Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are steps you can take to prevent it or to slow or stop its progress.

Adequate calcium, vitamin D, appropriate exercise and, in some cases, medication are important for maintaining bone health. Currently, bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva), calcitonin, estrogens, parathyroid hormone (Forteo) and raloxifene (Evista) are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis.

The bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva), calcitonin (Miacalcin), estrogens and raloxifene (Evista) affect the bone remodeling cycle and are classified as anti-resorptive medications. Bone remodeling consists of two distinct stages: bone resorption and bone formation. During resorption, special cells on the bone's surface dissolve bone tissue and create small cavities. During formation, other cells fill the cavities with new bone tissue. Usually, bone resorption and bone formation are linked so that they occur in close sequence and remain balanced. An imbalance in the bone remodeling cycle causes bone loss that eventually leads to osteoporosis and fracture risk. Anti-resorptive medications slow or stop the bone-resorbing portion of the bone-remodeling cycle but do not slow the bone-forming portion of the cycle. As a result, new formation continues at a greater rate than bone resorption, and bone density may increase over time.

Teriparatide (Forteo), a form of parathyroid hormone, is a newly approved osteoporosis medication. It is the first osteoporosis medication to increase the rate of bone formation in the bone remodeling cycle.

After you and I (or one of your other health care professionals)  have talked about the options available to prevent or treat osteoporosis, or if we've discussed the risks and benefits of a particular medication, it is important that you stick with the plan to which you and I have agreed. Most people cannot feel their bones getting stronger or weaker, so if you decide that a particular treatment plan is not right for you, please discuss your concerns with your physician first, before stopping or interrupting treatment. NOF's (National Osteoporosis Foundation) Five Steps to Bone Health and Osteoporosis Prevention are most effective when used in combination. Failure to stick with any one of these steps may result in a less effective outcome from calcium, vitamin D, exercise or medication.

• Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D

• Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise

• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol

• Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health

• Have a bone density test and take medication when appropriate

For specific information on each class of drugs, please click on the links below.

Biphosphonates Calcitonin Hormone Therapy Raloxifene (Evista) Parathyroid Hormone

The information on this page was obtained  from the National Osteoporosis Foundation website, www.nof.org