Bisphosphonates Are Commonly Prescribed Medications for Osteoporosis in Females

Posted by george whittington on May 27th, 2019

If you are undergoing treatment for osteoporosis, you have taken the right step in order to protect your bone health. However, you might have questions about the medications used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Well, bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed medications for osteoporosis treatment.

Hormones, such as estrogen, play a great role in osteoporosis treatment and prevention. However, there have been some concerns regarding potential side effects associated with the use of estrogen. In fact, according to current recommendations, women with osteoporosis have to take a very low dose of estrogen, that too for a shorter period of time. So, bisphosphonates come into play.

Bisphosphonates prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis include Alendronate, Risedronate, Ibandronate, and Zoledronic acid.

They are a group of drugs used to treat bone problems that are associated with fragile or thin bones, which further increase the risk of fractures. Bisphosphonates are advised to post-menopausal who have low bone mineral density. They help strengthen the bones, preventing future bone fractures.

Bisphosphonates are recommended in association with calcium and vitamin D supplements in order to keep the bones strong. Apart from osteoporosis, this group of drugs are prescribed for the treatment of osteopenia, Paget’s disease, and bone cancer.

The bone cells are constantly replaced with new bone cells and this happens throughout your entire life. Those bone cells are called osteoclasts, which remove old bone, while the osteoblast cells replace the new bone cells.

Bisphosphonate drugs work by reducing the activity of osteoclast, thereby reducing the removal of old bone and turnover of the bone. As the age progresses and with certain diseases, the bone damaged faster than our body is able to replace it, leaving the bones thin, fragile and weakened. Weak or porous bones are vulnerable to fractures even with a small impact or a fall. Bisphosphonates help to preserve the bone mineral density and bone strength.

These types of drugs are taken orally either daily, weekly, or even monthly, which actually depends on the severity of osteoporosis and other medical conditions. However, different drugs have different dosages. For example, alendronate ( Fosamax Generic ) is given in 70mg dose once a week; risedronate is 35 mg one a week; Ibandronate is given 150 mg once a month.

Bisphosphonates are to be taken first thing in the morning, that too on an empty stomach with a glass of water. You must sit upright for 30 minutes after taking the dose. Avoid taking any other medications, food or beverages for at least an hour after taking a bisphosphonate drug. Your prescribing doctor will explain to you the duration of therapy. For instance, with a low fracture risk, you may have to take Fosamax generic for at least five years.