[Osteoporosis. 2]

Drug used to treatment osteoporosis can be grouped in two main categories: those that decrease bone resorption and those that increase bone formation. Long-term estrogen therapy as antiresorptive drugs are most effective when bone turnover is increased at time of menopause. Further antiresorptive drugs include oral calcium, calcitonin, bisphosphonates. Drugs that act by increasing bone formation produce an increase in bone mass, these agents are good candidates for the treatment of osteoporosis. Intermittent slow-release sodium fluoride administered for osteoporotic patients inhibits new vertebral fractures, increases the mean spinal bone mass and is safe to use. Calcium supplementation, and vitamin D supplementation have a beneficial effect in retardation of bone loss with very good tolerance. As to new preparations, the most promising ones seem to be drugs, which act on the level of cytokines and growth local factors in bone. In the conclusion authors present therapeutic possibility of postmenopausal women, the most risk group of osteoporotic patients.