Forteo works better than Fosamax to strengthen bones in arthritis patients with corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. According to study results from the University of Alabama at Birmingham that are published in the November 15th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Forteo more than doubled the bone density measurements of osteoporosis patients and significantly reduced the risk of new spinal fractures compared to Fosamax.
The study, which looked at bone density over the course of 18 months in 428 adults with steroid-induced osteoporosis, revealed that Forteo increased bone density at the lumbar spine by 7.2 percent compared to 3.4 percent for Fosamax. At the hip, bone density increased 3.8 percent for Forteo compared to 2.4 percent for Fosamax. Forteo -- generic drug name teriparatide -- was given to study participants as a once-daily injection while Fosamax -- generic drug name alendronate -- was given as a once-daily pill.
- Are You at Risk for Weak Bones?
- Corticosteroid-Induced Osteoporosis: What You Need to Know
- What Should People With Arthritis Be Doing to Prevent Osteoporosis?
According to the American College of Rheumatology, over 30 million Americans are affected by conditions commonly treated with corticosteroids such as prednisone. Treating arthritis is important but warding off the side effects of corticosteroids like bone loss, fracture, and osteoporosis is equally important. Fosamax is a bisphoshonate while Forteo belongs to a different class of drugs known as parathyroid hormones. Researchers suggest that parathyroid hormone triggers the growth of osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). Forteo is currently only FDA-approved for use in post-menopausal women and in rare cases, it is used to treat men with hormonal-linked osteoporosis. Lilly, the maker of Forteo, is seeking approval for steroid-induced osteoporosis.
More Related Resources:
- Osteoporosis Risk Factors
- The Lupus–Osteoporosis Link
- The Rheumatoid Arthritis–Osteoporosis Link
- Rheumatic Disease Increases Risk of Osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis v. Osteoarthritis: Similar Names, Different Conditions
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