What Is the Best and Safest Treatment for Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is an insidious condition, with little to no symptoms. You may not even realize you have osteoporosis, or low bone density, until you break a bone. However, recognizing and treating osteoporosis is important because this can prevent bone fractures in the first place, helping you sidestep major misery and life disruption. What is the best and safest treatment for osteoporosis? Read on to learn more about options for osteoporosis treatment.

What is the best and safest treatment for osteoporosis?

What is the best treatment for osteoporosis? There are several treatment options available for osteoporosis. Treatment options for osteoporosis may include supplements, oral medications, or even intravenous (IV) infusions. The bone treatment that works best for you depends on your personal health history, degree of osteoporosis, and preferences.

Treatment options for osteoporosis

How can osteoporosis be treated? The treatments below can often be combined to optimize bone treatment for osteoporosis.

Exercise

Regular exercise can help slow the progression of osteoporosis and maintain your strength. Weight-bearing exercises are a particularly helpful way to improve bone density because they force your bones to work against gravity. Balance training and flexibility training can also help you prevent falls.

Mineral supplements

Taking both calcium and vitamin D can help provide your bones with the building blocks they need to prevent thinning. Calcium is the most prominent mineral in your bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb and use calcium.

Oral medications

A number of medications can be safely taken by mouth to help with bone thinning treatment. These include bisphosphonates, which are “antiresorptive” medications. This means they slow down the natural process of bone resorption, or breakdown. An example of a bisphosphonate is alendronate (Fosamax).

Intravenous and injectable medications

In addition to oral medications for osteoporosis, medications are also available in intravenous (IV) and injectable form. These include bisphosphonates like ibandronate (injection) and zoledronic acid (intravenous infusion), as well as teriparitide (injection), denosumab (injection), and romosozumab (injection).

What is the best medication for osteoporosis? Full list of osteoporosis drugs

What is the best medicine for osteoporosis? The best medication for osteoporosis depends on your personal history, bone density, and treatment preferences. Common prescription treatments for osteoporosis, including hip osteoporosis, include the following.

Medicine	Drug Class	Common Dosage (Adults)	WellRx Savings Card
Alendronate (Fosamax)	Bisphosphonates	70 mg	Link Out
Risedronate (Actonel)	Bisphosphonates	35 mg	Link Out
Ibandronate (Boniva)	Bisphosphonates	150 mg	Link Out
Teriparatide (Forteo)	Parathyroid hormone-related protein analog (PTHrP analog)	20 mcg	Link Out
Raloxifene (Evista)	Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)	60 mg	Link Out

Types of osteoporosis medications

What is the best treatment for osteoporosis? The most effective osteoporosis treatment will depend on your personal medical history, age, and treatment preferences. The following are types of medications for bone density.

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are medications for osteoporosis that help slow down the body’s natural process of bone resorption, which is the breakdown of bone and release of minerals like calcium back into the blood. Bones naturally lose some of their density during the aging process, so slowing this process can help preserve bone density. Bisphosphonates are available in oral form or intravenous form. In the oral form (alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate), it’s important to take bisphosphonates in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a glass of water, and remain sitting upright. This can help reduce the side effects of gastritis. In intravenous form (zoledronic acid/Reclast), bisphosphonate dosing is less frequent, with fewer GI side effects; however, you may feel flu-like symptoms. Bisphosphonates are usually taken for up to five years, and then stopped. Their positive effects can still linger even after stopping therapy. Rarely, bisphosphonates can have a complication of a fracture of the thigh bone (femur) or necrosis of the jawbone. Talk to your dentist about doing dental work if you are taking one of these medications.

Monoclonal antibody therapy

One common monoclonal antibody, denosumab (Prolia), is given as an injection every 6 months. It helps slow down bone resorption. Another, romosozumab (Evenity), also works in the same way. Monoclonal antibodies may be considered for your osteoporosis if you cannot take bisphosphonates, or if you have severe bone thinning or a higher risk of bone fracture. Similar to bisphosphonates, monoclonal antibody therapy also carries the risk of femur fractures and jaw bone breakdown.

Synthetic parathyroid hormone therapy

Another medication class is parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) analog therapy. This bone-building therapy helps stimulate bone growth and may be an option if you haven’t responded to other treatments or if you have a high risk of fracture. Medications in this class include teriparatide (Forteo) and abaloparatide (Tymlos)

Hormone therapy

Osteoporosis is often accelerated by the natural decline of estrogen hormone that occurs with the onset of menopause. Your provider may counter this by recommending estrogen replacement therapy or selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as raloxifene (Evista). This medication supports bone density in the same way that the body’s natural estrogen does; however, it does have potential side effects, such as blood clots.

What is the best post menopausal osteoporosis treatment?

The best low bone density treatment for post-menopausal osteoporosis depends on a variety of factors. The most commonly prescribed medication class for post-menopausal osteoporosis treatment is bisphosphonates. While these medications do have some side effects, such as gastritis, they are generally safe and well-tolerated, and certainly reduce the risk of suffering a hip or spine fracture.

How should you take bone density medicines safely?

To take bone density medicines safely, it’s important to follow your prescriber’s instructions closely. For the most common bone density medicine category, oral bisphosphonates, taking the medication in a specific way can help reduce your chance of common side effects. This means taking the medicine on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water, and remaining upright.

How long does the bone treatment for osteoporosis usually last?

The length of your treatment for osteoporosis will depend on the specific medications that you are taking and your response to these medications, as measured by bone density testing. Many people taking oral bisphosphonates can stop treatment after a few years. However, if bone thinning continues or bone density does not improve adequately, other forms of therapy may be needed. Lifestyle measures such as weight-bearing exercise, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation can be continued indefinitely.

How to prevent osteoporosis

The best way to treat osteoporosis is to prevent it in the first place. How to prevent osteoporosis after menopause? Several lifestyle measures can be beneficial, as well as supplements and medications.

• Get daily physical activity, including weight-bearing exercise
• Eat a healthy diet that limits alcohol
• Don’t smoke cigarettes
• Optimize your vitamin D levels, and take vitamin D and calcium as recommended by your medical provider
• Avoid medications that can lead to bone thinning, if possible
• In addition to being valuable for osteoporosis treatment, bisphosphonate medications can also be used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Choosing the best osteoporosis treatment: 4 factors your healthcare provider will take into consideration

When considering options for treating osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may take into account the following factors.

Bone density

Bone density screening tests (DEXA scans) are generally recommended after women reach age 65. The density of your bones in specific anatomical sites (such as your hip bone) will be reported in the form of a T-score. This score relates to the density of your bones and can guide therapeutic interventions. People with lower T-scores at initial screening may require more aggressive therapy.

Age

Your age will also be a consideration in determining treatment for hip osteoporosis and other sites. This is because if you are young with a very low T-score, for example, it may mean that you have more severe osteoporosis.

History of fractures

If you have had a fracture in the past, especially one of the spine or one that was caused without much trauma, it may indicate that you have a more severe form of osteoporosis.

Family history

If you have a family history of osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may consider earlier screening or treatment.

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Options for osteoporosis treatment: Related FAQs

 

What is the most commonly prescribed drug for osteoporosis?

The most commonly prescribed drug for osteoporosis is alendronate (Fosamax). This medication falls into the bisphosphonate category. It can be taken once a day or once a week. Other common bisphosphonates include risedronate and ibandronate.

At what age do you stop treating osteoporosis?

There is no age at which experts recommend stopping treatment for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis-related fractures become an increasing threat as you age, so continuing treatment in one form or another is always prudent. However, certain osteoporosis medications do have treatment ceilings—for example, most people take bisphosphonates for up to five years.

How to prevent osteoporosis after menopause?

After menopause, it’s important to consider osteoporosis prevention, because this is when bone density loss can accelerate in women. Getting plenty of daily physical activity, including weight-bearing exercises, can help. Making sure that you have ideal vitamin D levels, through potential supplementation with vitamin D and calcium, is also important.

What are some treatment options for osteoporosis for both men and women?

For both men and women, lifestyle interventions that include weight-bearing exercise, vitamin D optimization, and a healthy diet can help support osteoporosis treatment. Bisphosphonates are also considered the best drug for osteoporosis for both women and men.

What is the best treatment for hip osteoporosis?

The best treatment for hip osteoporosis is likely a combination of methods that slow bone density loss. These include medications (such as the bisphosphonate class), a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercises. Avoiding smoking is also paramount.

What is the gold standard treatment for osteoporosis?

The gold standard treatment for osteoporosis, or the most commonly recommended first-line therapy, is bisphosphonate medication. This medication class is typically started in oral form, as a once daily or once weekly dosage. Bisphosphonates have been used safely and successfully to decrease the risk of bone fractures in people with osteoporosis.

What is the fastest way to increase bone density?

If you are looking for a fast way to increase your bone density, your best bet is to use a combination of methods in order to reap the synergistic effects of multimodal therapy. This includes using the best medication for osteoporosis, along with diet and lifestyle changes.

What is the best drug for osteoporosis with the least side effects?

There is no single best drug for osteoporosis; however, the oral bisphosphonate category of medications is usually the first line of treatment because it is generally well-tolerated. This includes medications like alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), and ibandronate (Boniva).

What drink is good for bone density?

Any drink that is a good source of calcium and vitamin D is good for increasing your bone density. Cow’s milk is a good source of these bone-building ingredients, while other drinks, such as orange juice, are often fortified with them. Avoiding excessive alcohol can also help prevent bone thinning.

Which fruit is best for bones?

Some research has shown that prunes, in addition to being a helpful fiber to keep the gut moving regularly, are also beneficial when it comes to bone health. Researchers suspect this may be because prunes contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce bone loss.

Which organ is most affected by osteoporosis?

Bones are primarily affected by osteoporosis. While they are not usually associated with this designation, bones are, in fact, organs. They contain a blood supply and can be modified based on the nature and content of your diet, as well as by the nature of your physical activities.

Can you live with osteoporosis without medication?

Yes, you can certainly live with osteoporosis without medication. If you choose not to pursue medication for osteoporosis, it will be especially important for you to avoid falls. Broken bones, including hip fractures, are a major cause of suffering when it comes to osteoporosis, so regardless of whether or not you receive osteoporosis treatment, fall avoidance is key.

When is it too late to build bone density?

It is never too late to build bone density. Your bones are continuously rebuilding themselves, so you can reap the density-friendly benefits of diet and exercise at any age. Medications for osteoporosis, particularly those that increase bone-building, can be used at any age, as well.

What is the life expectancy of someone with osteoporosis?

If you or a loved one has osteoporosis, it will not change your life expectancy. However, osteoporosis can indirectly influence your life expectancy if it results in a fall that leads to a major fracture. Hospitalization for a hip fracture, for example, can have a negative impact on your overall life expectancy.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441901/

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/osteoporosis-prevention-and-treatment-beyond-the-basics?search=osteoporosis%20treatment%20patient%20education&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3791089/

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/01/osteoporosis-aging

https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/surprising-foods-that-boost-bone-health#:~:text=Try%20these%20tasty%20options%20to,lower%20your%20odds%20of%20fractures.&text=Maintaining%20a%20varied%20diet%20may,the%20National%20Institutes%20of%20Health.

https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-health/data-research/facts-stats/dexa-scan.html#:~:text=What%20you%20should%20know,who%20has%20broken%20a%20hip.