Are Women Being Overtreated for Bone Loss?

• Don’t smoke. Chemicals in cigarettes are toxic to bone cells.
•  Eat your greens—and yellows and reds. Natural pigments called carotenoids in fruits and vegetables protect against bone loss.

Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation

Side Effects of Osteoporosis Drugs

Bisphophonates, the most commonly used, include alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel) and zoledronic acid (Reclast).
Side effects:

• Mild gastrointestinal problems (heartburn, acid reflux, irritation of the esophagus, nausea and vomiting) and more serious (ulcers and bleeding)
• Severe muscle, joint or bone pain
• Esophageal cancer
• Breakdown of the jawbone
• Atypical bone fractures
• Increased rates of a serious heart rhythm abnormality
  
  

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), raloxifene (Evista)
Side effects:

• Hot flashes
• Leg cramps
• Blood clots

Hormones, estrogen or estrogen plus progestin (Premarin, Prempro, Premphase)
Side effects:

• Stroke
• Blood clots
• Breast cancer
  

Calcitonin (Miacalcin, Fortical)
Side effect:

• Nasal irritation when taken by nasal spray

Sources: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health

Nissa Simon writes about health issues and lives in New Haven, Conn.