The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires evaluation of osteoporosis medicines in large clinical trials that assess the effect of the study medicine on fracture reduction. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the following medicines for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
The bisphosphonate class makes up the largest group of medicines available. These medicines work by slowing down bone turnover and the breakdown of bone. Two of the four compounds are available in generic forms.
Alendronate
generic alendronate
Binosto® (an effervescent tablet that dissolves in water)
Fosamax®
Fosamax plus D®
Ibandronate
generic ibandronate
Boniva®
Risedronate
Actonel®
Atelvia® (same medicine as Actonel but taken after breakfast)
Zoledronic acid
Reclast®
Other medicines that work by slowing down bone turnover and the breakdown of bone include:
Calcitonin
Fortical®
Miacalcin®
Denosumab
Prolia®
Raloxifene
Evista®
Only one medicine works by directly increasing the activity of bone building cells called osteoblasts:
Teriparatide
Forteo®
Estrogens are indicated for prevention of osteoporosis only not treatment.
Options for Men, Too
The choices for men with low bone mass or osteoporosis include:
Bisphosphonates: Actonel® (risedronate), Fosamax® – generic alendronate, and Reclast® (zoledronic acid)
Forteo® (teriparatide)
Prolia® (denosumab)
For further information, refer to the individual description each medicine in this section.