There is no single osteoporosis treatment that is best for everyone. Romosozumab (EVENITY) is an FDA-approved bone-building drug for certain postmenopausal women. Which option fits you depends on your bone density scan, your fracture history and your overall health, so make that choice with your clinician.
What is the new osteoporosis breakthrough in the news?
Headlines about a new scientific breakthrough for bones can be hard to judge. A headline makes a claim, but it doesn’t tell you whether the finding came from a lab, from animals or from people. Before you act on it, check three things: whether the study was done in a lab, in animals or in people; how many people took part and for how long; and what it measured, such as bone density, fractures or both.
Bone density and fracture rates are different measures. A higher bone density reading on a scan and a lower chance of breaking a bone are not the same result, so don’t treat one as proof of the other.
Harvard Health puts the existing options plainly: “Many drugs available today can slow the rate of bone loss and can rebuild bone strength.” That describes drugs already in use. It doesn’t tell you what the new finding in the headline showed.
What osteoporosis treatments are approved?
The New York State FDA-approved osteoporosis medicines list was last revised in June 2020, so check the FDA for anything added since then. The list says FDA approval means the medication has been proven to slow bone loss, increase bone density and reduce fracture risk at the spine or hip. It sorts the medicines into two groups: antiresorptive medicines, which prevent bone loss, and anabolic medicines, which build new bone.
The NHS osteoporosis treatment guide covers the main groups. Here is what each one does and the side effects the NHS lists.
| Treatment group | Examples | What it does | Side effects the NHS lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bisphosphonates | Alendronic acid, ibandronic acid, risedronate, zoledronic acid | Slow the rate at which bone is broken down. Usually take 6 to 12 months to work. | Irritation to the food pipe, swallowing problems, stomach pain. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is rare. |
| SERM | Raloxifene (the only SERM for osteoporosis, per the NHS) | Works like oestrogen on bone. Helps maintain bone density and reduce spine fracture risk. | Hot flushes, leg cramps, a potential increased risk of blood clots. |
| Parathyroid hormone drugs | Teriparatide, abaloparatide | Stimulate cells that create new bone. Can increase bone density (NHS, Harvard Health). | Nausea, headaches and dizziness are common. |
| Biological medicines | Denosumab (Prolia), romosozumab (EVENITY) | Denosumab prevents the cells that dissolve bone from forming (Harvard Health). Romosozumab blocks sclerostin, a protein that stops bone forming (Arthritis Foundation). | Common side effects for biological medicines in general: muscle or joint pain, rashes, constipation and cold-like symptoms. |
| Estrogen or hormone therapy | HRT | The NHS says HRT has been shown to keep bones strong and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. | Some types slightly increase breast cancer risk. HRT tablets slightly increase blood clot risk. |
The NHS guide says the decision about what treatment you need, if any, depends on factors including your age, sex, risk of breaking a bone and previous injury history. It also says you may not need or want to take medicine.
Is EVENITY (romosozumab) the best treatment?
It is not the best choice for everyone, and no single option is. EVENITY’s own website describes it this way, as of October 2026: “EVENITY is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause who are at high risk of fracture, or cannot use another osteoporosis medicine or other osteoporosis medicines did not work well.”
EVENITY’s website says it “is proven to significantly reduce spine fracture risk in just 12 months” and that it “increases bone mineral density in 3 critical areas: the lower spine, at the hip, and the top of the thigh bone.”
The Arthritis Foundation reports that the FDA approved romosozumab for postmenopausal women who have fractures, are at very high risk for fractures or haven’t responded to other treatments. It says that in clinical trials romosozumab increased spine bone density “as much as 15%” and cut down on spinal fractures. A biotech analyst quoted by the Arthritis Foundation says hip fractures in the study decreased by only 25%.
The drug comes with a warning. The Arthritis Foundation says it carries an FDA warning for an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death. EVENITY’s website says to tell your provider if you have had a heart attack or stroke, especially in the past year. It also says not to receive EVENITY if you have low blood calcium or are allergic to romosozumab or any of its ingredients.
Experts disagree about where it fits. A rheumatologist quoted in the Arthritis Foundation article thinks it will be best for postmenopausal women with “multiple Grade 2 or 3 [moderate to severe] vertebral fractures and a low T score [meaning severe osteoporosis] who haven’t been previously treated.” Another rheumatologist quoted there says a new osteoporosis drug should only get traction if it doesn’t have the rare side effects of atypical femur fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw.
How much do the bone-building drugs cost?
The Arthritis Foundation article gives these figures. Prices change and depend on your insurance, so check today’s price with your pharmacy, your insurer or your prescriber’s office.
| Drug | Cost given in the article |
|---|---|
| Romosozumab (EVENITY) | Approximately $21,900 a year ($1,825 a month) |
| Abaloparatide (Tymlos) | Comparable to romosozumab |
| Teriparatide (Forteo) | $41,100 a year, almost double |
The same article says a rheumatologist expects the parathyroid drugs to be bought under Medicare Part D, while romosozumab is available under Medicare Part B, which he says should make it affordable for more patients. Ask your insurer which part applies to you.
What are the new treatments for osteoporosis in 2026?
The Osteoporosis treatment: current drugs and future developments review describes the approved drugs as “currently approved clinical therapeutic drugs” and covers newer ideas that are under development.
What newer ideas does the 2024 review cover?
Lab and animal results come before human trials, so they can’t tell you how a person would respond. That is our takeaway, not a finding from the review. The review covers these ideas in its own words.
| Idea | What the 2024 review says |
|---|---|
| Strontium | Strontium is an older drug the review lists among clinically used drugs, not a new idea. The review says its use increases the risk of myocardial infarction, thromboembolic events and rare severe cutaneous reactions, and it “has not been approved in the United States.” |
| Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) | They “show skeletal and muscle anabolic activity in preclinical models.” |
| Raloxifene in nanoparticles | A 2022 study encapsulated raloxifene in human serum albumin nanoparticles as an intravenous formulation, which the review says “could be a potential nanomedicine.” |
What do Chinese people do for osteoporosis?
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one approach. The 2024 review describes TCM as “from a wide range of sources and mostly plants.” Its authors are based in China, with affiliations that include Chinese medicine institutions. They write that herbal plants have “unique advantages in regulating the relationship between osteoporosis and the immune system,” and that acupuncture “has significant therapeutic effects in combination with medicine for osteoporosis.” These are the authors’ views. The same review says the target cells and specific molecular mechanisms of TCM “have not been fully elucidated.” Herbs and acupuncture are not on the New York State list of FDA-approved medicines. Ask your clinician before you use any herbal product or acupuncture alongside your osteoporosis treatment.
Is there a vitamin or food that rebuilds bone fast?
Here is what the NHS and the 2024 review say.
- Calcium. The NHS says that for most healthy adults, a varied diet should supply the recommended 700 milligrams a day. If you have osteoporosis you may need more, usually as supplements, so ask your GP.
- Vitamin D. It helps your body absorb calcium. The NHS says it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, so everyone should consider a daily supplement during autumn and winter.
- Food first. The 2024 review says “vitamin D and calcium from food, which can be the first choice for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.”
- Vitamin C. The review says “appropriate levels of vitamin C in the diet are beneficial to bone metabolism and the absorption of calcium ions.”
- Vitamin K2. The review discusses menaquinone, a synthetic vitamin K2 drug, and calls it a “second-line drug” for postmenopausal osteoporosis. It also reports that menaquinone reduced the incidence of vertebral fractures in the randomized trials it reviewed. That is a drug, not the over-the-counter vitamin K2 supplement, so it doesn’t settle whether those supplements help. Our Vitamin K2 for Osteoporosis guide covers the supplement question separately.
Is there a quick way to raise bone density? The NHS says bisphosphonates usually take 6 to 12 months to work, and you may need to take them for 5 years or longer.
Which six foods should I avoid? Ask your clinician or a dietitian before cutting out any food group, so you don’t lose nutrients you need.
What can I do myself alongside treatment?
The New York State Department of Health lists the everyday steps: eat a well-balanced diet, get the right amounts of calcium and vitamin D, exercise every day, don’t smoke, limit alcohol and try to prevent falls. Harvard Health covers the medicine options. The Arthritis Foundation adds that doctors recommend resistance training and weight-bearing exercise such as walking or running.
Falls are a big part of the risk. The NIA room-by-room fall prevention guide suggests handrails on both sides of any stairs, good lighting with switches at the top and bottom of stairs, and carpets fixed firmly to the floor.
Supplements are a separate question. The NIA says to talk with your health care provider before starting any new prescription, OTC medicine, or supplement.
When should I see a clinician about treatment?
Harvard Health says your doctor will measure bone density, usually at the hip and spine, using DEXA. Your doctor will likely recommend medicine if you have:
- a T-score of –2.5 or lower
- a history of a hip or spine fracture caused by a fall while standing
- a T-score between –1.0 and –2.5 and a high risk of a hip or osteoporosis-related fracture in the next 10 years, according to a fracture risk calculator
If you have already broken a bone because of osteoporosis, the NHS says you should still receive treatment to reduce your risk of further broken bones.
Before you talk to your clinician
- Based on my bone density scan and fracture history, which group do I fall into?
- Do I have a history of heart attack or stroke, and does that change which option fits me?
- Do I have low blood calcium, kidney problems or dental work planned?
- If a bisphosphonate is an option, do I need a dental check-up first? The NHS says a history of dental problems may call for one.
- What will I pay with my insurance, and which Medicare part covers it?
For the bigger picture on joints and bones, our Joint, Muscle and Bone Care section is a good next place to read.
By BackToHealthTroy.com Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.