Treatment of Osteoporosis in Men

Once a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia is determined, the doctor may talk about medications available to treat bone loss. The goal of treatment is to prevent the development of osteoporosis (if decreased bone mass or other risk factors are present) and to prevent further bone loss (especially if osteoporosis has already been diagnosed). The bottom line is to preserve the bone mass and density present to decrease the risk of broken bones (osteoporotic fractures) and disability. The many treatments available today have been shown to work quickly (within 1 year), and they reduce the risk of fracture by up to 50%. The choice of treatment should fit a person's specific medical needs and lifestyle, so talking to the doctor is important. See Understanding Osteoporosis Medications for more information.

• Alendronate (Fosamax) is approved as a treatment for osteoporosis in men. Alendronate and risedronate (Actonel) are approved for use in steroid-induced osteoporosis that occurs in men and women as a result of long-term use of steroids such as prednisone or cortisone.   



• Although many medications are prescribed to treat osteoporosis in women, currently they are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in men, but investigational studies in men are in progress.



• To help men with osteoporosis and low testosterone, doctors may recommend testosterone replacement therapy. In men, testosterone results in a small, but significant increase in bone density. Calcitonin is another medication that slows or stops bone loss and may relieve the pain of fractures in some patients. Calcitonin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It has not been studied in men, but evidence suggests that it may work the same in men as in women. Calcitonin is available as an injection and as a nasal spray.



• Teriparatide (Forteo) contains a portion of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) molecule and has been shown to increase bone density of the spine in men. It is administered as a daily injection that is approved for men with hypogonadal (low testosterone) osteoporosis.



• Sodium fluoride is a medication still under investigation (recommended for approval by an FDA committee)