Drugs for osteoporosis (used to treat and prevent fractures)

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If you’re diagnosed with osteoporosis following a low-impact fracture, then the fracture will need to be treated first. The next step is to begin treatment to reduce your risk of further fractures.

Treatment of fractures

Most fractures are first treated in A&E. Unless you have a vertebral compression fracture, you'll probably have a cast on the affected area to stop it moving and allow the fracture to heal. In some cases the fracture may need to be manipulated by a specialist first or it may need surgical fixing.

It's likely that you'll need pain relief medications while the fracture heals, for example:

Prevention of fractures

A number of specific treatments are available to reduce the risk of further fractures. You're likely to have a bone density scan before you start treatment, although this may not be needed, for example if you're 75 or over. Once you've started treatment your bone density, and possibly other aspects of your health, may be monitored.

Treatments to reduce the risk of fractures work either by slowing down the breakdown of old bone material, or by speeding up the process of bone renewal, or a combination of both.

Bone renewal is a slow process so it's important to continue treatment as your doctor advises – even though you won't be able to feel whether it's working.

Because longer-term treatment can sometimes have side-effects your doctor may suggest a break from your treatment after 3–5 years. The benefits of osteoporosis treatment last a long time so these won't be lost if your doctor does suggest a 'treatment holiday'.

Treatments to reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures include:

Strontium ranelate

This drug, which was produced under the brand name Protelos, was discontinued in 2017 but is now being produced again under the brand name Aristo. We will have further information on this drug soon.

If you were previously taking Protelos, you may want to speak to your doctor about Aristo.