New hope of osteoporosis

We know why we develop osteoporosis (at least we know the risk factors). We can delay the onset of osteoporosis. However, until now we could not reverse the bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Apparently a new drug can reverse the bone loss. Osteoporosis bone loss reversed

Current drugs for brittle bone disease work by slowing the rate of bone loss, thus reducing the risk of fractures.

But teriparatide actually stimulates production of bone-forming cells called osteoblasts – and makes them more active.

The drug, manufactured by Lilly, is recommended for use in post-menopausal women with severe osteoporosis.

It is the first of a new class of drugs called bone formation agents to be approved in the EU.

Tests have shown it reduces the risk of new spinal fractures (one or more) by 65% and multiple spinal fractures (two or more) by 77%.

Patients can take the drug – known commercially as Forsteo, at home using a self-injection.

Not knowing the drugs name (I work primarily as an academic hospitalist now and am not up to snuff on the latest outpatient advances), I did a quick google. FDA APPROVES TERIPARATIDE TO TREAT OSTEOPOROSIS – dated a year ago.

Teriparatide is the first approved agent for the treatment of osteoporosis that stimulates new bone formation. Teriparatide is administered by injection once a day in the thigh or abdomen. The recommended dose is 20 mcg per day.

Teriparatide is a portion of human parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is the primary regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism in bones. Daily injections of teriparatide stimulate new bone formation leading to increased bone mineral density.

Drugs approved to treat osteoporosis must be shown to preserve or increase bone density and maintain bone quality. The effects of teriparatide on bone mineral density and fractures were studied in 1,637 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who were treated for a median time of 19-months and 437 men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis who were treated for ten months. Patients treated with 20 mcg of teriparatide per day, along with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, had statistically significant increases in bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and hip when compared to patients taking only calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Clinical trials also demonstrated that teriparatide reduced the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. The effects of teriparatide on fracture risk have not been studied in men.

Well that is my lesson for the day. Many of you already knew this, but perhaps I have reinforced some knowledge. And some of you need this knowledge injection just like me!