You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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Is this information for you?
This information may be right for you if:
This information may not be right for you if:
If you're not sure if this information is for you, talk with your doctor about this decision.
Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your
Low bone density means you are at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
Low bone density is sometimes called osteopenia. It's important to know that low bone density is not a disease. Not everyone with low bone density gets osteoporosis or has a fracture. If you have low bone density and a high FRAX score, your doctor may recommend bisphosphonates. You both will decide if these medicines are right for you.
Your doctor may suggest a
Whether or not you take medicine, experts recommend that you:
Most of these healthy habits are good for your body for other reasons, too. For example, it's good for your heart if you get regular physical activity, avoid drinking too much, and avoid smoking.
Some people decide with their doctors that they want to try healthy habits alone without taking bisphosphonates. Your doctor will probably ask you to check in over time to see how that plan is working. Having your doctor keep track of your risk of a fracture will help you know if healthy habits alone are still enough to protect your bones.
Bisphosphonates are the most common medicines used to prevent bone loss in people who have osteoporosis or have a high risk of a fracture. They slow the way bone dissolves and is absorbed by your body. They can increase bone thickness and strength.
They include:
Different kinds of bisphosphonates are taken in different ways. Many are taken once a week. Others are taken once a day or once a month.
Most of these medicines should be taken in the morning with a full glass of water at least 30 minutes before eating a meal, drinking a beverage, or taking any other medicine. If your doctor prescribes the form of risedronate called Atelvia, take it right after breakfast with a glass of water.
Zoledronic acid is injected into a vein in your arm. Most people who use it get just one dose each year. One form of ibandronate is also given in a vein, usually every 3 months.
Some people may benefit more from taking bisphosphonates than other people. It's important to find out your risk of having a fracture.
Your doctor can help you understand your risk of having a fracture. Your risk depends on several things, including:
Your doctor might use the FRAX tool to help predict your risk of having a fracture related to osteoporosis in the next 10 years. You can use this tool too. Go to the website at www.sheffield.ac.uk/FRAX, and click on Calculation Tool. If you have had a bone density test on your hip, you can enter your score. If you haven't had that test, you can leave the score blank.
For women who have been through menopause, men over the age of 50, and others with certain health conditions:
Side effects can happen while taking bisphosphonate pills. For example, some people feel heartburn or irritation of the
If you start taking bisphosphonates and have problems with side effects, you can try other medicines. Talk with your doctor.
Rarely, certain bone problems have been reported in people taking bisphosphonates. These include problems with the jaw and fracture of the thighbone. More research is needed to find out if taking bisphosphonates is a cause of these problems. Out of 1,000 people, about 1 person has a bone side effect during a year of taking bisphosphonates. That means 999 out of 1,000 people do not have a bone side effect.
Doctors don't know for sure how long people need to take bisphosphonates. That's because there hasn't been enough research to show how helpful these medicines are if you take them for more than 5 years.
If you decide to take bisphosphonates, you and your doctor can talk over time about how long to take them, based on your fracture risk and other factors. Your doctor will recheck your bone health in 3 to 5 years. The doctor may recommend you take a break from the medicines at some point.
Bisphosphonates aren't right for everyone. Depending on your health, your doctor may suggest other medicines to help prevent bone loss. Or your doctor may suggest these other medicines if you are having a problem with side effects from bisphosphonates.
Other medicines include:
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
My doctor told me that I have a few risk factors for getting osteoporosis. My mother had it, and my bone density is low. Since I'm at a higher risk, I decided to take bisphosphonates and find a weight-bearing activity I can stick with. I have small bones like my mother, and she suffered terribly after she broke her hip.
Clarissa, age 60
I was bummed when my doctor said my bone density is a little low. But then she said, "It's not just about your bone density, Joy. We need to look at your overall risk of a fracture." When she showed me the numbers, my risk was pretty small. And my doctor said, "You're already doing all the right things to protect your bones." I like to jog and lift weights. So we decided I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, and we'll keep an eye on my risk over time.
Joy, age 56
I broke my hip when I fell in the bathroom. My doctor says I have osteoporosis. He told me why experts recommend medicine for people like me. I don't like pills, but I definitely don't want to break another bone. I'm going to take the medicines.
Jack, age 77
My doctor used her computer to figure out my risk of breaking a bone. My risk looked pretty high. I was worried. She said bisphosphonates would lower my risk. I was worried they might give me heartburn. But she said that if I follow the instructions, I can probably avoid that side effect. I decided to give them a try.
Brenda, age 65
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to take bisphosphonate medicines
Reasons to try healthy habits alone
I'm worried about my risk of a fracture, and I want to do everything I can to lower it.
I'm not very worried about my risk of a fracture.
I don't mind taking pills or getting shots if it will reduce my risk of a fracture.
I don't like the idea of taking pills or getting shots.
I'm already doing everything I can to help protect my bones through healthy habits.
I could do more to protect my bones by improving my healthy habits.
I'm not worried about the side effects of these medicines.
I am worried about the side effects of these medicines.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking bisphosphonates
Trying healthy habits alone
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Author | |
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Clinical Review Board | All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Is this information for you?
This information may be right for you if:
This information may not be right for you if:
If you're not sure if this information is for you, talk with your doctor about this decision.
Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your
Low bone density means you are at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
Low bone density is sometimes called osteopenia. It's important to know that low bone density is not a disease. Not everyone with low bone density gets osteoporosis or has a fracture. If you have low bone density and a high FRAX score, your doctor may recommend bisphosphonates. You both will decide if these medicines are right for you.
Your doctor may suggest a
Whether or not you take medicine, experts recommend that you:
Most of these healthy habits are good for your body for other reasons, too. For example, it's good for your heart if you get regular physical activity, avoid drinking too much, and avoid smoking.
Some people decide with their doctors that they want to try healthy habits alone without taking bisphosphonates. Your doctor will probably ask you to check in over time to see how that plan is working. Having your doctor keep track of your risk of a fracture will help you know if healthy habits alone are still enough to protect your bones.
Bisphosphonates are the most common medicines used to prevent bone loss in people who have osteoporosis or have a high risk of a fracture. They slow the way bone dissolves and is absorbed by your body. They can increase bone thickness and strength.
They include:
Different kinds of bisphosphonates are taken in different ways. Many are taken once a week. Others are taken once a day or once a month.
Most of these medicines should be taken in the morning with a full glass of water at least 30 minutes before eating a meal, drinking a beverage, or taking any other medicine. If your doctor prescribes the form of risedronate called Atelvia, take it right after breakfast with a glass of water.
Zoledronic acid is injected into a vein in your arm. Most people who use it get just one dose each year. One form of ibandronate is also given in a vein, usually every 3 months.
Some people may benefit more from taking bisphosphonates than other people. It's important to find out your risk of having a fracture.
Your doctor can help you understand your risk of having a fracture. Your risk depends on several things, including:
Your doctor might use the FRAX tool to help predict your risk of having a fracture related to osteoporosis in the next 10 years. You can use this tool too. Go to the website at www.sheffield.ac.uk/FRAX, and click on Calculation Tool. If you have had a bone density test on your hip, you can enter your score. If you haven't had that test, you can leave the score blank.
For women who have been through menopause, men over the age of 50, and others with certain health conditions:
Side effects can happen while taking bisphosphonate pills. For example, some people feel heartburn or irritation of the
If you start taking bisphosphonates and have problems with side effects, you can try other medicines. Talk with your doctor.
Rarely, certain bone problems have been reported in people taking bisphosphonates. These include problems with the jaw and fracture of the thighbone. More research is needed to find out if taking bisphosphonates is a cause of these problems. Out of 1,000 people, about 1 person has a bone side effect during a year of taking bisphosphonates. That means 999 out of 1,000 people do not have a bone side effect.
Doctors don't know for sure how long people need to take bisphosphonates. That's because there hasn't been enough research to show how helpful these medicines are if you take them for more than 5 years.
If you decide to take bisphosphonates, you and your doctor can talk over time about how long to take them, based on your fracture risk and other factors. Your doctor will recheck your bone health in 3 to 5 years. The doctor may recommend you take a break from the medicines at some point.
Bisphosphonates aren't right for everyone. Depending on your health, your doctor may suggest other medicines to help prevent bone loss. Or your doctor may suggest these other medicines if you are having a problem with side effects from bisphosphonates.
Other medicines include:
Take bisphosphonates | Try using healthy habits alone | |
---|---|---|
What is usually involved? |
|
|
What are the benefits? |
|
|
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"My doctor told me that I have a few risk factors for getting osteoporosis. My mother had it, and my bone density is low. Since I'm at a higher risk, I decided to take bisphosphonates and find a weight-bearing activity I can stick with. I have small bones like my mother, and she suffered terribly after she broke her hip."
— Clarissa, age 60
"I was bummed when my doctor said my bone density is a little low. But then she said, "It's not just about your bone density, Joy. We need to look at your overall risk of a fracture." When she showed me the numbers, my risk was pretty small. And my doctor said, "You're already doing all the right things to protect your bones." I like to jog and lift weights. So we decided I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, and we'll keep an eye on my risk over time."
— Joy, age 56
"I broke my hip when I fell in the bathroom. My doctor says I have osteoporosis. He told me why experts recommend medicine for people like me. I don't like pills, but I definitely don't want to break another bone. I'm going to take the medicines."
— Jack, age 77
"My doctor used her computer to figure out my risk of breaking a bone. My risk looked pretty high. I was worried. She said bisphosphonates would lower my risk. I was worried they might give me heartburn. But she said that if I follow the instructions, I can probably avoid that side effect. I decided to give them a try."
— Brenda, age 65
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to take bisphosphonate medicines
Reasons to try healthy habits alone
I'm worried about my risk of a fracture, and I want to do everything I can to lower it.
I'm not very worried about my risk of a fracture.
I don't mind taking pills or getting shots if it will reduce my risk of a fracture.
I don't like the idea of taking pills or getting shots.
I'm already doing everything I can to help protect my bones through healthy habits.
I could do more to protect my bones by improving my healthy habits.
I'm not worried about the side effects of these medicines.
I am worried about the side effects of these medicines.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking bisphosphonates
Trying healthy habits alone
1. Should all women take bisphosphonates after menopause?
2. Do you still need to exercise even if you take bisphosphonates?
3. If I don't have osteoporosis, is there any reason for me to take bisphosphonates?
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
By | |
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Clinical Review Board | All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author:
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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