nor to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed they are chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to best enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings the method of this invention involves the administration of an effective amount of a formula i compound to a patient at risk of developing osteoporosis administration may be either oral or parenteral the effective amount of the formula i compound will necessarily depend upon the severity of the risk of the patient 39 s developing osteoporosis or the severity of the condition if the patient ahs already been diagnosed since the formula i compounds are essentially nontoxic large amounts can be safely administered the preferred dosage to reduce the risk osteoporosis may be as low as 0 1 mg kg up to 1 000 mg kg the more severe the risk of disease or occurrence thereof the more formula i compound should be administered to provide an effective response the patient at risk should replenish the plasma supply of formula i compound frequently to obtain maximum benefits of the agent administration is preferably through parenteral or oral routes most preferably oral for parenteral administration the formula i compound is dissolved in a suitable solvent most preferably water to produce.