Osteoporosis

Within the past 10 years, there have been tremendous advances in our ability to alter the course of osteoporosis (see Osteoporosis section). The primary aim of medical therapy is not to treat symptoms; unless a fracture occurs, osteoporosis is a silent disease. Rather, these medications are given to reduce the risk of future fractures. Medications used in the treatment of osteoporosis include drugs classified as bisphosphonates, which include alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and zoledronic acid, as well as the selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM) raloxifene, and therapies employing hormones our bodies use to regulate calcium balance such as teriparatide and calcitonin.