Which medications are most commonly used for osteoporosis treatment?

Bisphosphonates are — by far — the most common medications prescribed for osteoporosis treatment. Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva are just a few examples from this family of medications.

Hormones, such as estrogen, and some hormone-like medications approved for preventing and treating osteoporosis, such as raloxifene (Evista), also play a role in osteoporosis treatment. But fewer and fewer women are receiving these medications for osteoporosis treatment because the bisphosphonates are so effective.

Osteoporosis treatment medications.Doctors, in general, feel comfortable prescribing bisphosphonates for osteoporosis treatment. Fosamax — a commonly prescribed bisphosphonate — has been on the market for about 10 years, so there’s proven experience with safety. And bisphosphonates really don’t affect anything but the bone. Hormones, on the other hand, raise some concerns about what effects they’ll have on other parts of the body, such as the breast or circulation. With bisphosphonates, doctors have fewer concerns about side effects or medication interactions. These medications tend to be well tolerated, for the most part, by the women who take them.