[Guidelines for the management of osteoporosis].

Treatment of osteoporosis aims to reduce osteoporotic fractures and to minimize fracture-related pain and functional impairment. Components of non-drug therapy include improvement of muscle strength and coordination, treatment of modifiable causes of falls, a diet rich in calcium and sufficient in calories, adequate supply of vitamin D and an individual assessment of drugs known to increase falls or osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates, raloxifene, strontium ranelate and parathyroid hormone have been shown to reduce osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Alendronate, risedronate and parathyroid hormone are also licensed for the treatment of male osteoporosis. One of the still open questions is the optimal duration of pharmacological treatment.