[Advances in the pharmacotherapy of osteoporosis]

In the pharmacotherapy of osteoporosis administration of calcium, small amounts of vitamin D and fluorides still is the basic treatment. Thyrocalcitonin can be also administered, recently also in the form of a nasal spray. It does not only prevent reabsorption of bone but has also an analgetic effect. In the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis we use conjugated oestrogens in cyclic preparations with gestagens. Biphosphonates prevent bone resorption but also apposition of the mineral. As to new preparations, Ipriflavone and TGF-beta seem most promising, moreover, there is the perspective of the use of other preparations: small doses of PTH, tamoxifen and raloxifen, promethazine and vitamin K. The author emphasizes the comprehensive character of therapy and the urgent necessity to initiate it early.