Drugs for the treatment of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can be not only a painful disease but a dangerous one as well. Living with osteoporosis means more chance of bone fractures at a much easier rate than those who have normal or above normal bone density. Additionally, it can be painful, especially if one experiences a fracture. In this vein there are drugs to treat osteoporosis. These drugs are divided into two groups.
The first group of drugs used to treat osteoporosis is referred to as the group that contains ingredients that limit the rate of bone loss. Specifically, this group slows down the rate at which Osteoclasts (type of bone cell that removes bone tissue and minerals) reabsorb bone--thus the group of “anti-reabsorbing drugs.” In simpler terms, these drugs slow down the rate at which a type of bone cells “suck up” bone tissue and bone minerals. This group consists of:
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Estrogen- These drugs supplement or replace hormones that are naturally secreted by various glands in the body. The most common on the market are:
- Conjugated Estrogen (Cenestin, Premarin)
- Estradiol Transdermal System (Alora, Climara, Esclim, Estraderm Patch, FemPatch, Menostar, Vivelle, Vivelle-Dot)
- Esterified Estrogens (Estratab, Menest)
- Estradiol (Estrace, Gynodiol)
- Designer or Compounded Estrogen (SERMS--Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators) - Raloxifene (Evista) is the most common in this class of drugs. It is an oral medication that is approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women who are past menopause and who are not taking hormone replacement therapy or estrogen.
- Calcitonin- A hormone naturally produced in the thyroid. A synthetic version prescribed that is Miacalcin. This medication is FDA approved and is manufactured by Novartis.
- Biophosophonates- These are chemically made drugs that bind to the inner linings of bones thus preventing osteoclasts from removing bone tissue and minerals. The most common on the market today are Alendronate (Fosamax, Risedronate (Actonel) and ibandronate (Boniva). Zoledronic acid (Reclast) is the newest bisphosphonate and is approved only for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Zoledronic acid differs from the other available bisphosphonates because it is available as an injection given only once per year.
The second group of drugs used in treating osteoporosis is the newest class of medications. These drugs advocate or promote bone formation, thus they are referred to as “bone forming drugs.” Currently in the United States, one drug has proved itself effective enough in scientific research studies to gain approval by the FDA. This drug for treating osteoporosis is Teriparatide (Forteo). Again, it is the first drug in this newest drug class for treatment of osteoporosis. It is especially and most frequently prescribed for men and women who are particularly likely to or who have experienced bone fractures. This includes individuals who have previously suffered a fracture due to osteoporosis, individuals with multiple risk factors for fractures, and those who have failed or cannot tolerate other osteoporosis treatments. Approved by the FDA in 2002, teriparatide is human parathyroid hormone (PTH) created by recombinant DNA technology. PTH is a natural human hormone that controls calcium levels in the body. Teriparatide acts like natural PTH to increase bone formation. Because the increased activity of osteoblasts builds bone up faster than osteoclast activity can break bone down, bone density may actually increase. Available only as a daily injection, teriparatide is awkward to use. Although, it is very expensive compared to other drugs that treat osteoporosis, this new medication is proved extremely helpful and effective in its role in treating osteoporosis.
With the release of these drugs, osteoporosis treatment has made many advances over the last decade. Used as prescribed, these drugs can be especially useful and beneficial in treating osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Treatment: Find One The is Safe and Effective
