Promising Treatments For Osteoporosis On Market
MIAMI (CBS4) - Osteoporosis is a silent disease that haunts millions of women and men in America slowly breaking down their bones.
Fortunately there are a number of treatments out there.
"It was kind of shock to me to hear that I had osteoporosis," said Bob Baum.
Last June the 68-year-old Pembroke Pines man learned he has osteoporosis.
"I thought either my scoliosis was getting worse or my arthritis was getting worse," said Baum.
After the initial shock Baum said he had to decide which treatment would be best for him and with so many out there it would be a difficult choice.
"The treatment menu has exploded in the last decade," according to rheumatologist Dr. Mark Jaffe with Memorial Hospital West.
Dr. Jaffe said many of his patients find relief with the oral medicines like Fosomax, Boniva and Actonel which are taken once a month or every few weeks. This class of drug fortifies bone and is actually proven effective to lower the risk of fracture. The down side is that they can cause an upset stomach.
For certain patients like Baum, Dr. Jaffe suggests an injection taken once a year called Reclast.
"This is a similar drug delivered via vein, so you get a hook up with an IV, an infusion for 15 minutes delivered once a year. Reclast is also in that same class," said Dr. Jaffe.
Another new drug that came out in the last 6 months stops the loss of bone.
"Prolia is a drug that stops an enzyme important in the cells that eat up bone. It is given via subcutaneous injection twice a year," said Dr. Jaffe.
Then there's Forteo, a promising new treatment for men and women with severe osteoporosis. It uses a thyroid hormone and early results show it helps post-menopausal women actually build bone. Women show a five percent increase in bone density in the lumbar spine in just 90 days according to a recent study. The only downside of this type of drug is that it requires a daily injection for two years.
Avid golfer Peg Fischer said it's working for her.
"I feel stronger. I feel better. Now this might all be psychological but once they took the final DEX scan I thought well I have some improvement. Hope springs eternal," said Fischer.
Osteoporosis causes more than 1.5 million fractures every year, most involving the spine, hip or wrist. Although often considered a women's disease, osteoporosis also affects many men. About 8 million American women and 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and nearly 18 million more Americans may have low bone density. Even children are not immune.
Dr. Jaffe said to avoid osteoporosis in the first place start taking calcium and vitamin D supplements in your 20's, eat fruits and veggies with calcium and get aerobic exercise regularly to help build and maintain strong bones.
