Osteoporosis medications
Osteoporosis, which is a thinning of the bones
as we age, can cause significant back pain if
it causes vertebral body fractures. Recently,
several drugs have been approved for use in the
treatment of osteoporosis to reduce the risk
of fractures. Osteoporosis medications work by
reducing the bone loss and increasing mineral
deposition in the bones.
One well-known medication used to treat osteoporosis,
alendronate (e.g. Fosamax), helps strengthen
bones by encouraging mineral deposition in the
vertebral bodies. This in turn can lower the
risk of compression fractures. Fosamax is taken
orally and it can be very irritating to the esophagus,
so it should be taken with water and the patient
should avoid lying down for 30 minutes after
taking the drug to keep it from refluxing back
into the esophagus.
Another common medication is calcitonin (e.g.
Miacalcin), a hormone that improves bone strength
by favoring the bone-forming cells and inhibiting
the bone-destroying cells. This medication serves
to lower the risk of vertebral fractures, and
has the added benefit of reducing low back pain
in those who already have had a compression fracture.
Miacalcin is administered by a nasal spray once
a day. |
