depending on your situation particularly if you have already broken a bone your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and further fractures. medications that may be used for osteopenia or prevention of osteoporosis in these cases include: bisphosphonates. bisphosphonates are medications that slow the natural process that breaks down bone which results in maintenance or a small increase of bone density. bisphosphonates are the main drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. this class of drugs includes alendronate (fosamax) ibandronate (boniva) risedronate (actonel) and zolendronic acid (reclast). most bisphosphonates are taken by mouth usually once a week or once a month. reclast is given by injection usually once a year. calcitonin. calcitonin a hormone that helps prevent the breakdown of bone in people is also found in salmon. available generically and under the brand names fortical and miacalcin it is given by injection or nasal spray. hormone replacement therapy. once a popular therapy for preventing bone loss hormone replacement therapy is rarely used for that purpose anymore because it has been found to increase the risk for deep venous thrombosis (blood clots in the leg) pulmonary embolus (blood clots in the lung) and other health problems. sometimes if hormone replacement has been helpful for easing a woman's menopausal symptoms her doctor may recommend continuing it for bone loss too. if you are considering hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis speak with your doctor about the potential risks. parathyroid hormone. teriparatide (forteo) a portion of hormone made by your parathyroid glands is the first agent to stimulate the formation of new bone. it is approved for women and men and is given daily by a shot beneath the skin. raloxifene. raloxifene (evista) which is similar to the breast cancer drug tamoxifen is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. it may also be protective against heart disease and breast cancer; however more studies are needed to confirm its protective effect. it is taken by mouth once a day.
what medications can help prevent or slow the progression of osteopenia and osteoporosis?