OSTEOPOROSIS TREATMENT

If you are having osteoporosis therapy, you are taking an important step toward better bone health. However, you may have concerns about your treatment. Is the medicine you're taking right for you? How long will you have to put up with it? Why does your doctor advise a weekly medication yet your buddy just takes one once a month?

 

Which osteoporosis drugs are often initially tried?

Bisphosphonates are often the first-line therapy for osteoporosis. These are some examples:

 

Denosumab is administered every six months through shallow injections just under the skin. If you take denosumab, you may have to continue taking it forever until your doctor switches you to another medicine. According to recent study, there is a substantial chance of spinal fractures after discontinuing the medicine, thus it is critical that you take it regularly.

 

What are some of the most prevalent negative effects of bisphosphonate pills?

Bisphosphonate tablets' most common negative effects include stomach distress and heartburn. Avoid lying down or bending over for 30 to 60 minutes to prevent the medication from washing back up into the esophagus. Most individuals who follow these guidelines do not experience these negative effects.

 

The stomach may not absorb bisphosphonate medications effectively. On an empty stomach, take the drug with a large glass of water. Nothing else should go into your stomach for 30 to 60 minutes, after which you may eat, drink other beverages, and take other prescriptions.

 

Do intravenous bisphosphonates offer any benefits over pill-based bisphosphonates?

Bisphosphonates administered intravenously, such as ibandronate and zoledronic acid, do not produce gastrointestinal distress. And for other individuals, scheduling a quarterly or annual injection may be simpler than remembering to take a weekly or monthly tablet.

 

Some persons have minor flu-like symptoms after receiving intravenous bisphosphonates, however this is generally just after the first infusion. You may mitigate the impact by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol, among other medications) before and after the infusion.

 

Can osteoporosis drugs cause bone damage?

A break or fracture in the centre of the thighbone is a relatively unusual side effect of bisphosphonates and denosumab. This injury, known as an atypical femoral fracture, may produce discomfort in the thigh or groin that starts slowly and worsens over time.

 

Bisphosphonates and denosumab may also induce osteonecrosis of the jaw, a rare disorder in which a piece of jawbone heals slowly or fails to heal, usually after tooth extraction or other invasive dental procedures. This is more likely in persons with bone cancer who take significantly higher dosages of a bisphosphonate than those generally used for osteoporosis.

 

Should I discontinue using bisphosphonates?

The longer you take bisphosphonates, the more likely you are to suffer atypical femoral fractures or osteonecrosis of the jaw. As a result, your doctor may advise you to temporarily stop using this sort of medication. This is referred to as a drug holiday.

 

Even if you stop using the medicine, the good benefits may remain. This is because a bisphosphonate stays in your bone after many years of usage.

 

Because of this residual impact, most specialists feel it's appropriate for patients who are doing well throughout therapy — those who haven't broken any bones and are maintaining bone density — to consider discontinuing their bisphosphonate after five years of usage.

 

Is it possible to utilize hormones to cure osteoporosis?

Estrogen, often in combination with progestin, was historically widely used to treat osteoporosis. This therapy has been linked to an increased risk of blood clots, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and perhaps heart problems. It is currently often reserved for women at high risk of fracture who are unable to take other osteoporosis medications.

 

When comparing the advantages and hazards of estrogen treatment, women seeking hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes may consider enhanced bone health. According to current guidelines, take the lowest dosage of hormones for the shortest amount of time.

 

Raloxifene (Evista) replicates estrogen's positive effects on bone density in postmenopausal women while avoiding some of estrogen's dangers. This medication may lower the risk of some forms of breast cancer. Hot flashes are a typical complication. Raloxifene may potentially raise your chances of developing blood clots.

 

What is the mechanism of action of osteoporosis medications?

Healthy bones constantly break down and repair throughout your life. Bones break down more rapidly as you age, particularly after menopause. Because bone regeneration cannot keep up, bones degenerate and weaken.

 

Most osteoporosis drugs operate by slowing the breakdown of your bones. Some function by hastening the process of bone formation. Either process builds bone and lowers the likelihood of fracture.

 

Which medications aid in the bone-building process?

Bone-building medications include:

 

Teriparatide (Forteo) is a prescription medication.

Tymlos (abaloparatide)

Romosozumab (Evenity) is an anti-cancer drug.

These medications are normally reserved for those with extremely poor bone density, fractures, or osteoporosis induced by steroid treatment.

 

Teriparatide and abaloparatide must be administered on a daily basis. Because studies in laboratory rats revealed an increase in the incidence of bone cancer, these drugs are not used in individuals who are at high risk of developing bone cancer. So far, there has been no rise in bone cancer in those who have taken these drugs.

 

Romosozumab is administered in the form of a monthly injection at your doctor's office. It is a new drug and less is known about long-term side effects, but it is not given to people who have recently had a stroke or heart attack. The treatment is terminated after 12 monthly doses.

 

These bone-building medications are only effective for one or two years, and the effects fade fast once you stop taking them. To safeguard the newly formed bone, you'll need to begin taking a bone-stabilizing prescription, such as a bisphosphonate.

 

Is it possible to cure osteoporosis just with medication?

You should not depend only on medicine to treat your osteoporosis. These activities are also essential:

 

Exercise. Weight-bearing exercise and activities that enhance balance and posture may help to strengthen bones and lower the risk of fracture. The more active and fit you are as you get older, the less probable it is that you will fall and break a bone.

Excellent nourishment. Eat a balanced diet and make sure you receive adequate calcium and vitamin D.

Stop smoking. Cigarette smoking hastens bone loss.

Consume alcohol in moderation. If you must consume alcohol, do it in moderation. That is up to one drink per day for healthy ladies. It would be up to two drinks each day for healthy males.