Table 3:

Approved pharmacologic agents for treatment of osteoporosis

Drug (Brand names)Dose†Proven Fracture Reduction*Indication
Alendronate (Fosamax)10 mg daily, 70 mg weeklyVertebral, hip, nonvertebralPostmenopausal women, men; glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Risedronate (Actonel)5 mg daily, 35 mg weekly, 75 mg 2 days/monthVertebral, hip, nonvertebralPostmenopausal women, men; glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Ibandronate (Boniva)2.5 mg daily, 150 mg monthly, 3 mg IV every 3 monthsVertebral, nonvertebralPostmenopausal women
Zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa)5 mg IV yearlyVertebral, hip, nonvertebralPostmenopausal women
Raloxifene (Evista)60 mg dailyVertebralPostmenopausal women
Salmon calcitonin (Miacalcin, Fortical)200 U intranasally dailyVertebralPostmenopausal women
Teriparatide (Forteo)20 mcg subcutaneously daily for ≤2 yearsVertebral, nonvertebralPostmenopausal women

  • Note:—IV indicates intravenous.

  • * In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

  • † Oral unless otherwise noted.