Osteoporosis
Overview
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is characterized by low bone mass and impaired bone structure, resulting in weak, brittle bones that are at increased risk for fracture (a break in bone). Osteoporosis-related fractures may happen during a sudden fall or can occur during routine activities, such as lifting a heavy object or walking.
Osteoporosis occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. Under a microscope, healthy bone resembles a honeycomb with small spaces throughout the inside of the bone. In osteoporosis, the spaces are much larger than spaces seen in healthy bone. The larger spaces are associated with a loss in bone density and strength.*
How common is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease diagnosed in humans. About 10 million Americans have osteoporosis. It is estimated that one in two women and one in five men will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture at some point in their life. This risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age and it is more common in postmenopausal women. Certain medications, nutritional disorders, and other medical conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and some cancers), smoking, inactive lifestyle, and heavy alcohol consumption also may increase osteoporosis risk.*
Questions regarding your osteoporosis therapy?
You can reach your Accredo osteoporosis team, anytime, day or night, seven days a week.
24-hour Customer Service Center
*
Cosman, Felicia, et al. "Clinician’s guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis." Osteoporosis international 25.10 (2014): 2359-2381.
US Department of Health and Human Services. "Bone health and osteoporosis: a report of the Surgeon General." Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General 87 (2004).
Osteoporosis, N. I. H. "Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. Osteoporosis overview." (2014).
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is commonly called a silent disease because most people do not show signs or symptoms of bone loss. When osteoporosis affects the spine, people may experience a slowly progressive height loss due to a stooped or hunched posture. However, the majority of people with osteoporosis do not experience symptoms until they have a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures are more common in the hip, spine, and wrist but other bones are also at risk for fracture. Fractures may lead to long-term complications such as chronic pain, immobility, and depression.1
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
After reviewing your medical history and evaluating your risk for osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend a bone mineral density (BMD) test. BMD tests are simple, painless scans that use low dose X-rays to measure bone mass. Using the results of a BMD test, doctors are able to identify osteoporosis and determine your risk for fracture. BMD tests may also be used to monitor your response to osteoporosis treatment.2
1
Cosman, Felicia, et al. "Clinician’s guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis." Osteoporosis international 25.10 (2014): 2359-2381.
US Department of Health and Human Services. "Bone health and osteoporosis: a report of the Surgeon General." Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General 87 (2004).
Osteoporosis, N. I. H. "Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. Osteoporosis overview." (2014).
2
Cosman, Felicia, et al. "Clinician’s guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis." Osteoporosis international 25.10 (2014): 2359-2381.
Osteoporosis, N. I. H. "Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. Osteoporosis overview." (2014).
Medications
The following specialty medications are available at Accredo, a specialty pharmacy, for osteoporosis.
| Self-administered therapies for osteoporosis | Manufacturer/Program Name |
|---|---|
| Forteo® (teriparatide) injection | Lilly USA |
| Tymlos™ (abaloparatide) injection | Radius Health, Inc. |
| Healthcare Provider-administered therapies for osteoporosis | Manufacturer/Program Name |
|---|---|
| Prolia® (denosumab) injection | Amgen |
| Boniva® (ibandronate sodium) injection – generics available | Various – generics available |
| Reclast® (zoledronic acid) injection | Various – generics available |
Financing Your Care
Financial assistance coordination may be available to help with your medication costs, including manufacturer and community programs. Accredo representatives are available to help find a program that may work for you.
Drug Specific Support
Eli Lilly and Company/ FORTEO Connect™ | 866-436-7836
Amgen/ Prolia® Patient Support Program | 877-776-5421
Radius Health, Inc./ Together with Tymlos | 866-896-5674
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp/ Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc. | 800-277-2254
Financial Guidance
Life-saving specialty medication can be expensive. Learn how the Accredo teams help individuals find ways to afford the medication they need to survive in this video.
Find Support
Osteoporosis Organizations
There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for osteoporosis. See below for a few of those organizations.
Support Organizations
National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF)American Bone Health
Government Organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Osteoporosis and Related Bone DiseasesMeet the Team
Accredo’s Endocrine Therapeutic Resource Center® is dedicated to your osteoporosis care and we understand the complexity of your condition. Our specialty-trained clinicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions.
Why We Do It
Accredo supports patients with chronic and complex conditions and helps them live their best life. Watch our video to learn why we do what we do for our patients.