Tibolone

This therapy is an alternative form of hormone therapy for treating menopausal symptoms. Tibolone may not have the same stimulatory effects on the breast as standard forms of hormone therapy.⁹³ However, this has yet to be evaluated in properly conducted clinical trials. There is evidence that it has beneficial effects on bone and leads to an increase in bone mineral density.⁸⁷ Studies are currently underway to evaluate the effects of this medication in terms of preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and assessing whether it is effective in preventing fracture.

Parathyroid hormone

This therapy is available in Australia. There is as yet no PBS listing for parathyroid hormone therapy. This hormone is administered daily via a subcutaneous injection. Parathyroid hormone therapy leads to new bone formation. Parathyroid hormone therapy leads to new bone formation.⁹⁴ The administration of calcium and vitamin D supplements with this medication needs to be done cautiously and requires monitoring under the care of a specialist physician. Most of the studies with this medication have only been for up to 2 years. In Australia treatment is limited to one 18-month course per lifetime. There appears to be a clear benefit in terms of reducing vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.^61,95 However, a reduction in hip fractures has not seen, probably because of inadequate study power. Due to the expense of this therapy, its use in Australia is not widespread. Its prescription for use remains confined to specialists in osteoporosis.

Content updated July 28, 2009