The role of calcium in osteoporosis drug therapy

Unfortunately, this view has led many to ignore the importance of concurrent calcium supplementation to ensure any benefit from these drugs, as evidenced by the recent decline in use of calcium supplements.

As the majority of patients fail to consume the minimum recommended dietary intake of calcium, it is critical to recommend calcium supplements to raise total daily calcium intake to the levels needed to ensure efficacy of osteoporosis drug treatments.

Furthermore, osteoporosis drug labeling should be strengthened to encourage proper use of these drugs in combination with calcium supplements.

Source

Sunyecz JA, Weisman SM. Laurel Highlands OB, GYN, Hopwood, Pennsylvania. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2005 Mar;14(2):180-92.

Key concepts: calcium, osteoporosis, drug