Osteoporosis Drugs May Weaken Bones in Postmenopausal Women

widely used osteoporosis drugs maybe doing more harm than good as they have been shown to weaken bones.

This is the finding of a study conducted by researchers from Columbia University Medical Center featuring 111 post-menopausal women.

These drugs are comprised of bisphosphonates which in the short term do indeed preserve bone, but over a prolonged period of use may actually weaken bones.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, and bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed to women diagnosed with the condition.

Researchers indicate that after 4 years of use, patients may actually begin to experience the negative side effects of the drugs, and should consult their doctor about alternative forms of treatment.

“Although bisphosphonates have demonstrated an improvement in bone quantity, little if anything is known about the effects of these drugs on bone quality,” said researcher Brian Gladnick, from the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).

The study was presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ annual meeting in New Orleans.

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