Medicines That Can Cause Osteoporosis
Topic Overview
Certain medicines are known to cause bone loss, which may
lead to
osteoporosis. These include:
- Corticosteroids, used to treat conditions such as
asthma and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If used
for a period of 6 months or longer, corticosteroids can lead to
steroid-induced osteoporosis.
- Thyroid replacement medicine, if
the dose is more than the body needs. This should be monitored by checking the
level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at least every year.
- Antiseizure medicines, such as phenytoin or carbamazepine.
- Medicines used to treat
endometriosis, such as leuprolide (Lupron Depot) and
nafarelin acetate (Synarel).
- Aromatase inhibitors, used
to treat
breast cancer.
- Hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer.
- Some
antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs). SSRIs are used to treat many
conditions, including
depression,
fibromyalgia, and
premenstrual syndrome.
- Heparin, a blood thinner, if used for a long
time.
- Depo-Provera, a birth control medicine given by injection, if
used for a long time
- Antacids that contain aluminum, if they are overused.
Aluminum-containing antacids remove calcium from your
body.
- Some diabetes medicines, such as rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos).
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Carla J. Herman, MD, MD, MPH - Geriatric Medicine |
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| Last Revised | July 29, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
July 29, 2011
