| Indication | Medication | Typical dosage | Route | Fracture type | Monthly cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prevention | Estrogen†, with or without progesterone | 0.625 mg daily | Oral | Hip, vertebral, nonvertebral | With progesterone: $40 Without progesterone: $47 |
| Prevention and treatment | Alendronate (Fosamax) | 70 mg weekly | Oral | Hip, vertebral, nonvertebral | Tablet: $87, $77 (generic) Solution: $96 |
| Ibandronate (Boniva) | 150 mg monthly | Oral | Vertebral | $100 | |
| Risedronate (Actonel) | 35 mg weekly | Oral | Hip, vertebral, nonvertebral | $92 | |
| Raloxifene (Evista) | 60 mg daily | Oral | Vertebral | $108 | |
| Treatment | Ibandronate | 3 mg every three months for four doses | Intravenous | Increases bone mineral density, but fracture end point not evaluated | $162‡ |
| Zoledronic acid (Reclast) | 5 mg annually for three doses | Intravenous | Hip, vertebral, nonvertebral | $104 | |
| Calcitonin (Miacalcin) | 200 IU daily | Nasal | Vertebral | $126 | |
| Teriparatide (Forteo) | 20 mcg daily up to two years | Subcutaneous | Vertebral, nonvertebral | $675 |