Some medicines can be harmful to your bones, even if you need to take these medicines for another condition. Bone loss is usually greater if you take them in high doses or for a long time. One risky type of medicine for bones is steroid medicines. Many people need to take these medicines to relieve inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or asthma and for other reasons.

It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of any medicines you take and about how they may affect your bones. Do not stop any treatment or change the dose of your medicines unless your healthcare provider says it’s safe to do so. If you need to take a medicine that causes bone loss, work with your healthcare provider to take the lowest possible dose to control your symptoms.

Below is a list of medicines that may cause bone loss.

• Aluminum-containing antacids
• Antiseizure medicines (only some) such as Dilantin® or Phenobarbital
• Aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex®, Aromasin® and Femara®
• Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs
• Cyclosporine A and FK506 (Tacrolimus)
• Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) such as Lupron® and Zoladex®
• Heparin
• Lithium
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception (Depo-Provera®)
• Methotrexate
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium®, Prevacid® and Prilosec®
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro®, Prozac® and Zoloft®
• Steroids (glucocorticoids) such as cortisone and prednisone
• Tamoxifen® (premenopausal use)
• Thiazolidinediones such as Actos® and Avandia®
• Thyroid hormones in excess

Note: This list may not include all medicines that may cause bone loss.

Osteoporosis and Steroid Medicines

Although many people need to take steroid medicines for health problems, they can cause bone loss and osteoporosis. These medicines are often referred to as steroids, glucocorticoids or corticosteroids. They should not be confused with anabolic steroids. These are male hormones that some athletes use to build muscle.

Steroids are much like certain hormones made by your own body. Healthcare providers prescribe them for many conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (but not osteoarthritis), asthma, Crohn’s disease, lupus and allergies. They are often prescribed to relieve inflammation. They are also used along with other medicines to treat cancer and autoimmune conditions and to support organ transplants. Common steroid medicines are cortisone, dexamethasone (Decadron^®), methylprednisolone (Medrol^®) and prednisone. Intravenous forms include methylprednisolone sodium succinate (Solu-Medrol^®).

If you need to take steroid medicines for more than a few weeks, you should take steps to prevent bone loss. People of all ages can lose bone and even break bones if they take large doses of steroids for a long time. Taking steroid medicines as pills in a dose of 5 mg or more for three or more months can increase the chance of bone loss and developing osteoporosis.

While steroid medicines increase your risk of getting osteoporosis, they can be lifesaving treatments for some conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider about taking the lowest dose for the shortest period of time for your condition. While taking steroids, it is especially important to get enough calcium and vitamin D. It’s also important to exercise and not smoke. You may also want to ask your healthcare provider if you need a bone density test.

Additional Related Topics

Diseases and Conditions that May Cause Bone Loss - Information on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.