| [ Summary ] |
To obtain a fracture-prevention effect from osteoporosis drugs, it is important to carefully monitor the drug efficacy. In cases when the expected effect is not obtained, it is necessary to confirm and adjust the dosing status and/or to consider switching to another drug. It is also important to explain the obtained effects to the patients to ensure continuation of the therapy. While standards for the initiation of osteoporosis drug therapy have been established, studies on the optimal treatment duration are still underway. In several proposals from other countries, there is agreement that treatment discontinuation should be considered in patients without osteoporotic fractures who have femoral or lumbar spine bone density T scores of >-2.5 (hopefully, >-2.0) by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry. Particularly, in Japan, it is desirable to formulate treatment management guidelines that reflect the social background and the medical care system in the country. |