Choosing the Most-effective Osteoporosis Med - Actonel vs Boniva vs Fosamax - By: tanya crane

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that leads to an increased risk of fractures and breaks, the condition is characterized by a decrease in bone density. Bones that comprise the human skeleton are composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, a loss of any one or all of these components can lead to osteoporosis. Bone density will accumulate as an infant through to childhood and peak around the age of 25. At the age of 35 both men and women will have a loss in bone density as a part of the normal aging process. When people begin to lose more bone density than can be regenerated the bones become weak and fragile, making simple daily tasks very painful or even impossible.

Women, especially post menopausal women, are more susceptible to osteoporosis. Estrogen is important in maintaining bone density in females, so when estrogen levels drop in a woman’s body bone density loss is accelerated.

There are lifestyle changes that can be incorporated for people who suffer from osteoporosis, such as, exercising regularly, eliminating certain foods and drinks, quitting smoking, and avoiding caffeine. Osteoporosis medications can also help by slowing down the rate at which bone density is lost. Most osteoporosis medications are taken either once-a-week or once-a-month and fall into the category of medications known as Bisphosphonates. These types of medications alter the cycle of bone formation in that they slow bone loss while increasing bone mass. The most commonly prescribed medications are Actonel (which comes in both once-a-week and once-a-month tablets), Fosamax (once-a-week), and Boniva (once-a-month). All are effective osteoporosis medications, and making the decision of which medication will work best for you should be decided after an evaluation by your doctor.

If you are considering treatment of one these medications be sure to inform you doctor if you have low blood calcium also known as hypocalcemia, a vitamin D deficiency, kidney disease or an ulcer in your stomach or oesophagus.

Fosamax was the first of these medications to be approved, followed by Actonel a couple of years later. Actonel medication is taken as a once weekly 35mg tablet and Fosamax is also a once weekly 70mg tablet, while Boniva is a once-a-month 150mg tablet. All three medications have been proven to be equally effective, and have shown significant increase in bone density. The difference in the medications is the areas of the body that the medication targets. Actonel is approved to reduce fractures at vertevral and non-vertebral sites (hip, wrist, pelvis, legs and humerous), Fosamax targets the vertebral and hip, and Boniva is approved for the spine only.

All three medications are beneficial and effective at increasing bone density and reducing the risk of breaks or fractures, you and your physician need to evaluate your individual condition in order to decipher which of the three medications will be the best choice for you.

About the Author

I am a Canadian writer. I have been working in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry for several years and believe that Canadian online pharmacies are viable options for US citizens. Check out Canadian pharmacies for more information

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