Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is recognized as a major health threat. The number of patients will certainly grow with the aging of the population. While preventive strategies, such as calcium, vitamin D, exercise and reduced risk factors may diminish the impact of menopause and age-regulated bone loss, many patients will become candidates for pharmacologic therapy. A variety of options are available, including HRT, bisphosphonates, SERMs, calcitonin, strontium ranelate, teriparatid. New forms of treatment are appearing on the horizon, such as monoclonal antibodies, nitrates, beta-blockers and Cathepsin K inhibitors.