The treatment of osteoporosis is as follows;
Bisphosphonates
These are the most common osteoporosis drug treatments. They include:
- Alendronate is an oral medication people take daily or once per week.
- Ibandronate is available as a monthly oral tablet or as an intravenous injection that you get four times per year.
- Risedronate is available in daily, weekly, bimonthly, or monthly doses in an oral tablet.
- Zoledronic acid is available as an intravenous infusion that you get once every one or two year
Most osteoporosis medications slow bone breakdown. Healthy bones continuously break down and rebuild.
As you age — especially after menopause — bones break down faster. Because bone rebuilding cannot keep pace, bones deteriorate and become weaker.
Osteoporosis medications basically put a brake on the process. These drugs effectively maintain bone density and decrease the risk of breaking a bone as a result of osteoporosis.
Drugs in the bisphosphonate class are more alike than they are different. They all help maintain bone density. And, all bisphosphonates have been shown to reduce the chance of a fracture.
The decision to take one drug over another often is based on:
- Preference
- Convenience
- Adherence to the dosing schedule
- Cost, including whether or not the drug is a “preferred” option on your insurance company’s list of acceptable medications (formulary)
Your doctor might recommend a monthly dose of medication if it’s going to be better tolerated or better accepted. But if you’re likely to forget to take your medicine on a monthly schedule, you might do better taking medication once a week.
Life style changes:
Don’t rely entirely on medication as the only treatment for your osteoporosis. These practices also are important:
- Exercise. Weight-bearing physical activity and exercises that improve balance and posture can strengthen bones and reduce the chance of a fracture. The more active and fit you are as you age, the less likely you are to fall and break a bone.
- Good nutrition. Eat a healthy diet and make certain that you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D.
- Quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes speeds up bone loss.
- Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy women, that means up to one drink a day.
