Hi Fazleh, several studies such as the EUROFORS study investigated the benefits of Teriparatide showing significant effects especially in the vertebral bone. Article Sequential Treatment of Severe Postmenopausal Osteoporosis A...

Pharma is coming with a strong push for Teriparatide and the usual éxperts'are touting it.

Do we have an alternative for a bone former?

are we stuck with this expensive, niggly drug?

Having worked with PTH and analogs for decades, the answer is that it is the only agent which stimulates new bone formation instead of just inhibiting resorption. This goes back to Fuller Albright's observations that pulsatile PTH has different effects, osteoblast effects, rather than continuous PTH, as in hyperpara, which is osteolytic. While it has to be injected daily, the needle is very fine and most patients have no problem. The black box warning relates to rats given massive doses throughout their lives. There is no evidence of osteogenic sarcoma in humans, either with pharmacologic doses or long term low level hyperparathyroidism. Long term studies in primates and dogs do not show any evidence of sarcomatous change. This is the reason the FDA limits it's use to 2 years. There are no other bone formers except the other PTH analogs. While Sr can be considered a possible bone former, the crystal structure is abnormal and there is no fracture benefit as the crystal is more friable.

The usual experts know what they are talking about here.

@ Fazleh Mahomed

Yes, teriparatide is useful in the treatment of osteoporosis. Kindly see the following RG links.

Article Teriparatide for osteoporosis: Importance of the full course

Article Teriparatide in the management of osteoporosis

Article Teriparatide in the treatment of osteoporosis

Thanks!

Thanks!