Medications that can cause osteoporosis

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Certain medicines are known to cause bone loss, which may lead to osteoporosis. These include:

Oral or high-dose inhaled corticosteroids—such as prednisone and beclomethasone (QVAR)—used for more than 6 months to treat conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and lupus.
Thyroid replacement medicine, if the dose is more than the body needs. This should be monitored by checking the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) every year.
Medicines used to treat seizures, such as phenytoin.
Medicines used to treat endometriosis, such as leuprolide (Lupron Depot) and nafarelin acetate (Synarel).
Certain cancer treatments, including aromatase inhibitors used to treat breast cancer, such as anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasin).
Hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer.
Some antidepressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Heparin, a blood thinner, if used for a long time.
Depo-Provera, a birth control medicine given by injection, if used for a long time.
Anticonvulsant medicines such as carbamazepine.

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Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	November 21, 2008

Last updated:	November 21, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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