Medical management of osteoporosis. Fracture prevention.

The current medical treatment for the prevention of fractures in patients with osteoporotic bone, in particular, in patients with fractures involving the hip is discussed. Four drugs, calcium, calcitonin, estrogen, and alendronate have been approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of osteoporosis. Each of these drugs has a different mode of action to prevent bone loss and each carries its own side effects which must be weighed against the benefits. The future of medical management of osteoporosis involves designing new drugs that will reduce bone loss, potentially restore bone mass, and show proven efficacy in preventing fractures.