The decline in initiating treatment with any of the many medications known to reduce fracture risk is widely attributed to the outsize publicity given to the very rare risk of jaw necrosis and an uncommon fracture of the femur among patients who take bone drugs for many years. Yet the risk of a second hip fracture is far greater than either of these side effects, Dr. Bauer said. Also, it is very expensive and may not be covered by insurance, and licensed only for postmenopausal women with a high risk of fracture.) And with people living longer, hip fractures are increasingly likely. More than 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and another 44 million are at increased risk of developing it.

Source: International New York Times April 15, 2019 09:00 UTC