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Which medication should I take?
With a number of osteoporosis drug treatments available, it is understandable to wonder which one is best for you.
In terms of effectiveness, they all reduce your risk of broken bones by roughly the same amount. Which treatment is right for you will depend on a number of things.
The way it's taken
Osteoporosis medications are taken in a variety of ways, including:
- tablets
- drinks
- injections
- infusions (drip).
You can discuss the different options with your doctor, who can help you work out which is best for you.
For example: if you already have an irritated food pipe or problems with swallowing, your doctor will probably recommend a drug that doesn't need to be swallowed, like a drip in your arm or an injection.
Possible side effects
You may not be offered a choice when you're first prescribed an osteoporosis medication, but your doctor should take any relevant medical history into account.
It’s worth remembering that all osteoporosis medications may cause side effects, but most people don't get any.
It can be useful and reassuring to learn the signs to look out for, how you can minimise any symptoms, and how the possible side effects compare with the benefit the medication will have for your bones.
If you do get side effects, speak to your doctor. They can reassess whether the treatment is right for you.
Your age and gender
Osteoporosis medications are usually licenced for use in postmenopausal women and men with osteoporosis.
If you are younger, there are fewer treatment options available. You may still be prescribed a medication outside of its licence, if your doctor believes it is the best treatment for you. The decision will be made by a specialist with expert knowledge of osteoporosis.
Local or NHS guidance
The medications your doctor is able to offer you are influenced by local or national NHS guidance.
This is based on things like:
- the benefits of taking the medication for you
- the cost of the medication
- long-term benefits to the NHS.
Are branded medications better than non-branded (generics)?
No.
In the UK, there are strict quality controls before both branded and non-branded products can be licenced. Both versions of a medication contain the same active ingredients. It is simply the additives and coatings that might differ.
