Bone Health
This category covers medicines that strengthen bone and correct calcium or vitamin D shortfalls, mainly to prevent fractures in osteoporosis. Treatment is usually long term and combines a bone-protecting medicine with correction of the calcium and vitamin D that support it.
Raloxifene Tablets
60mg
Raloxifene 60mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of osteoporosis. A SERM that acts like oestrogen on bone but not on breast tissue.
Calcium Carbonate Tablets
500mg
Calcium carbonate 500mg tablets, used for calcium deficiency and osteoporosis. A source of elemental calcium for bone and muscle function.
Key points
- The aim is fracture prevention, which is why treatment continues without any obvious day-to-day effect.
- Bisphosphonates slow bone loss, while vitamin D and calcium correct the shortfalls that undermine it.
- How a bisphosphonate is taken, upright and away from food, changes how much is absorbed.
Classes and ingredients in this category
- Bisphosphonates such as alendronic acid slow bone loss.
- Vitamin D forms like alfacalcidol and calcitriol support calcium balance.
- Calcium supplements such as calcium carbonate.
Conditions it covers
These medicines are used for osteoporosis, osteomalacia and hypocalcaemia. Bone density, fracture history and calcium status decide the regimen, which is reviewed rather than continued indefinitely.