Osteoporosis drug treatments
Osteoporosis drug treatments help strengthen your bones and reduce your risk of breaking a bone. You may be offered medication if your risk of breaking a bone is significantly higher than normal.
Osteoporosis treatments can work by:
- slowing down the cells that break down bone (osteoclasts) – known as ‘antiresorptive’ drugs
- stimulating the cells that build new bone (osteoblasts) – known as ‘anabolic’ drugs
- a combination of both.
Osteoporosis treatments don't reduce the pain caused by broken bones. But there are other treatments and ways to manage pain.
What drug treatments are available?
Remote appointments
Remote (or virtual) appointments have become more common since the start of the pandemic. Many people find them much easier than travelling to their GP surgery or local hospital. Find out more about the different types of remote appointment you might be offered:
Read next:
- Do I need to take a treatment?
- Which treatment is right for me?
- Getting the best from your treatment
- How long should I take medication?
Watch our webinar on osteoporosis drug treatments:
If you're thinking about taking a drug treatment for osteoporosis, you may be interested in watching a conversation between osteoporosis experts Dr Nicola Peel, Dr Zoe Paskins and Professor David Armstrong, who discussed drug treatments in May 2022 as part of our #BoneMatters series of events.
Watch our discussion:
If you would like to find out more about the possible side effects of osteoporosis medications, you may be interested in watching a conversation with Dr Alison Black. This film is part of our #BoneMatters series of events