Teriparatide

Teriparatide is a man-made medicine that acts like a specific hormone your body makes to build bone. It is used by people with weak bones, a condition known as osteoporosis, to help make their bones stronger and prevent breaks. This medicine is different from other bone pills because it helps the body build new bone tissue instead of just stopping bone loss. It is usually given as a daily shot under the skin.

The main goal of using this medicine is to lower the chance of breaking a bone, which can be very painful and make it hard to move. It works by telling the bone-building cells in your body to work harder. This is very helpful for older adults or those who have already had bone breaks. It can make bones thicker and lower the risk of future fractures by a large amount.

There are some important things to know about safety with this medicine. Unlike some other bone drugs, this one does not seem to cause a rare jaw problem called osteonecrosis. This means patients usually do not need to stop taking it for dental work. However, it is a strong medicine that requires a doctor's prescription. It is not for people who need a simple vitamin fix, but for those at high risk of broken bones.