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If the patient thinks she has osteoporosis (see Risk Survey), she should contact her doctor or healthcare provider. This professional may recommend increasing the patient's calcium and vitamin D intake, starting an exercise regimen, or reducing the patient's alcohol or cigarette use. Medications are also available to treat osteoporosis, including pills or a nasal spray.
Current treatment options range from no intervention to approved therapy—estrogens, MIACALCIN®(calcitonin-salmon) Nasal Spray,* Fosamax® (alendronate sodium),† Evista® (raloxifene hydrochloride)‡ and Actonel® (risedronate sodium)§—along with calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Treatment will vary considerably with each person and physician. It's important that the patient understands all her options as well as the potential benefits and side effects of each course of treatment.
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