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Osteoporosis and Osteopenia Treatment Options
A complete osteoporosis and/or osteopenia treatment program includes focusing on proper nutrition, exercise, and safety issues to prevent falls that may result in fractures. In addition, your doctor may prescribe osteoporosis medications to slow or stop bone loss, increase bone strength, and reduce fracture risk.
Osteoporosis medications affect the bone remodeling cycle. Bone remodeling is made up of two stages: bone resorption (bone loss) and bone formation. These stages usually occur together to maintain a healthy bone. In osteoporosis, the cycle becomes imbalanced and bone loss occurs more rapidly than bone formation, resulting in a weakened bone.
Anti-Resorptive Osteoporosis Medications
(Drugs that slow bone loss)
Bisphosphonates
| Brand Name |
Fosamax® (alendronate sodium)
Fosamax Plus Dreg; (alendronate sodium plus 2,800 IU vitamin D3)
|
| Indication |
Prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women, and treatment of osteoporosis in men |
| Dose |
5mg per day or 35mg once a week (prevention)
10mg per day or 70mg once a week (treatment)
|
| Brand Name |
Boniva® (ibandronate sodium)
|
| Indication |
Prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis |
| Dose |
2.5 mg per day or 150 mg once a month (prevention and treatment)
|
| Brand Name |
Actonel® (risedronate sodium)
Actonel® with Calcium (risedronate sodium plus 500mg calcium carbonate)
|
| Indication |
Prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women |
| Dose |
5mg per day or 35mg once a week (prevention and treatment)
|
Side Effects of Bisphosphonates
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
- Irritation or pain of the esophagus
- Difficulty swallowing
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Gas
How to Take Bisphosphonates
- Must be taken first thing in the morning upon getting up for the day
- Swallow with a full glass (6-8oz.) of plain water
- Fosamax® and Actonel®: take at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink (other than water) intake of the day or before taking any oral medications. Patients must not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication.
- Boniva®: take at least 60 minutes before the first food or drink (other than water) intake of the day or before taking any oral medications. Patients must not lie down for at least 60 minutes after taking this medication.
Calcitonin
| Brand Name |
Miacalcin® Nasal Spray
Fortical® Nasal Spray
Miacalcin® Injection
Osteocalcin® Injection
Calcimar® Injection
Salmonine® Injection
|
| Indication |
Prevention (all brands) and treatment (Fortical®) of postmenopausal osteoporosis |
| Dose |
Injection - 50 to 100 units per day given subcutaneously (SQ) or intramuscularly (IM)
Nasal Spray - 200 units (1 spray) per day, alternating nostrils daily
|
| Side Effects |
- Flushing of face and hands
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nasal irritation
- Inflammation, swelling, pain, redness, and itching at injection site
|
| Side Effects |
- Keep unopened nasal spray bottles in refrigerator
- Activate nasal spray pump
- Store nasal spray upright
- After 30 days, throw away any unused nasal spray
- Injections must be stored in the refrigerator at all times
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Estrogens
| Brand Name |
Premarin®
Estrace®
Prempro®
Estraderm®
Estratab® and others
|
| Indication |
Prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis in women at significant risk |
| Dose |
1 injection (20mcg) per day given subcutaneously (SQ) in the thigh or abdomen
|
| How to use Calcitonin |
- Spotting
- Headache
- Breast Pain
- Abdominal Pain
|
- Must be taken first thing in the morning upon getting up for the day
- Swallow with a full glass (6-8oz.) of plain water
Exercise
Exercise is also an important function of delaying the onset of osteoporosis. Without going into actual exercise routines, there are many types of strength building exercises. It doesn't matter which specific routines one uses, as long as the individual incorporates general strength training into their osteoporosis and osteopenia treatment protocol.
Alternative, Supplementary Treatments
In addition to exercise and the osteoporosis medications mentioned above, there are alternatives out in the market that are available to those that cannot tolerate traditional osteoporosis medication. For those that are looking for a natural alternative to current treatment options, there are available plant based remedies such as OsteoSine, our 100% natural supplement that works the same as the medications mentioned above but without the potential serious side effects.
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© 2004-2011 NuLiv Lifestyle. All rights reserved.
(The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.)
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