Several categories of prescription medications, when taken long-term, can cause reduced bone density and strength. This will ultimately result in a clinical disease called "osteoporosis." Osteoporosis is a leading cause of hip and back fractures, particularly in elderly women. It is therefore important for a patient to understand which chronic drugs may put her at increased risk for developing osteoporosis.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
NSAIDs are very commonly prescribed for long-term patients, such as those suffering from arthritis or chronic back pain. Typical NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin. If taken long-term, however, they have shown to cause decreased bone density. According to Dr. Stuart B. Goodman in the "Journal of Orthopedic Surgery," "Effects of Medications on Bone, he also cites the "inhibition of fracture healing" that is found with NSAID consumers.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and cortisone, are prescribed for a variety of clinical conditions. Some of these include asthma, severe allergies, hepatitis and lupus. Prolonged use of corticosteroids has been proven to cause lowered bone density, increased fragility of bones and thus increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.
Contraceptives
It has long been known that oral contraceptives--the "pill"--cause reduced bone density and ultimately osteoporosis. Depo-provera, an injectable contraceptive that a woman receives every three months, is also known to cause osteoporosis. The good news is that a calcium-fortified diet can prevent the reduction in bone density, and thus offset the risk of osteoporosis.
Blood-Thinning Medications
Two drugs represent this category: warfarin, and it's brand name Coumadin, and heparin.These medications are prescribed to thin the blood and prevent blood clots. "The American Journal of OB-GYN" published a study in 1994 that showed that pregnant women treated with long-term heparin had a 5 percent reduction in hip bone density, compared with pregnant women not on heparin.
Anti-seizure Medications
Drugs that prevent or control seizures are called anti-epileptics. A landmark study in the June 2004 issue of "Journal of Neurology" showed that women on long-term anti-epileptics had a twofold increased likelihood of developing osteoporosis. This has been corroborated by subsequent studies.
Lithium
Lithium is commonly prescribed by psychiatrists to treat patients diagnosed with manic depressive or bipolar disorder. One of the long-term effects of lithium is that it increases the body's production of parathyroid hormone, which causes bone breakdown. Thus, long-term patients on lithium are also known to have higher rates of osteoporosis.
References
- "Am Jrl OB-Gyn"; Study of heparin-induced osteoporosis; LA Barbour; May 1994
- "Jrl of Ortho Surgery"; Effects of Medications on Bone; SB Goodman; Aug. 2007
