Drug Treatment

Treatment for osteoporosis may involve:

1. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise
2. Taking calcium and vitamin D
3. Using medicines

Medicines are used to strengthen bones when:

1. Osteoporosis has been diagnosed by a bone density study, whether or not you have
   a fracture.
2. A bone fracture has occurred and a bone density test shows that you have thin bones,
   but not osteoporosis

Drugs used to treat osteoporosis include:

1. Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERM)
2. Bisphosphonates (the main drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal
   women)
3. Estrogens, teriparatide, raloxifene, and calcitonin
4. Analgesics
5. Fluorides