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