Medication	Dosage		Comments
Alendronate (Fosamax)*	10 mg orally per day (5 mg orally per day for prevention) or 70 mg orally per week (35 mgorally per week for prevention)		Reduces the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fracture; may cause esophageal irritation; once per week dosing may improve compliance; should be taken on an empty stomach and with 8 oz of water
Calcitonin (Miacalcin) †	200 IU per day (nasal spray)		Reduces the risk of vertebral fracture; may cause nausea or irritate the nasal mucosa
Ibandronate (Boniva)*	2.5 mg orally per day or 150 mg orally per month		Reduces the risk of vertebral fracture; may cause esophageal irritation; once a month dosing may improve compliance; should be taken on an empty stomach and with 8 oz of water
Raloxifene (Evista)*	60 mg orally per day		Reduces the risk of vertebral fracture; increases risk of thromboembolic complications; should be avoided before hip fracture surgery
Risedronate (Actonel)*	5 mg orally per day or 35 mg orally per week		Reduces the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fracture; may cause esophageal irritation; once per week dosing may improve compliance; should be taken on an empty stomach and with 8 oz of water
Teriparatide (Forteo)†	20 mcg subcutaneously per day		Reduces the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fracture; may cause nausea or headache; should be avoided in patients with high risk of osteosarcoma, Paget’s disease, prior radiation therapy of the skeleton, bone metastasis, hypercalcemia, or history of skeletal malignancy