Osteoporosis Drugs and Risk Factors


Osteoporosis risk factors

Drugs used in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

Drug                            Dosage                            cost ($)

Alendronate sodium              10 mg/d                           1.67 per 10-mg tablet
  (Fosamax)

Calcitonin-salmon, injection    100 IU/d SC or IM                 27.48-42.45 per 2-mL vial
  (Calcimar, Miacalcin)                                               (200 IU/mL)

Calcitonin-salmon, nasal spray  200 IU/d intranasally             25.03 per 2-mL bottle
  (Miacalcin)                   (alternating nostrils daily)          (2,200 IU/mL)

Conjugated estrogens            0.625 mg/d cyclically, 3 wk on    0.39 per 0.625-mg tablet
  (Premarin)                        followed by 1 wk off

  Conjugated estrogens          0.625 mg/d conjugated estrogens,  16.39 per 28-d cycle
  and medroxyprogesterone           d 1-14; 0.625 mg conjugated
  Premphase)                        estrogens/5 mg medroxyprogesterone,
                                    d 15-28

  Conjugated estrogens          0.625 mg conjugated estrogens     17.88 per 28d cycle
  and medroxyprogesterone       /2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone daily
  acetate (Prempro)

  Estradiol, micronized         0.5 mg/d cyclically, 23 d on      0.26 per 0.5mg tab
  (Estrace)                      followed by 5 d off

  Estraiol transdermal system   0.05 mg/24 h (Estraderm and Vivelle    2.23 per Estraderm patch
           Estraderm, Vivelle)  are applied twice a week; Climara,     2.45 per Vivelle patch
                                once every 7 d)                        4.94 per Climara patch

  Estropipate (Ogen)            0.625 mg/d for 25 days of cycle   0.33-0.53 per 0.625mg tablet

Etidronate disodium (Didronel)* 400 mg/d for 2 wk Q 3 mo. Daily   3.63 per 400mg tablet
                                calcium supplementation is given
                                for remainder of cycle.



Note: Cost shown is average wholesale price, based on information in PDR Generics 1996 and Red Book Update, May 1996. Both are publications of Medical Economics, Montvale, N.J.


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