New Therapy To Help Curb Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a debilitating bone condition which weakens the bones by gradually reducing its density and making it porous like a sponge. An estimated 200 million people are affected by this unforgiving disease. 1 in every 3 women over 50 years and 1 in 5 men will end up having to go toe to toe with this evil. As they grow older, the bone weakens, leading to fractures especially the bones in the spine, hip and the forearm. The immense pain corrodes the individual’s ability to function normally and eats away at their quality of life. The various osteoporosis treatments available have been listed below. Read ahead to know more.

What Are The Medications Given At Present?

  • Therapies such as anabolic therapies and drugs such as Forteo and Tymlos help in enhancing the formation of bone cells.
  • The second medication slows down or blocks the breakdown of bone such as anti-resorptive therapies.
  • A new drug has been made to further help curb osteoporosis called Romosozumab (Evenity), which is a sclerostin inhibitor.

What is Sclerostin?

It is a protein that helps regulate bone metabolism and inhibits bone formation. The drug Evenity binds with the protein and prevents it from blocking the signalling pathway for new bone formation. Furthermore, it is FDA approved, and is adopted for use in high and multiple risk fracture patients.

How Is It Administered?

The drug is administered by means of an injection once a month using two separate prefilled syringes for a complete dosage. The drug however should be only used for a maximum of one year, because the drugs ability to subdue the protein diminishes after a period of a year.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The most commonly seen side effects include headaches. In some severe cases, certain patients have experienced loss of bone density in the jaw, called osteonecrosis and thigh bone fractures. Further, patients who have had previous instances of strokes and heart attacks are expected to be under heightened supervision of their doctor before administering the drug.

The Final Verdict

There is a definite plus in the dual effect of bone formation and reduced bone resorption in using this drug, hence making it a credible adversary in combating osteoporosis. There is research that is yet to be determined to ascertain the long term effects and risks involved with using the drug.