Osteoporosis Treatment
Answers to common questions about osteoporosis treatment.
Questions on this page
Can osteoporosis be treated?
Yes.
Treatment aims to reduce fracture risk and protect bone strength.
What treatments are available?
Depending on the individual, treatment may include:
- Adequate calcium
- Vitamin D when needed
- Exercise
- Fall prevention
- Bisphosphonates
- Denosumab
- Teriparatide
- Romosozumab
- Other specialist treatments
What are bisphosphonates?
Bisphosphonates are medicines that slow bone breakdown and reduce fracture risk.
Examples include:
- Alendronate
- Risedronate
- Zoledronic acid
What is zoledronic acid?
Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate given through an intravenous infusion, usually at intervals determined by the treatment plan.
What is denosumab?
Denosumab is an injectable medicine that reduces bone breakdown.
It is important that denosumab injections are given on schedule and that treatment is not stopped without a plan for follow-up therapy.
What is teriparatide?
Teriparatide is a bone-building medicine that stimulates new bone formation.
It may be used in selected people at very high fracture risk.
What is romosozumab?
Romosozumab is a medicine that both increases bone formation and reduces bone breakdown.
It is used in selected patients at very high fracture risk.
Can osteoporosis medicines be stopped?
Sometimes treatment can be paused or changed, depending on the medicine and the individual's fracture risk.
Do not stop osteoporosis treatment without medical advice.