Summary: Your bones, like everything else in your body, are part of a dynamic system: in this case calcium is stored or released, depending on the needs of your body and the amount of calcium consumed. Bone mineral density, which measures calcium and other minerals, provides a picture of the strength of your bones. Naturally – or maybe not so naturally – when there is a low bone mineral density (osteopenia or osteoporosis) there are drugs designed to affect this building and breakdown of bone. This episode discusses alendronate – a common drug in the bisphosphonate class, designed to slow bone resorption (breakdown).
Topics:
· Osteopenia Definition 01:15
· Osteoporosis Definition 01:50
· t-number 02:10
· Bone Remodeling 04:25
· Bone = Calcium reservoir and source 04:50
· -penia 06:40
· Before Meds 07:20
· Drug-Induced Osteopenia 08:00
· You’re Not Alone! 09:45
· Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts 11:00
· Bisphosphonate – Alendronate 11:50
· GI Concerns 14:20
· Duration of Treatment? 14:45
· Alendronate Onset of Action 15:20
· Evista 16:00
· Alendronate Possible Side Effects 18:25
· Jaw Necrosis (rare) 21:00
· Resources 23:00
· Falls Prevention 23:15
· Monitor You 24:30
· Pharmacist and Physician 24:50
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