IC 14: Drugs for Osteoporosis Flashcards
What are some lifestyle and diet modications that can be done for osteoporosis?
- Exercise
- Calcium supplements
- Vitamin D supplements
What are some antiresorptive agents that can be used?
- Bisphosphonates
- RANK ligand inhibitors (e.g. Denosumab)
- Oestrogen agonists or antagonists
- Calcitonins
What is the MOA of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis?
Slow bone loss by increasing osteoclast (breakdown bone) cell death
What are some drugs that are bisphosphonates?
- Risedronate
- Alendronate
- Zoledronic acid
What are some things to note when administering bisphosphonates?
Take oral bisphosphonate on empty stomach with at least 240ml of plain water and wait before taking food (at least 30 mins for risedronate and alendronate)
What are the adverse effect associated with taking bisphosphonates?
- Atypical femoral fractures
- Severe bone, joint or muscle pain
- Upper GI mucosa irritation
- Ocular effects
- Hypocalcaemia
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw and external auditory canal
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Heartburn-like symptoms
- IV: flu-like symptoms
What are the contraindications and precautions of bisphosphonates use?
Contraindication
* Hypocalcaemia
* Abnormalities of the oesophagus which may delay emptying
* Severe renal impairment (CrCl < 30)
* Pregnancy and lactation
Precautions
* Active upper GI disease
* Risk factors for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw or external auditory canal
What is the MOA of denosumab?
Prevent development of osteoclasts
What is the dosage form of denosumab?
Subq Injection every 6 months as it is a human monoclonal antibody
What is denosumab administered with?
- 1000mg calcium daily
- > = 400 IU vitamin D daily
What are the adverse effects of denosumab?
- Muscle, back, bone or joint pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Slight tiredness
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Rarely: osteonecrosis of the jaw, atypical femur fractures
What are the contraindications of denosumab?
- Hypocalcaemia
- Pregnancy
What is MOA of oestrogen?
- Maintain bone density
In what patients is estrogen typically used in?
- Bone health in younger women
- Women whose other menopausal symptoms also require treatment
- Can increase risk of breast cancer and blood clots, which can cause strokes
What is the properties of raloxifene?
- Selective oestrogen receptor modulator
- Mixed ostrogen receptor agonism and antagonism
- Reduces rather than increase risk of some types of breast cancer
- Still increases risk of blood clots and can cause hot flashes