Reducing the Risk of Bone Fracture

Medicines and the Bones They Protect
For women with osteoporosis who have gone through menopause,
researchers found that the following medicines do or do not lower
the risk of breaking the bones listed.
Bisphosphonates
Medicine Spine Hip Wrist
Other
Bone(s)
Alendronate (Fosamax®) R R R * R
Ibandronate (Boniva®) R — — —
Risedronate (Actonel® or Atelvia®) R R R * R
Zoledronic acid (Reclast®) R R — R
Denosumab (Prolia®) R R — R
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)** Q Q Q Q
Raloxifene (Evista®) R Q Q Q
Teriparatide (Forteo®) R — — R
R = does reduce risk; Q = does NOT reduce risk; — = unknown.
* These medicines appear to lower the risk of breaking a wrist bone, but there is not enough research to know for sure.
** In women who have gone through menopause but do NOT have osteoporosis, MHT lowers the risk of breaking the spine,
hip, or other bones.
How long will the medicine protect my bones?
There is not enough research to say how long most medicines might
protect you from breaking a bone, or how long you may need to
take a medicine. There is some evidence that taking alendronate
(Fosamax®) for more than 5 years may protect your spine from
breaking. Some women may experience protection for bones other
than their spine after taking this medicine for 5 years, while other
women will not. Only women who still have osteoporosis or bone
breaks in their spine after the first 5 years of treatment may gain
protection for bones other than their spine by taking medicine for
5 more years.
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