• Cathy Kessenich.
• University of Tampa, Florida, USA. CKessenich@ut.edu
• J Am Acad Nurse Prac. 2003 Dec 1; 15 (12): 539-45.

PurposeTo review and discuss the clinical evaluation and therapeutic options for a postmenopausal woman with osteoporosis.Data SourcesReview of scientific literature, practice guidelines, and a case study.ConclusionsTo prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, women should be encouraged to perform weight-bearing exercise, to not smoke, and to optimize calcium and vitamin D intake through diet and supplements. Drug regimens are effective and well tolerated in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.Implications For PracticeDrugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis include the bisphosphonates risedronate and alendronate; the selective estrogen receptor modulator, raloxifene; and intranasal calcitonin-salmon spray. Bisphosphonates have demonstrated the most impressive fracture risk reduction in prospective clinical trials of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Risedronate has consistently demonstrated significant reductions in vertebral fracture risk at 1 year and in vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk at 3 years. Alendronate has demonstrated significant reductions in vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk after 3 years.

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