Osteoporosis Support Group

Osteoporosis is a disease of bone in which bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of non-collagenous proteins in bone is changed. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 worldwide have osteoporosis. It is responsible for millions of fractures annually, mostly involving the lumbar...

363 Members
464 Posts
0 Online
Women's Health
/ Osteoporosis Support Group

Medications for osteoporosis

aprilb42
aprilb42
Are there any medications out there for osteoporosis besides the kinds like Fosamax that can cause jaw problems? I currently have osteopenia and am taking the Pill, calcium, vitamin d, and do weight bearing exercise. I am just researching as if I ever need to take anything I want to know my options. I really don't want to take something like Fosamax because of the possible jaw problems and I don't think my stomach could tolerate it anyways.

Thanks,
April
deleted_user
deleted_user
There is a new treatment just been released this summer called Prolia (denosumab). It is a biologic not a a like boniva, fosomax etc. It has been tested for about 3 years with not alot of side effects but it is very expensive. It is a twice a year injection. My doctor wanted me to be in a study to recieve it but they were testing it against boniva and they assigned me boniva. I have taken 3 pills (monthly). Nothing too serious just a few aches and pains for a couple of days. My jaw did hurt the on the second pill and if that happens again I'm done. I hate taking drugs of anykind but my t-score in my spine is pretty bad and I am very active so I don't want to break anything.
deleted_user
deleted_user
April,
I used a biologic called Forteo for 26 months. My Bone Dr. wanted me to continue for a couple more months until Prolia, another biologic, was approved. My and most insurance will only cover it for 2 years and at 8 hundred dollars per month I went ahead and had a reclast infusion. I had no problems with the Forteo & went from a -3.6 to -2.1. That's pretty good! I've had some problems with the reclast, but ended up not being as bad as I feared might be. Ended up being kidney stones. HURTS! Anyways I saw my Dr. yesterday (Bone Dr.) and he says that in six months, instead of another reclast infusion, I'll be starting the Prolia. It's a bi-yearly injection. Of course I still take D3,Calcium,potassium,magnesium & K2. Good Luck in whatever you decide to do. Deb