Medical Management of Osteoporosis When Bisphosphonates Fail

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass, bone fragility and subsequent increased risk for fractures. Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed drug for treatment of osteoporosis, and they have been shown to be effective in reducing risk of vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fractures. Some patients, however, are not good candidates for bisphosphonate therapy, either due to comorbities such as renal insufficiency, or due to ongoing fractures despite therapy. In either case, multiple other agents can be used to treat osteoporosis. In this article we will review the FDA-approved therapies to treat osteoporosis other than bisphosphonates, and we will highlight the most recent clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of these various agents. 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.