Therapy is determined by several factors, including a person s overall health status, whether fractures already have occurred, medications the patient may be taking, personal choice and the results of DEXA testing. Generally, physicians recommend treatment for all persons whose bone density is low enough that he or she is at significant risk of fracture. Treatment is not solely based on prescription medications. Also, if there is another disease contributing to diminished bone density, that other disease needs to be addressed. Women with a history of blood clots or at greater risk of uterus or breast cancer are generally not candidates for this type of therapy.
Leg cramps are a potential side-effect of raloxifene.
Another important class of medications prescribed for osteoporosis is the bisphosphonates. Etidronate, although prescribed for osteoporosis, has not been officially approved by the FDA for treatment of osteoporosis. The bisphosphonates are prescribed for both men and women with osteoporosis, and in the case of women, may be combined with estrogen replacement therapy. This class of medications is generally well tolerated, although on occasion, patients taking them will get heartburn or bone pain. Rare cases of serious ulceration of the esophagus have been reported with bisphosphonates.