Question 1

my mother - born 1934 - has osteoporosis & has a compression fracture in her back.  what should she be taking for osteoporosis meds?

Accepted Answer

Calcium supplements: She should be using a calcium supplement and doing anti-gravitational exercises( walking) if possibility to strengthen her bone production capability.

Question 2

is my level of osteoporosis bad with t score of -2.7 spine, -2.5 femoral neck & -1.6 total hip? need medications? prior scores -2.9, -2.6, -2.1or can just continue ca+d3 &exercise till osteopenia level. wary of meds wt worse side effects. no fx so fa?

Accepted Answer

: This is osteopenia with borderline osteoporosis. The numbers are slightly improved from prior studies and though the significance of this is arguable they clearly have not worsened. Based on the provided information your current regimen is effective and medication is an option but not required. To guide you, if possible get a FRAX calculation for a 10 year risk of hip and other major fractures.

Question 3

what are side effects of the drug alendronate/fosamax for osteoporosis..?

Accepted Answer

Mostly heartburn: Alendronate is generally well tolerated. Reflux is the most common side effect. It can also cause bone pain, esophageal ulcers or narrowing. The generic alendronate may have more GI side effects because it is not coated. This concern has not been answered adequately  enough in large studies. It is very important to discuss these issues with your physician.

Question 4

hi there. doctor has prescribed teriparatide for my severe osteoporosis. i'm afraid if it could cause cancer. is it a safe drug? the dosage is 8 micro per day?

Accepted Answer

: You are so young so I wonder why you have severe osteoporosis. Do you have problem with sex hormone? One type of bone cancer, namely osteosarcoma, has been reported during the postmarketing period; however, an increased risk of osteosarcoma was not observed in observational studies in the US. Dose of 8 mcg a day is less than 1/2 of the average dose. It is safe to to take it if there is indication.

Question 5

which drug would you choose for osteoporosis of hip  prolia or reclast (zoledronic acid)    what is better tolerated less side effects?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Both drugs are effective in the treatment of osteoporosis involving the hip.  Prolia is likely to work better than reclast, (zoledronic acid) though there are no head to head studies comparing the two.  Prolia is typically used in people who have had a previous fracture (spine, wrist), or have very severe osteoporosis. Both are well tolerated with few side effects.  Prolia is given twice yearly, Reclast (zoledronic acid) once yearly.

Question 6

is it normal to experience jaw pain as a side effect from taking the prescription drug evista (raloxifene) for osteoporosis?

Accepted Answer

No: Jaw pain is not a side effect of evista (raloxifene).  It rarely may occur in patients taking a bisphosphonate  drug.

Question 7

now i have severe osteoporosis, does that mean i have to stay on medication forever? if not, how many years, and then what do i do?

Accepted Answer

MED & EXERCISE: You need 2 stay on it until ur scores get better. The med alone is not the answer, wt bearing exercise is very important. Walking is a good wt bearing low impact exercise u can do. Star slowly & increase as tol. Find a companion who will walk with u the time flies by. If u think u can rely on the rx alone u r wrong.

Question 8

i am on medication for severe secondary osteoporosis, will the medication help my cervical degeneration of discs?

Accepted Answer

Not, need exercise: Intervertebral disc in the spine are made up of nucleus propulsus in the center surrounded by annulus fibrosus, and receives nutrients from the process of imbibition, which requires movements.  Medications for osteoporosis, such as bisphosphonates, vitamin d, calcium supplementation, estrogen replacement, and biological agents target the bony matrix of vertebral body, not the intervertebral disc.

Question 9

can all osteoporosis medications build bone?

Accepted Answer

No: Not all osteoporosis drugs "build bone."  some medications will slow down the breakdown of bone while others will actually build bone.  Talk to your doctor about which one is appropriate for you.

Question 10

how is the osteoporosis medication called strontium ranelate?

Accepted Answer

Not available in USA: Strontium ranelate is not approved for use in the USA.  Studies in Europe suggest it helps prevent fractures but long term safety is an issue.  There are better drugs available.

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Doctor answers about:

Osteoporosis meds medication

A member asked:

My mother - born 1934 - has osteoporosis & has a compression fracture in her back. what should she be taking for osteoporosis meds?

A member asked:

Is my level of osteoporosis bad with t score of -2.7 spine, -2.5 femoral neck & -1.6 total hip? need medications? prior scores -2.9, -2.6, -2.1or can just continue ca+d3 &exercise till osteopenia level. wary of meds wt worse side effects. no fx so fa?

A member asked:

What are side effects of the drug alendronate/fosamax for osteoporosis..?

A member asked:

Hi there. doctor has prescribed teriparatide for my severe osteoporosis. i'm afraid if it could cause cancer. is it a safe drug? the dosage is 8 micro per day?

A member asked:

Which drug would you choose for osteoporosis of hip prolia or reclast (zoledronic acid) what is better tolerated less side effects?

A member asked:

Is it normal to experience jaw pain as a side effect from taking the prescription drug evista (raloxifene) for osteoporosis?

A member asked:

Now i have severe osteoporosis, does that mean i have to stay on medication forever? if not, how many years, and then what do i do?

A member asked:

I am on medication for severe secondary osteoporosis, will the medication help my cervical degeneration of discs?

A member asked:

Can all osteoporosis medications build bone?

A member asked:

How is the osteoporosis medication called strontium ranelate?

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