Parathyroid hormone for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Imbalances in bone metabolism result in bone mass loss and skeletal fragility in postmenopausal women and older men. Most osteoporosis treatments decrease bone metabolism and prevent the progression of bone loss and architectural damage to the skeleton. Analogs of parathyroid hormone stimulate the formation of new bone and offer new options for managing osteoporosis. This review highlights the effects of parathyroid hormone on bone density and fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis and addresses several of the important issues pertaining to the use of these new agents in daily clinical practice.


BACKGROUND
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Family Physicians.


OBJECTIVE
After completion of this article, the reader should be able to summarize the different mechanisms of action between parathyroid hormone analogues and antiresorptive drugs, to outline the effects of teriparatide treatment of patients with osteoporosis, and list the indications of teriparatide therapy.
McClung
Michael
M
Oregon Osteoporosis Center, Department of Medical Education, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA. mmcclung@orost.com
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019379:Teriparatide / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D019379:Teriparatide