Osteoporosis treatment
Osteoporosis treatments help strengthen your bones and reduce your risk of breaking a bone. They're prescribed 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) - these are known as ‘antiresorptive’ drugs
- Stimulating the cells that build new bone (osteoblasts) - these are known as ‘anabolic’ drugs
- A combination of both
Osteoporosis treatments don't reduce pain caused by broken bones. Find out about managing pain.
Learn more in our video, How is osteoporosis treated?
A to Z of osteoporosis treatments
- Alendronate
- Denosumab
- HRT
- Ibandronate
- Raloxifene
- Risedronate
- Romosozumab
- Strontium ranelate
- Teriparatide
- Zoledronic acid
Decisions about treatment
Osteoporosis treatments are usually prescribed if your risk of breaking a bone is significantly higher than normal.
With a wide range of osteoporosis medications available, it's understandable to wonder which one is best for you. The decision about which treatment is right for you, and how long you need to take it, depends on your personal circumstances.
Short-term treatment may be all you need. If your risk of breaking a bone is high, it's likely you need to take a treatment for a longer period of time.
Getting the best from your treatment
Taking the time to read the instructions carefully and adjust your routine and lifestyle can help your bones get maximum benefit - and minimise unwanted side effects.
Here are some helpful pointers to help you succeed.
Virtual consultations
Once the coronavirus pandemic has passed, it’s likely that virtual consultations will be more common than they were before.
The pandemic means the NHS must try out new ways of caring for you. If these new ways are easier for you and medical staff, they’ll be used more often. Find out more below: