Medicines That Can Cause Osteoporosis

Topic Overview

Certain medicines are known to cause bone loss, which may lead to osteoporosis. These include:

• Corticosteroids, used to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If used for a period of 6 months or longer, corticosteroids can lead to steroid-induced osteoporosis.
• Thyroid replacement medicine, if the dose is more than the body needs. This should be monitored by checking the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at least every year.
• Antiseizure medicines, such as phenytoin or carbamazepine.
• Medicines used to treat endometriosis, such as leuprolide (Lupron Depot) and nafarelin acetate (Synarel).
• Aromatase inhibitors, used to treat breast cancer.
• Hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer.
• Some antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are used to treat many conditions, including depression, fibromyalgia, and premenstrual syndrome.
• Heparin, a blood thinner, if used for a long time.
• Depo-Provera, a birth control medicine given by injection, if used for a long time
• Antacids that contain aluminum, if they are overused. Aluminum-containing antacids remove calcium from your body.
• Some diabetes medicines, such as rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos).

Related Information

• Bone Mineral Density
• Hip Fracture
• Osteoporosis

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