When to Take Prescription Medications
The best medication to prevent a fracture is related to your personal risk for breaking a bone. That risk is affected by age, prior broken bone(s), family history, smoking and alcohol use, certain medications, your other health conditions, and your risk of falling, just to name a few. It’s also helpful to measure how strong your bones are, typically by means of a bone density test called a DXA (pronounced ‘dex-sah’).
Treatment includes both good nutrition, lifestyle modifications as needed, and for many patients, prescribed medications to help your bones stay strong and healthy. What treatment to use should ultimately be a decision between you and your doctor. The Osteoporosis Medication Treatment Chooser can assist in you and your provider making this decision.
Here are examples of treatment characteristics you should consider in choosing an osteoporosis medication.
