Forteo vs. Tymlos: Which did you choose?

Question for all of you Forteo and Tymlos takers out there, is anyone concerned about the risk of osteosarcoma, stated for both drugs I believe?

The black box warning for Forteo has been lifted. I believe it first came out in 2002 and there has not been a single case. Tymlos is newer: that is probably the only reason the black box hasn't been lifted for that. As a person who had breast cancer, I do worry about small bone metastases growing but fractures are painful and disabling so it is well worth the risk in my view. But the osteosarcoma concern has proven to be unfounded.

I take Forteo. I have normal bone density but have broken numerous bones (in the 14, 15 range) with some rare fractures so I meet the Osteoporosis diagnosis criteria.
I saw the notes about the lab testing but also knew most of it was high doses. What makes me more comfortable is that it's been around for about 20 years and the medical professionals keep extending the number of years you can be treated with it.

The tortoise is sorry I must have read the text wrong or backward or something. Thanks for setting me straight. Glad you are still on Tynlos.
I am still at 7 and no higher. No side effects so far. Hope the hare reaches 7 and stay there with me until the end of two years. Stay well and safe.

Hello, I have had osteoporosis since 2014 but have been reluctant to go on any medication. My last dexa scan had my hips at -3.0. 10 year chance of fracture 3.9% for hip and 13.6. Rheumatologist suggests Forteo or Tymlos depending on what insurance will agree to followed by reclast or fosomax. I feel so worried but I see so many of you are on it. I am 63. Did you start right away? After diagnosis id you wait or did you start right away. How did you get past all the negatives like side effects. Thank you for sharing your story.

Good evening, @atoni2, and welcome to Connect. You have jumped into one of the most challenging and sometimes frightening areas of current medical practice ......osteoporosis. So....how did I justify jumping into the fray with all of the widening concerns about the expected results and the side effects that are inherent in most if not all medications. So...let me start with the why. I didn't worry about osteoporosis until I was 75 years old. My new PCP told me it was time to get a beginning DEXA scan and see what was happening.

It was at that moment when I remembered my mother's life being essentially over because she broke her hip in her early 80's, that I made the decision to start "something". My mother never walked again and withdrew from communication with her senior center friends. Her end of life was lonely and painful.

So I started on Boniva and was quickly thrown into side effects that included pain in my jaws to the point where I wanted to have all my teeth extracted. Because Boniva is a bisphosphonate, it was determined that I would have the same issues with any of the other medications except two rather new ones....Forteo and Tymlos. I chose Tymlos because it didn't have to be refrigerated and the manufacturer's medical team was willing to spend time explaining how it worked. After two years of holding my own and returning to osteopenia, it was time to stop building bone and start saving it from disappearing. Prolia is the only second step that is not a bisphosphonate so I had no other choices.

I have had two injections so far......without side effects and so I will continue for the safety from fractures that is expected. I know that we are all living longer these days and my choice is to have the best quality of life available to me.

May you be free, safe, and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

I need to decide on my next drug. I an 58 and have been on alendronate for five years. My doctor is suggesting Evenity, Forteo or Tymlos. I am a breast cancer survivor (no chemo) and I have recently been diagnosed with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (treatment is watch and wait). What experience, side effects, outcomes have you had with these drugs? I am grateful for your thoughts.

I chose Tymlos because the pen has 8 clicks and so dose is adjustable. I am sensitive to meds and needed to titrate up, and am still at only 6-7 clicks, which my doc says is okay. I also had breast cancer. Evenity seems to have fewer side effects but is so new I wanted to wait on that. Tymlos side effects change mostly for the better after a month or so and might include headache, nausea, heart palpitations, but if you start at 2-4 clicks you can avoid them if you are one of those who have side effects.

Thanks so much. I am leaning in the same direction.

Also unlike Evenity Radius has an Assist program for Tymlos, depending on your income.