Osteoporosis FAQs
Medications That Help Prevent Osteoporosis
Bisphosphonates
| Drug Type | Bisphosphonate |
| Brand Name | Fosamax® |
| How It Works | Inhibits the cells in the skeleton that break down bone; decreases bone loss and allows bone mass to increase |
| Side Effects | Gastrointestinal problems: musculoskeletal pain and/or headache |
SERMs
| Drug Type | Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) |
| Brand Name | Evista® |
| How It Works | Binds to the same receptor in bone as estrogen binds, and so mimics estrogen’s beneficial effects on bone density |
| Side Effects | Hot flashes, leg cramps |
Calcitonin
| Drug Type | Calcitonin |
| Brand Name | Miacalcin® |
| How It Works | Prescription nasal spray for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women more than 5 years after menopause for which estrogens are not an option |
| Side Effects | Nasal symptoms (runny nose, crusting, nosebleed, etc.), back and/or joint pain, and headache |
Parathyroid Hormone
| Drug Type | Teriparatide (PTH 1-34) |
| Brand Name | Fortéo® |
| How It Works | Teriparatide is a man-made form of the active part of a natural hormone that is injected by the patient. It works by increasing bone mass and strength which decreases the chance of getting a fracture |
| Side Effects | Dizziness, leg cramps, angina, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, constipation, sluggishness, angina |