Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Posted by suze317 @suze317, Oct 17, 2018

I have to make a decision on Forteo vs. Tymlos and am not sure what to choose. Forteo has been around a lot longer, but has to be refrigerated. Tymlos only around 1 1/2 years but is shelf stable and seems to have less side effects and less issues with calcium. Can anyone offer their perspective? Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@suerc

I have osteopenia. The start of osterperosis. It runs in the family. Grandmother had it , and my mom has it. I think genetics has some to do with it. I was on prolia for a few yrs and bones did well. Then my Dr retired. And I had no one to go to. Now I have a new Dr. My t score dropped a little in the 2 yrs I didn't see anyone. So now they want to prevent it from getting worse. I am taking Diet do. Only side affect so far is a terrible headache. I have been on it for 1 week so will see if it goes away.

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Also injecting is not bad at all.

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@suerc

I have osteopenia. The start of osterperosis. It runs in the family. Grandmother had it , and my mom has it. I think genetics has some to do with it. I was on prolia for a few yrs and bones did well. Then my Dr retired. And I had no one to go to. Now I have a new Dr. My t score dropped a little in the 2 yrs I didn't see anyone. So now they want to prevent it from getting worse. I am taking Diet do. Only side affect so far is a terrible headache. I have been on it for 1 week so will see if it goes away.

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@suerc Ive had Osteopenia for along time also Im glad the medicine helps you and everyone that it helps .I choose to just take my Vit-Mineral med and exercise so far so good 👍.

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@lioness

@suerc Ive had Osteopenia for along time also Im glad the medicine helps you and everyone that it helps .I choose to just take my Vit-Mineral med and exercise so far so good 👍.

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@lioness I wish you well with this. I hate having to take these types of meds.

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@seurec what is diet do? I hate it when I have to look for a new doctor! Please let me know how you fare and if your headache s go away.

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I am 63 years old with a kidney transplant. I have 1-1/2 year of my transplant operation. I have a very bad osteoporosis, and my doctor recommend Tymlos but I could not tolerate this medicine . Too much side effect. Now the doctor recommend Forteo. I have using this med in injection for 1-1/2 week . I can tolerate this med better . I have only a little pain in my back for seconds and goes away. I am glad I want to rebuild my bones again.

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@kanaazpereira

Hello @leacy,

You're correct in that Tymlos (Abaloparatide) is the newest osteoporosis medication. According to Mayo Clinic, "Like teriparatide (Forteo), it has the potential to rebuild bone. In a research trial comparing these two treatments, abaloparatide appeared to be as effective as teriparatide but was less likely to cause an excess of calcium." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/in-depth/osteoporosis-treatment/art-20046869
More details about Tymlos can also be found here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/abaloparatide-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20406221

I'm tagging @gdaniels138 @lynnes @dolan @kevinking @rannie @jojojo @rnwholovedtowork, as they might have more insights to share with you.
I would also encourage you to go through this incredibly informative discussion on Connect:
– Treating osteoperosis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-im-new-to-the-site-and-am-interested-in-treating-osteoperosis/

@leacy, may I ask what treatments you've tried so far?

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I’ve just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Age 59. Male. Unfortunately took significant prednisone which led to a bone density test (results -3.2 hip, wrist. -2.9 spine.). Dr strongly recommended immediate bone regeneration medication. Due to my job (extensive travel) Tymlos was suggested. Not worried about giving daily shots but highly concerned about side effects that will effect quality of live and dealing with them while overseas. In particular, dizziness and headaches. Getting 2nd opinion next week (suspect it will be similar). Grateful for input on severity of side effects.

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@denvergary

I’ve just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Age 59. Male. Unfortunately took significant prednisone which led to a bone density test (results -3.2 hip, wrist. -2.9 spine.). Dr strongly recommended immediate bone regeneration medication. Due to my job (extensive travel) Tymlos was suggested. Not worried about giving daily shots but highly concerned about side effects that will effect quality of live and dealing with them while overseas. In particular, dizziness and headaches. Getting 2nd opinion next week (suspect it will be similar). Grateful for input on severity of side effects.

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I understand your concerns about side effects of Tymlos or Forteo..But studies have shown that not treating your osteoporosis is much worse..The benefits outweigh the risks..For instance the biggest problem I had was the one side effect of osteiocarcinoma, in short, bone cancer..I believe that only one human got that, but she had cancer & radiation at a time in her life..they pretty much linked it to that..Another thing, is don't smoke..your ruining your chances of building bone at all! I have been injecting Tymlos for 2 months now, the side effects are mild..the only one I experienced is a headache for the first 3 or 4 days (not a migraine) and a slightly rapid heartbeat...you just feel a little hyper but it didn't slow me down...The injections are a piece of cake..takes me 5 minutes and done. My osteoporosis is in my lower lumbar....a second opinion is good, but probably will be the same recommendation...mine is not genetic, it's probably due to dieting etc during my 30's 40's, trying to have that perfect body...I wish you luck with everything!

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I am 59 was a runner and trained with weights most of my life. I found out I have severe osteoporosis 2.8 in hips 3.6 in spine and 4 in forearm. The radiologist misread my scan 2 years ago and said I had osteopenia. In the past year I had spinal fusion surgery and am still recovering. I’m sure the steroid meds I was given for my back made the scans even worse. My doctor wants me to use Tymlos. The side effects sound horrible and I already live with weekly migraines and nausea from that. The doctor told me osteoporosis is 85% genetic and both my mother and grandmother had it. I am trying to find an alternative to Tymlos and am looking into Algacal, they guarantee your bone scans to increase. Has anyone heard of this working avoiding the drugs.

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@electii: There are Facebook groups that deal with this subject. I am skeptical since their money back guarantee is only if you do the dexa right before starting algaecal which many people don't.

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For those of your taking Calcium, Magnesium and DS-3, please add Vitamin K2 (MK7form) to your list of supplements. "For Healthy Bones. Research has shown that Vitamin K2 is one of the most important nutrients for long-term bone health and that it is even more important than calcium. K2 is needed to help calcium and other minerals bind into the bone matrix to strengthen bones (and not to stay in soft tissue where it can cause calcification in the wrong places). In fact, studies have shown that Vitamin K is effective at not just stopping bone loss in people with osteoporosis but potentially reversing it as well."

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