Conditions and symptoms
What Is Osteoporosis? Why Medicine Labels Mention It
Osteoporosis · say it: OSS-tee-oh-puh-ROH-sisAlso written: thinning bones, low bone density, brittle bones
Short answer
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become thinner and weaker, so they break more easily, often after a minor fall or bump.
What it means
Osteoporosis means 'porous bone'. Bone is living tissue that is constantly broken down and rebuilt. In osteoporosis, more is lost than replaced, so bones become thin and fragile. It usually causes no symptoms until a bone breaks, often in the hip, spine or wrist. It is usually found with a bone density (DEXA) scan.
It shows up on medicine labels in two ways. Bisphosphonates and similar medicines list it as what they treat. Other medicines, such as long-term corticosteroids, some acid-reducing medicines and some hormone treatments, mention it as a possible risk with long-term use, which is why bone health may be checked.
Osteoporosis is different from osteoarthritis, which is wear of the joints, not thinning of the bones. Osteopenia means bone density is lower than average but not low enough to be called osteoporosis.
Where you may see it
- 'Indications' sections of bisphosphonate and other bone medicine labels
- Long-term steroid and proton pump inhibitor leaflets
- Bone density (DEXA) scan reports
📄 How it looks on a report
Long-term use may be associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not the same as osteoarthritis.
- A label warning does not mean the medicine will give you osteoporosis.
- It is not only a condition of older women; men and younger people can have it too.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Osteoporosis”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Alendronate
a bisphosphonate, a medicine that slows the breakdown of bone by blocking cells called osteoclasts
- Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
- Estradiol
An estrogen hormone medicine
- Prednisolone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine. The label describes glucocorticoids as adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, that are readily absorbed from the stomach and intestines.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Osteoporosis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “osteoporosis”
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