Drugs: Osteoporosis can be a doctor-induced disease. Several drugs are now known to be implicated in osteoporosis: Corticosteroids are famous for this (cortisone, predisone and all related steroids), thyroid hormone supplements such as thyroxine, isoniazid for tuberculosis, antibiotics especially tetracycline and its derivatives, tranquilizers and psychotropic drugs such as anti-depressants. This list will most likely increase as more cases of osteoporosis appear and more research is done. It is also important to beware of new drugs claiming to treat osteoporosis.
Common Osteoporosis Drugs, Their Actions and Side Effects
- Fosamax: (biphosphonate) What Fosamax does is it stops your body from breaking down old bone. Also, Fosamax is only 1 molecule different than Cascade dishwashing soap, and it can eat your stomach away – that’s why when you take it you have to keep moving. You’re not allowed to sit down – it has terrible possible gastric side effects.
More common side effects may include: Abdominal pain, anxiety, back pain, belching, bladder irritation, bone disorders and pain, bronchitis, bursitis, cataracts, chest pain, colitis, constipation, depression, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, dry eyes, eye infection, flu-like symptoms, gas, headache, high blood pressure, infection, insomnia, itching, joint disorders and pain, leg cramps, muscle pain, muscle weakness, nausea, neck pain, nerve pain, pain, pneumonia, rash, ringing in ears, sinus problems, sore throat, stomach bleeding, stuffy or runny nose, swelling, tendon problems, tumor, ulcers, urinary tract infection, vertigo, vision problems, weakness
Less common side effects may include: Anemia, angina, burning or prickly sensation, dental problems, ear infection, gastrointestinal distress, heart problems, hernia, rectal problems, skin cancer, stomach inflammation, tight muscles
- Actonel (risedronate) (biphosphonate) reducing the activity of the osteoclasts and slowing the loss of calcium from the bones.
- Side Effects: Body as a Whole: Infection, back pain, pain, abdominal pain, neck pain, asthenia, chest pain, neoplasm, hernia; cardiovascular: hypertension, cardiovascular disorder, angina pectoris; digestive: nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorder, rectal disorder, tooth disorder, hemic and lymphatic ecchymosis, anemia; musculoskeletal: arthralgia, joint disorder, myalgia, bone pain, bone disorder, leg cramps, bursitis, tendon disorder; nervous: depression, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, neuralgia, vertigo, hypertonia, paresthesia; respiratory: pharyngitis, rhinitis, dyspnea, pneumonia; skin and appendages: rash, pruritus, skin carcinoma; special senses: cataract, conjunctivitis, otitis media.
- Boniva (ibandronate sodium) (biphosphonate) is a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
Side Effects: Back pain, pain in extremity, infection, asthenia, allergic reaction, digestive system, dyspepsia, diarrhea, tooth, vomiting disorder, gastritis, metabolic and nutritional disorders, hypercholesterolemia, musculoskeletal system, myalgia, joint disorder, arthritis, nervous system, Headache, dizziness, vertigo, nerve root lesion, respiratory system, upper respiratory infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, urogenital system, urinary tract infection.
- Evista (raloxifene) Selective estrogen receptor modulator
More common side effects may include: Abdominal pain, arthritis, breast pain, bronchitis, chest pain, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, flu symptoms, gas, gynecological problems, headache, hot flashes, increased cough, indigestion, infection, insomnia, joint pain, leg cramps, muscle ache, nasal inflammation, nausea, rash, sinusitis, sore throat, stomach and intestinal problems, sweating, swelling, tendon soreness, uterine discharge, urinary tract infection, vomiting, weight gain.
Less common side effects may include: Decreased sense of touch, fainting, laryngitis, migraine, nerve pain (neuralgia), pinkeye (conjunctivitis), pneumonia, urinary disorders, varicose veins, vaginal bleeding.
- Miacalcin (calcitonin salmon nasal spray) Miacalcin Nasal Spray is a synthetic form of calcitonin, a naturally occurring hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Miacalcin reduces the rate of calcium loss from bones. Since less calcium passes from the bones to the blood, Miacalcin also helps control blood calcium levels.
More common side effects may include: Back pain, headache, joint pain, nasal inflammation, nasal symptoms (crusts, dryness, redness, sores, irritation, itching, thick feeling, soreness, paleness, infection, narrowing of passages, runny or blocked nose, small wounds, bleeding wound, uncomfortable feeling), nosebleed.
Less common side effects may include: Flushing, nausea, possible allergic reaction, respiratory tract irritation.
- Forteo is a synthetic form of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is naturally found in the body. The synthetic hormone is PTH acts on bone building cells called osteoblasts to stimulate new bone growth and improve bone density. Unlike agents already in use that prevent further bone loss (such as estrogen and bisphosphonate), synthetic PTH may have the potential to replace depleted bone stores. Side effects include: Headache, Asthenia, Neck pain, Hypertension, Angina pectoris, Syncope, Nausea, Constipation, Dizziness, Depression, Insomnia, Vertigo, Pain.
- Didronel (etidronate) Biphosphonates work by binding very tightly to bone, preventing the removal of calcium from the bone cells. This decreases breakdown and turnover of bone in the body. Side Effects: Diarrhea, confusion, nausea, bone pain, pain in the joints (arthralgia), severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema), rash or itching, worsening of asthma, worsening of peptic ulcer, blood disorders, pins and needles (paraesthesia).
- Skelid (tiludronate) Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: headache, sinus congestion, back pain. Unlikely but report promptly: jaw pain, chest pain, ankle swelling, numbness or unusual sensations, dizziness, fainting, coughing, vomiting, joint pain, rash, vision/eye problems. Very unlikely but report promptly: difficulty or pain on swallowing, black/tarry stools.
- Alendronate is the first non-hormonal osteoporosis drug. Alendronate is a compound that alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body. Alendronate increases new bone formation. After swallowing the tablet or oral solution, do not lie down. Remain fully upright sitting, standing or walking, for at least 30 minutes and until after you have eaten. Alendronate inhibits bone removal by the osteoclasts. Alendronate is generally well tolerated. Side effects are infrequent and mild. Side effects include stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, Allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, closing of throat, swelling of lips, tongue, face or hives; chest pain, eye pain, rash, altered sense of taste, constipation, diarrhea, new or worsening heart burn; muscle, bone or joint soreness or aches, and headache. Alendronate can irritate the esophagus to cause heartburn in patients who lie down flat after swallowing, thereby delaying passage of the medication to the stomach.
© 2006 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
