV) infusion to treat osteoporosis. It is also given every two years as an IV infusion to prevent osteoporosis. Although the FDA approved zoledronic acid in 2007 to treat osteoporosis, the medication was already available under the name Zometa® for use in cancer patients with certain bone conditions. The FDA first approved zoledronic acid in 2001.
Zoledronic acid increases bone density and reduces fractures in the hip, spine and non-spine areas (such as the wrists and arms). In one major study, zoledronic acid reduced the risk of spine fractures by 70 percent and hip fractures by 41 percent.
A healthcare professional gives zoledronic acid as an intravenous (IV) dose of 5 mg in a doctor’s office or other outpatient setting. It takes 15 minutes for the yearly infusion. Patients need to have two blood tests prior to each IV dose. One is a test for creatinine to confirm that kidney function is normal. The other is a test for calcium to confirm that the blood calcium level is normal.
Side Effects of Bisphosphonates
Side effects for all the bisphosphonates
(alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate
and zoledronic acid) may include
bone, joint or muscle pain.
Side effects of the oral tablets may
include nausea, difficulty swallowing,
heartburn, irritation of the esophagus
(tube connecting the throat to the
stomach) and gastric ulcer. Side effects
that can occur shortly after receiving
an IV bisphosphonate include flu-like
symptoms, fever, pain in muscles or
joints, and headache. These generally
stop within two to three days and
usually do not happen with future
infusions.
Inflammation of the eye (called uveitis)
is a rare side effect of all
bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are not
recommended for people with severe
kidney disease or low blood calcium.
People with certain problems of the
esophagus may not be able to take the
oral tablets.
There have been rare reports of
osteonecrosis (death of bone cells or
tissue) of the jaw(ONJ) with bisphosphonate medications.
Of the cases reported to date in 2007,
nearly 95 percent were in cancer
patients receiving an intravenous
bisphosphonate, pamidronate (Aredia®) or
zoledronate (Zometa®), typically given
every three to four weeks. Although quite unusual, patients being
treated with the bisphosphonate pills,
alendronate (Fosamax®), ibandronate
(Boniva®) and risedronate (Actonel®),
for osteoporosis prevention or treatment
have also been reported to have
developed ONJ.
Patients taking the oral bisphosphonate
tablets should stop taking the drug and
contact their healthcare provider
immediately when experiencing chest
pain, new or worsening heartburn or
difficulty or painful swallowing. It is
important that patients report these or
other side effects to their healthcare
provider.
Click here
for NOF's statement on osteonecrosis of
the jaw.
Other Antiresorptive Medications
Calcitonin-Salmon
(Brand names Fortical® and Miacalcin®)
Calcitonin is approved for the treatment
of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
who are at least five years beyond
menopause. It is a naturally occurring
hormone involved in calcium regulation
and bone metabolism. Calcitonin slows
bone loss and increases bone density in
the spine. It reduces the risk of spine
fractures but has not been shown to
decrease the risk of non-spine
fractures.
Calcitonin is available as an injection
(dosage varies) or nasal spray (200 IU
daily). An oral form of the drug is also
being tested in clinical trials.
Side Effects
Injectable calcitonin may cause an
allergic reaction and unpleasant side
effects including flushing of the face
and hands, urinary frequency, nausea and
a skin rash. The primary side effects
with nasal calcitonin are a runny nose,
headache, back pain and nosebleed
(epitasis).
Estrogen Therapy (ET) and Hormone
Therapy (HT)
(Multiple brand names available)
Estrogen therapy (ET) and estrogen with
progesterone hormone therapy (HT) are
approved for the prevention of
osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. ET
and HT reduce bone loss, increase bone
density in both the spine and hip, and
reduce the risk of hip, spine and other
fractures in postmenopausal women. ET
and HT are commonly available as a
tablet or skin (transdermal) patch and
in other forms. Estrogen and hormone
medications come in a wide variety of
doses.
Side Effects
When estrogen is taken alone, it can
increase a woman's risk of developing
cancer of the uterine lining
(endometrial cancer). To reduce this
risk, physicians prescribe the hormone
progesterone in combination with
estrogen (hormone therapy or HT) for
those women who have a uterus. Estrogen
therapy (ET) is prescribed for women who
have had hysterectomies. ET and HT
relieve menopausal symptoms and benefit
bone health. Side effects may include
vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness and
gallbladder disease.
The Woman’s Health Initiative (WHI)
study confirmed that one type of HT,
Prempro® (administered to women who on
average were more than ten years past
menopause), reduced the risk of hip and
other fractures, as well as colon
cancer. However, it was associated with
a modest increase in the risk of breast
cancer, strokes, heart attacks, venous
blood clots and cognitive (mental)
decline. Although ET was associated with
a similar increase in the risk of
strokes, venous blood clots and
cognitive decline, it did not increase
the risk of breast cancer or heart
attacks.
Because of side effects, the FDA
recommends that women consider other
medications for the prevention of
osteoporosis. According to the FDA,
estrogen should not be prescribed for
the prevention of postmenopausal
osteoporosis unless a woman is at
significant risk of osteoporosis and
cannot take non-estrogen medications.
The FDA also recommends prescribing the
lowest possible dose of ET/HT for the
shortest period of time.
Raloxifene
(Brand name Evista®)
Raloxifene is approved for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is
in a class of drugs called estrogen
agonists/antagonists, also known as
Selective Estrogen Receptors Modulators
(SERMs), that have
been developed to provide the beneficial
effects of estrogens without their
potential disadvantages. Raloxifene
increases bone density and reduces the
risk of spine fractures. There are no
data showing that raloxifene reduces the
risk of hip and other non-spine
fractures.
For both prevention and treatment,
raloxifene is taken daily as a 60 mg
tablet with or without meals.
Raloxifene appears to decrease the risk
of estrogen-dependent breast cancer by
65 percent over eight years.
Side Effects
While side effects are not common, they
include hot flashes, leg cramps and deep
vein thrombosis (blood clots), the
latter of which is also associated with
estrogen therapy. Other side effects
include swelling and flu-like symptoms.
Raloxifene is not associated with
diseases of the uterus or ovaries and
does not affect cognitive (mental)
function.
Raloxifene should not be given to women
at increased risk for stroke. These
women include those who have had
previous strokes, transient ischemic
attacks (TIAs), atrial fibrillation (a
type of serious irregular heart beat) or
uncontrolled hypertension (high blood
pressure).
Bone Forming (Anabolic) Medications
Teriparatide – Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
(1-34)
(Brand name Fortéo®)
Teriparatide, a type of parathyroid
hormone, is approved for the treatment
of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
and in men who are at high risk for a
fracture. This medication rebuilds bone
and significantly increases bone mineral
density, especially in the spine.
In clinical studies of postmenopausal
women using teriparatide, fractures were
reduced in the spine and throughout the
skeleton. In men, bone mineral density
(BMD) increased, but the study was too
small to evaluate fracture reduction.
Good candidates for teriparatide include
those who have had an osteoporosis
related fracture and those with very low
bone mineral density (T-scores lower
than -3.0). Teriparatide may be an
option for patients who continue to lose
bone mass during treatment with other
osteoporosis medications.
Teriparatide is self-administered as a
daily injection from a pre-loaded pen
containing a one month supply of
medication. It can be taken for a
maximum of two years. At the end of two
years, to retain the benefits of
treatment with teriparatide, most
experts recommend that patients start an
antiresorptive medication.
Side Effects
Side effects include leg cramps and
dizziness. Modest elevations in serum
and urine calcium can occur, but there
is no documented increase in the risk of
kidney stones.
In animal studies, very high doses of
teriparatide that were given for a long
period of time increased the incidence
of rat osteosarcoma. Although common in
rats, this type of tumor is extremely
rare in adult humans. For this reason,
the FDA approved its use for up to two
years only. Teriparatide should not be
used in people who may be at increased
risk for this tumor. This includes
patients with Paget’s disease, children
with growing bone, persons with
unexplained serum alkaline phosphatase
elevations and those who have had
radiation treatment involving the
skeleton. It also should not be given to
people with metabolic bone diseases such
as hyperparathyroidism and those who
have had cancer metastases to bone.
Response to Treatment
To be effective, an osteoporosis
medication must be taken as prescribed.
It is important to stay with the plan on
which you and your healthcare provider
have agreed. Most people cannot feel
their bones getting stronger (or weaker)
in response to treatment with a
medication. So if you decide that a
particular treatment plan is not right
for you, discuss your concerns with your
healthcare provider before stopping or
interrupting treatment. For your
medication to work, you need to exercise
regularly and continue to get enough
calcium and vitamin D.
With the antiresorptive medications (bisphosphonates,
calcitonin, estrogen and estrogen
agonists/antagonists), the
goal of treatment is to prevent further
bone loss and to reduce the risk of
fractures. Fractures can cause
deformities, disabilities and serious,
as well as life threatening
complications. A patient has a favorable
response to treatment when bone mineral
density either remains stable or
improves and no fractures occur.
With the one anabolic medication,
teriparatide (Forteo®), the goal of
treatment is to rebuild bone, increase
bone mass, repair microscopic defects in
bone and reduce the risk of fractures. A
patient has a favorable response to
treatment when both bone quantity and
quality improve and there is a
substantial increase in bone strength.
Monitoring Treatment
Most healthcare providers repeat the
bone mineral density (BMD) test every
one to two years to monitor the
effectiveness of treatment with an
osteoporosis medication. BMD tests and
blood and urine tests for bone
remodeling are the only widely available
monitoring tools. At the current time,
there is no easy way to measure
improvement in bone quality.
How Long to Treat
There are currently no conclusive
research findings to suggest how long an
osteoporosis drug remains safe and
effective, except for teriparatide
(Forteo®). Teriparatide can be taken for
no more than two years according to the
FDA. It is uncertain how long any of the
osteoporosis medications remain
effective after they are stopped.
Past Experience and Studies
Past experience with bisphosphonates
(Actonel®, Boniva® and Fosamax®)
suggests that upon discontinuation of
any of these drugs, the benefits may
continue for several years or longer.
This is because the drugs remain in the
bone for a long time. Eventually,
however, the beneficial effect begins to
lessen, bone remodeling rates increase
and bone loss may occur.
One study found that alendronate
(Fosamax®) continued to have a
beneficial effect on bone mineral
density for up to 10 years in
postmenopausal women taking the
medication. Biopsies of bone tissue in
women on alendronate for 10 years show
that bone tissue looks healthy and
normal. Other studies show that treating
with alendronate for more than five
years improves bone strength and reduces
clinical fractures of the spine.
Another study suggested that women who
discontinued taking alendronate after
five years of treatment did not
significantly increase their fracture
risk for up to an additional five years.
Women who stopped alendronate after five
years had the same rate of non-spine
fractures as women who continued using
the drug for 10 years. However, the
study found that women at very high risk
of spine fractures may benefit by
continuing to take alendronate beyond
five years.
Drug Free Holiday
When a patient has a good response to
treatment with an osteoporosis
medication, some healthcare providers
will consider a drug free holiday. This
means stopping the medication for a
period of time and continuing to monitor
bone mineral density. Some healthcare
providers consider a drug free holiday
after five years when there has been a
good response to treatment. Others view
it as an option when bone mineral
density tests are performed two years
apart, and the test results are similar
and show a good response to treatment.
Although some healthcare providers give
drug free holidays, there are few
research findings that support (or not
support) this practice.
In the absence of clinical studies on
duration of treatment, healthcare
providers and patients should discuss
options to determine the best course of
action. NOF encourages all healthcare
professionals to evaluate a patient on
the basis of clinical risk factors, such
as the presence or absence of fractures,
BMD status, age, weight, smoking and
alcohol use. Length of treatment should
be individualized and based on the
person’s medical and fracture history,
as well as the initial and most recent
bone mineral density test results.
Nutrition and Exercise
To protect bone health, it is important
that all persons have a nutritionally
balanced diet, which includes calcium
rich foods and vitamin D. Adults 50 and
older need 1,200 mg of calcium and
800-1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. Adults
under 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium and
400–800 IU of vitamin D daily. Because
of the importance of vitamin D to bone
health, healthcare providers may
recommend a lab test for vitamin D for
patients with osteoporosis. Based on the
test results, healthcare providers may
recommend additional vitamin D
supplementation. A program of
appropriate weight-bearing and
resistance exercises further helps to
promote bone health.
Adverse Events
When a patient has a serious reaction or
problem with a drug, either the patient
or patient’s healthcare provider should
notify the FDA to report the problem.
The toll free number for the FDA is
1/800-332-1088. To complete a report
online, visit the FDA Web site at
www.fda.gov/medwatch. Patients also may
want to notify the pharmaceutical
manufacturer of the adverse event. See
the chart below for the phone numbers of
the pharmaceutical manufacturers and the
date each medication was approved by the
FDA as an osteoporosis medication.
|
OSTEOPOROSIS
MEDICATIONS |
Alendronate
Fosamax®, Fosamax Plus D™
Merck, 800/672-6372
FDA Approval: 1995
|
Raloxifene
Evista®
Eli Lilly, 800/545-5979
FDA Approval: 1997 |
Calcitonin
Fortical®, Miacalcin®
Upsher-Smith, 800/654-2299
(Fortical®)
Novartis, 888/669-6682
(Miacalcin®)
FDA Approval: 1995 |
Risedronate
Actonel®, Actonel® with
Calcium
Procter & Gamble, 800/448-4878
FDA Approval: 2000 |
Estrogen (ET) and Hormone
Therapy (HT)
Multiple brand names are
available. (Examples of ET are
Estrace® and Premarin®.
Examples of HT are
FemHrt®) and Prempro®.) |
Teriparatide
Forteo®
Eli Lilly, 800/545-5979
FDA Approval: 2002 |
Ibandronate
Boniva®
Roche, 800/526-6367
FDA Approval: 2005 for Monthly
Oral Dose and 2006 for Quarterly
IV Dose |
|
Additional Information
For additional medication information,
the following Web sites may be helpful
to you:
DrugDigest:
www.drugdigest.org
Food and Drug Administration:
www.fda.gov
MedlinePlus:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR): www.pdrhealth.com
To help you keep track of your
prescription medications,
over-the-counter medicines and dietary
supplements, the FDA has developed a
form for you. It is called “My Medicine
Record.” You can use it to share
information with your healthcare
providers. Take it with you every time
you visit your doctor, pharmacy or
hospital. The record can be printed from
the FDA Web site at
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/my_medicine_record.htm
Older adults and caregivers can get help
to avoid medication problems and
recognize and manage common side
effects. You can obtain this information
from the MUST for Seniors™ program. The
Web site is
www.mustforseniors.org. MUST
stands for “Medication Use Safety
Training.” It is sponsored by the
National Council on Patient Information
and Education (NCPIE).
To
receive the latest scientific
information on osteoporosis and ideas on
how to better cope with this disease,
please consider joining the NOF Family.
New members of the National
Osteoporosis Foundation ($30) receive
our quarterly newsletter,
The Osteoporosis Report, and a copy of our
74-page comprehensive patient handbook,
Boning Up on Osteoporosis. Several
levels of health professional
memberships are also available.
Join on-line
today!
If you are looking for information that
does not appear on this site, please
visit our on-line Information Request
Center:
Request More Information
JOIN THE NOF FAMILY NOW |
