A concise, evidence-based medical tool that saves you money

Question:

If I have osteoporosis and have had a previous bone fracture from osteoporosis, does taking a medication like Fosamax (alendronate) or Actonel (risedronate) really help reduce bone fracture in the future more than a placebo pill?

Answer:

Yes
MedHead Confidence Score: 2
Amount Saved: $27,000 average cost of hip fracture treatment post
Med-O-Meter

2

MedHead Message:

The benefits of taking these medications are that they reduce the risk of getting another bone fracture in the future. A hip fracture isn’t fun; neither is a vertebral compression fracture. They both cost a lot to fix, and your risk of dying goes way up after having one of these surgeries over the next year. Make sure and get extra calcium from your diet like fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamin D from the sun by spending 20-30 minutes daily in direct sunlight.

References:

1. Wells GA, Cranney A, Peterson J, Boucher M, Shea B, Welch V, Coyle D, Tugwell P. Alendronate for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001155. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001155.pub2. 2. Wells GA, Cranney A, Peterson J, Boucher M, Shea B, Welch V, Coyle D, Tugwell P. Risedronate for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004523. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004523.pub3. 3. https://health.costhelper.com/hip-fracture.html

 

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