Medicines, Osteoporosis, and Fractures

Topic Overview

Many medicines seem to be related to bone fractures or to bone thinning (osteoporosis) that can lead to fractures. These medicines include:

• Corticosteroid medicines. These are used to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you use them for 6 months or longer, they 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. Examples are carbamazepine and phenytoin.
• Medicines used to treat endometriosis. They include leuprolide (Lupron) and nafarelin (Synarel).
• Aromatase inhibitors. These are 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, if used for a long time. Heparin is a blood thinner.
• Depo-Provera, if used for a long time. It's a birth control medicine given in a shot.
• Antacids that contain aluminum, if they are overused. These kinds of antacids remove calcium from your body.
• Some diabetes medicines. Examples are pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia).