Drugs Used for Treatment of Osteoporosis and Rickets/Osteomalacia

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the treatment of osteoporosis and rickets/osteomalacia, including drug mechanisms, indications, side effects, and definitions.

What characterizes osteoporosis?

A disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility and increased fracture risk.

What are bisphosphonates primarily used for?

They are agents that prevent the breakdown of bone.

What is the prototype drug for aminobisphosphonates?

Alendronate.

How do bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast activity?

They disrupt the mevalonate pathway inside osteoclasts, leading to apoptosis.

What are the indications for bisphosphonates?

Osteoporosis, Paget's disease of the bone, hypercalcemia, and bone metastasis causing osteolysis.

What are common side effects of bisphosphonates?

Gastrointestinal issues like nausea and dyspepsia, and serious effects like esophagitis, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and atypical femoral fractures.

What is the mechanism of action of parathyroid hormone?

It regulates calcium and phosphate in bone and kidneys, increasing serum calcium and osteoclast activity.

What is teriparatide?

A recombinant form of naturally occurring parathyroid hormone used in severe osteoporosis.

How does vitamin D replacement affect serum calcium levels?

It increases serum calcium concentrations through enhancing intestinal absorption and bone resorption.

What are the common names for vitamin D2 and D3?

Vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3 is cholecalciferol.

What are the side effects of long-term vitamin D supplementation?

Hypercalcemia symptoms including gastrointestinal pain, renal stones, and psychiatric disturbances.

What is the main preparation of calcitonin used clinically?

Salcatonin (synthetic salmon calcitonin).

What are the adverse effects related to estrogen therapy for osteoporosis?

Migraine headaches, water retention, vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, gall bladder disease, thromboembolism, and increased triglycerides.

What is raloxifene used for?

It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to reduce vertebral fractures in women at risk of breast cancer.

What condition results from vitamin D deficiency in children?

Rickets.

What do conditions of osteomalacia result from in adults?

Impaired mineralization of bone matrix proteins due to hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia.