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Osteoporosis treatments: What did you choose?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Oct 9, 2022 | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
Forteo vs. Prolia vs. Reclast?
At my recent DEXA, my lowest T-score was -3.3 (at lumbar spine). I previously took oral Alendronate for four years, and stopped in 2016. I haven’t taken any medication since then for the last six years. I’ve never had a fracture and I’m generally active and healthy and practice yoga almost daily. I have had ulcerative colitis in the past, but not active for many years. My endocrinologist recommended starting osteoporosis medication and gave me a choice between three options:
1) Forteo daily injections (followed by Reclast infusion)
2) Prolia every six months for 2-4 years, with re-assessment, and followed by Reclast infusion
3) Reclast infusion once a year for three years.
My understanding is that Forteo is the only one of these drugs that actually builds bone, so that may be best but I’m not keen on the daily injection. With Prolia, the bone density is likely to drop rapidly after stopping, requiring a course of Reclast immediately following. That leaves Reclast as my choice, but I’m still not sure if that’s the best option.
I’d be grateful for any information to help with this decision.
Thank you!
Replies to "Forteo vs. Prolia vs. Reclast? At my recent DEXA, my lowest T-score was -3.3 (at lumbar..."
Welcome @mint. With all the choices out there, it can be hard to choose the right treatment for you. For this reason, I moved your question about Forteo vs. Prolia vs. Reclast to this existing discussion:
- Osteoporosis treatments: What did you choose?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/osteoporosis-treatments-1/
I did this so you can read the previous posts and easily connect with members like @notmoff @d1076g @sue225 @suze317 @mj20 @bee1950 and more. As @windyshores points out, there are more options than the 3 you listed as well.
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Other options are Tymlos and Evenity. You can apparently take Evenity after Tymlos or Forteo, but not the other way around, so I would start with Tymlos or Evenity.
I like Tymlos because the dose is adjustable and I started at a low dose on the pen, then moved up. The injections are easy.
I am doing Tymlos for 18 months then depending on DEXA, will do either Evenity for more growth, or Reclast. My doc says I can take breaks from meds depending on monitoring results.
If insurance doesn't cover these meds, and you are income eligible, Tymlos and Forteo both have patient assistance programs. I have read and believe that the sequence of these meds is important and that it is better to build quality bone first, then use bisphosphonates to maintain, as my doc suggests.