Forteo osteoporosis treatment is an anti resportive drug that is currently being used to treat mild to moderate cases of osteoporosis. There are many kinds of treatment options for the disease but this treatment is prescribed particularly to patients who have a bone mineral T-score density of -3.5 or less. Forteo is actually a synthetic derivate of a human hormone that is involved manufacturing the body's bone mass.
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Anti-resportive drugs generally fight osteoporosis by slowing down or completely stopping the
bone loss process. The drug is an anabolic steroid that regulates bone metabolism and the body's rate of calcium and phosphate absorption. Forteo acts by stimulating the osteoblasts or the bone cells into creating more bone mass around the trabecular and cortical surfaces of the bone.
Clinical studies have revealed that patients (both men and women) who took 20 mg of the drug daily, together with some Vitamin D and
Calcium supplements, exhibited a significant increase in bone mineral density. Studies also showed that those who were under a
Forteo osteoporosis treatment became less prone to spinal fractures by 65% and all other kinds of fractures caused by osteoporosis by 53%. Today, the drug is now approved for distribution and human consumption by the FDA.
Forteo is usually taken through subcutaneous injections. Separate cartridges containing 20 milligrams of the drug are injected into the body through a specially designed multi-dose pen, once per day. It is injected in the thigh area or around the subcutaneous tissue in the abdomen.
But just like many of the drug medications, Forteo has its own set of side effects as well. Clinical tests on rodents revealed that animals taking the drug showed an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma - a rare and deadly form of bone cancer.
However, human subjects who took part in the clinical tests never developed the disease. Rodents are apparently more sensitive and more prone to cancer causing agents than humans. But still, proper precautions are taken and people who are at risk of acquiring this kind of bone cancer are never advised to undergo Forteo osteoporosis treatment.
Apart from that, patients with past or present cases of skeletal malignancies and bone metastases are strongly advised not to take the drug. Doctors who prescribe the drug to their patients usually require them to undergo Calcium blood level tests to detect high blood Calcium levels before the onset of the treatment. Patients who have too much Calcium in their system are not allowed to take the drug as well. Pregnant women are also advised against the treatment because no studies have yet confirmed if the drug can be passed on to baby while in the womb or through breastfeeding.
Typical side effects associated with Forteo include:
- dizziness
- leg cramps
- mild nausea
Up to date, this is very little amount of information on the actual long term side effects of the drug. Another down side to using Forteo is the
cost of the treatment. Forteo osteoporosis treatment need to be taken daily and is very expensive for osteoporosis patients. Medication for 28 days can cost up to $700.
Either way, if you are interested in
taking the treatment, always consult a licensed medical expert first for any possible contraindications.
