Pharmacologic therapy for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis

Clinicians have an expanding menu of attractive pharmacologic options for t he prevention and treatment of postmenopausal and age-related osteoporosis. Moreover, there exists excellent data from well-designed clinical trials d ocumenting the effectiveness and tolerability of these therapies. Bone loss can be prevented in postmenopausal women of any age. Fracture risk can be reduced substantially in men and women with previous vertebral fractures or bone density values consistent with osteoporosis. It is clear that therapy is warranted in patients at high fracture risk. Important clinical challen ges include devising effective strategies to identify those patients for wh om treatment is indicated and to enhance both the accepting and long-term a dherence to therapy by patients.