Osteoporosis induced by steroids can be better treated with Teriparatide, a synthetic form of the human parathyroid hormone, than Alendronate.

The involved researchers remarked that patients with osteoporosis patients when treated with teriparatide for a period of 36 months had a greater increase in bone mineral density (BMD) and fewer new vertebral fractures than those treated with alendronate.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Results show at 36 months the BMD for lumbar spine was 11% higher than baseline in the teriparatide group compared with 5.3% in the alendronate group. The BMD (teriparatide versus alendronate) for total hip was 5.2% versus 2.7% and 6.3% versus 3.4% for femoral neck. Researchers also observed fewer vertebral fractures in subjects taking teriparatide (1.7%) than those administered alendronate (7.7%). Higher levels of calcium concentrations were noted in the teriparatide group (21%) than in the alendronate group (7%).

“There is a significant number of individuals who are regularly treated with steroids to control inflammation which puts them at risk for developing osteoporosis. A need for therapies that mitigate this side-effect of steroid use and substantially improves bone mass is vital,” commented Dr. Saag. The ACR estimates that diseases commonly treated with (cortico) steroids may affect more than 30 million Americans. “Our research shows that teriparatide is a safe and effective treatment for patients with steroid-induced OA and should be considered as a therapeutic option for those at high risk of bone fracture,” recommended Dr. Saag.

The findings of this study were published in an issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).