Bone health is intricately connected to joint health, so the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis is related to arthritis for several reasons. People with inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as RA, have an increased risk of osteoporosis, partly because of the chemical changes occurring in the body due to the disease itself and partly because some medications used to treat RA deplete bone. People with OA tend to be older, and osteoporosis is a disease that occurs late in life.

A few decades ago, women who had or were at risk for osteoporosis had one medication option – estrogen. Because bone mass quickly diminishes when levels of the hormone drop at menopause, replacing estrogen seemed a solution to the bone-loss problem.

While estrogen is still used – and is included in this guide – increasing medication options make osteoporosis treatment possible for men, children and women who don’t want to risk estrogen’s adverse effects.

Medication options for osteoporosis fall into four categories: bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate and risedronate sodium), hormones, such as estrogens and calcitonin; selective receptor molecules (raloxifene hydrochloride) and the newest category, the bone formation agents (teriparatide). Osteoporosis drugs can slow bone loss, promote bone growth, reduce the risk of fractures and even ease the pain of fractures.

Regardless of the medication your doctor prescribes, ask about additional measures you can take – including a high-calcium diet, vitamin D supplements and bone-building exercise – to further improve bone health.

On Newsstands Now Get your own copy of the 2007 Drug Guide featured in the 20th Anniversary issue of Arthritis Today magazine. Arthritis Today The consumer health magazine published by the Arthritis Foundation six times a year. Order your FREE trial issue today!