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What are the long-term positive/negatives of taking osteoporosis meds?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Mar 7 12:42pm | Replies (38)Comment receiving replies
Julie 59,
a brief rundown
There are basically two classes of osteoporosis medications: antiresorptives and anabolics.
It seems like there are a lot of choices because the bisphosphonates have so many different names. Some based on whether you take them by mouth or by infusion. There are two other medications Prolia and Evenity that are also antiresorptive. The work primarily by interrupting the normal process of bone renewal by stopping the initial stage of breaking the bone down. So they increase bone density by collecting older, fissured bone.
The yearly infusion you are offered is Reclast (brand name) zoledronate (generic). It blocks the cells that break down bone effectively and collects the older bone efficiently. Generally, people are given a second infusion after a year.
Prolia is every six months. Once you start Prolia, it is difficult to quit because it it blocks and collects the cells that breakdown bone and when you stop all those acid producing cells are released on your bone and many have multiple fractures. These patients almost always take Reclast for one or two years after Prolia.
Evenity is an injection every month. It blocks the production of the cells that breakdown bone in the pre-cell stage. And adds some bone over the old. Normally followed by another medication Evenity is given twice, though now some are taking it for two years.
Then there are the anabolics: Tymlos and Forteo. They encourage the normal process of renewal of the bone. Increasing the cells that build bone and the cells that break bone down. Called remodeled bone it is the best most resilient, most integrated bone. Both medications are self given by injection with a tiny needle every day.
With all these drugs there are side effects for some individuals.
This is the best site to field questions. We welcome all questions and vary in opinion.
Replies to "Julie 59, a brief rundown There are basically two classes of osteoporosis medications: antiresorptives and anabolics...."
Actually Evenity is also considered an anabolic that builds new bone as well as an anti absorptive the last few months (of the year).
Becky 70,
I have taken every medication there is for osteoporosis. I have had severe back fractures, budging disc, and lost 5 inches due to osteoporosis. I have been on PROLIA for 10 years. It has stopped working.My Dexa scan is a -2. If You stop taking PROLIA after 30 days you will immediately start losing bone and will regress into fractures. So its something to think about.I was taken off of Hormones due to a hysterectomy at age 39 and immediately started losing bone.I did NOT know This until it was TOO late.The scare Of Breast cancer back then was the reason. If I could go back , I would choose Hormones. I Have a specialist that says I have to continue the PROLIA.
@gently what happens after you build your bones on Tymlos or Evinity and take something for the rebound for a year, then what? Are we subject to lifetime medication? My endo is very evasive.
@gently Did I read that you slightly prefer Forteo. What are the reasons you slightly prefer Forteo. I am interested. I remember you wrote recommending Forteo to me but I cannot find the post. Thanks for your help. I am trying to be proactive and well informed.
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Hi, @gently I really appreciate the insights you share in this group. They’ve been really helpful to me along the way. It’s apparent that you are quite knowledgeable and seem to closely follow the multitude of data available. I’d love to learn more about the mechanism through which Evenity works, primarily around the building of new bone over old and how this relates to bone quality. I wonder if you could direct me to any studies you find particularly helpful with this, either here or via direct message? I’ve dug around a good bit and am still not quite clear on this. As this is the drug I’m currently taking, I’d like to understand this better. Many thanks for any pointers you are able to provide.