Many of us who are terrified of the thought that we may end up with fractures in the future due to osteoporosis see to it that we regularly consume calcium-rich foods and exercise on a regular basis in order to considerably lower our risk of suffering from the said bone condition one day.
Are you aware that it’s not just a diet that’s lacking in calcium and having a sedentary lifestyle that can make osteoporosis strike, but also certain medications — some of which you may be taking right now?
Worried that your prescription or OTC medications may increase your risk of having osteoporosis sooner or later? Then keep on reading this article. Below you will come across certain drugs that are known to make you more vulnerable to developing osteoporosis.
Share this article on your various social media sites afterwards so that everyone you care about may also be able to know which drugs can put them at higher risk of suffering from osteoporosis when they’re older.
Before we take a look at the said osteoporosis-causing medications, let’s get one thing straight: if you come across the name of a drug that you are currently taking on the list below, don’t just turn your back on it. This is especially true if your doctor has prescribed it because of a medical condition that you’re diagnosed with.
What you need to do instead is approach the one who prescribed it to you and mention that you are afraid that it may put you at risk of having osteoporosis in the future. If there is a different medication that you may take in place of the one you’re taking currently, he or she will surely prescribe it.
So now let’s take a look at some of the drugs that are known to increase one’s risk of osteoporosis:
Artificial Glucocorticoids
Some of the most effective drugs for injuries and inflammations are synthetic glucocorticoids. While highly capable of impressing, experts say that these drugs may considerably increase a person’s osteoporosis risk.
Numerous studies have shown that long-term intake of high doses of oral artificial glucocorticoids may cause osteoporosis to strike in the future. However, experts say that the same cannot be said for artificial glucocorticoids that come in the form of eye drops, inhalers, skin creams and injections.
Hyperacidity Drugs
Individuals who are suffering from stomach ulcers, acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can benefit tremendously from the intake of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antacids because they help in reducing the production of stomach acids, thus fending off heartburn.
Sadly, it is said that a reduction in stomach acids can hamper proper absorption of calcium obtained via the diet, and everyone knows that calcium is important for strengthening the bones and warding off osteoporosis.
Diuretics
Medications that increase the production of urine are called diuretics, and they are commonly prescribed for people who are suffering from high blood pressure and at high risk of suffering from heart disease.
According to experts, increasing urine production can also cause calcium in the body to be flushed out, leaving the bones weak and the individual at high risk of having osteoporosis. Diuretics may also cause accidental falls within the first few days due to a sudden drop in blood pressure, increasing fracture risk.
Certain Cancer Drugs
There are medications for breast and prostate cancer that are known to cause an increase risk in osteoporosis. It’s for the fact that they can cause the prevention of the production of certain hormones to put the progression of cancer under control. Unfortunately, the resulting hormonal imbalance can make the patient prone to having osteoporosis.
Experts say that some drugs for breast cancer may increase risk of fractures of the wrist and spine. On the other hand, some drugs for prostate cancer may cause loss in bone mineral density in men 50 years old and above.
