The importance of bisphosphonate therapy in maintaining bone mass in men after therapy with teriparatide [human parathyroid hormone(1?34)]

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Teriparatide, the active fragment of human parathyroid hormone (hPTH 1–34), is an anabolic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis. Important questions remain regarding management strategy beyond the recommended 18- to 24-month course of teriparatide treatment. We followed 21 men for up to 2 years after discontinuing teriparatide. Twelve men (57%) chose treatment with bisphosphonate immediately after teriparatide withdrawal, while 9 (43%) opted for no pharmacologic agent. At the end of 1 year lumbar spine bone density increased an additional 5.1±1.0% in the bisphosphonate group, while it declined by 3.7±1.7% in those on no medication (PP=0.002). For the 4-year period, including 2 years of teriparatide and 2 years of bisphosphonate, the total gains at the lumbar spine were 23.6±2.9%. Men, who received bisphosphonate in only the 2nd year post-teriparatide, had cumulative gains of 11.1±3.4%. Three men who did not receive any bisphosphonate at any time during the post-PTH period had cumulative gains of only 5.5±3.7%. These findings suggest that the use of bisphosphonates following teriparatide is an important component of any strategy utilizing this anabolic drug for osteoporosis in men. The immediate use of bisphosphonates after teriparatide withdrawal may help to optimize gains in bone density at the lumbar spine.

This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit: