Protecting Yourself from Osteoporosis

Causing Medications

There are popular classes of medications

that may cause or increase your risk of

osteoporosis, physicians warn, citing

well-known pharmaceutical sources.

These medications are generally

beneficial for the conditions that they

are being prescribed for but their side-

effects are something that an elderly

patient needs to take note of, especially

with the growing number of

legal cases involving Merck and

other bisphosphonate drug

manufacturers.

Anticonvulsant medication like benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium

etc.) , normally prescribed for epilepsy, may drastically increase

the risk of osteoporosis in patients. In Spain, low calcium intake

was one of the top two risk factors for osteoporosis along with

benzodiazepine use. This is attributed to the increase of the

hormone prolactin. Prolactin is normally regulated by dopamine

which benzodiazepines suppress.

Higher levels of prolactin would inhibit the release of other

hormones, including follicle stimulating hormones and luteinizing

hormones, which are responsible for regulating and releasing the

hormones, testosterone and estrogen, which are in turn essential

to promoting bone health.

.

Another study found that other mood altering medications

such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s),

such as Zoloft and Prozac, have also been shown to cause

bone loss. The study linked this class of medications with

the highest adjusted odds of osteoporotic fractures –

indicating an increased risk by as much as 45 percent.

These findings do not count similar effects from long-term

corticosteroid use which has also been known to cause

increased bone turnover and accounts as a leading cause

for bisphosphonate prescriptions.

Experts recommend, citing numerous

research studies, that people can actively

manage their bone health even when

taking these medications, often resulting

in “stopping or even reversing” these

complications.

These treatments involve modifying a

patient’s diet, physical exercise, and

lifestyle habits to promote healthier

outcomes for managing bone loss

problems. Bisphosphonate therapy is not

as popularly recommended by physicians

as they once were due to several studies

showing links to adverse reactions from

prolonged use.

For more information on osteoporosis

and bisphosphonates, you may read

more updates on blogs and sites online.

If you wish to know more about filing a

Fosamax class action lawsuit, then

there are other sources online which can

help you in seeking the legal advice you

need.

URL Reference:

algaecal.com/Blog/prescription-drugs-

that-cause-osteoporosis/11395