Medicines that May Cause Bone Loss*
The following medicines may cause bone loss:
- Aluminum-containing antacids
- Some antiseizure medicines
- Aromatase inhibitors
- Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs
- Gonadotropin releasing hormones
- Heparin
- Lithium
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Steroids (glucocorticoids) such as cortisone and prednisone
- Thiazolidinediones
- Thyroid hormones in excess
Note: This list may not include all medicines that may cause bone loss.
Diseases, Conditions and Medical Procedures That May Cause Bone Loss
Autoimmune Disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
Medical Procedures
- Gastrectomy
- Gastrointestinal bypass procedures
Hematologic/Blood Disorders
- Leukemia and lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Sickle cell disease
Blood and bone marrow disorders
- Thalassemia
Endocrine/Hormonal Disorders
- Diabetes
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Irregular periods
- Premature menopause
- Low levels of testosterone and estrogen in men
Digestive and Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Weight loss surgery
Cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
Neurological/Nervous System Disorders
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Spinal cord injuries
Mental Illness
- Depression
- Eating disorders
Other Diseases and Conditions
- AIDS/HIV
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema
- Female athlete triad (includes loss of menstrual periods, an eating disorder and excessive exercise)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Liver disease, including biliary cirrhosis
- Organ transplants
- Polio and post-polio syndrome
- Poor diet, including malnutrition
- Scoliosis
- Weight loss
Note: This list may not include all of the diseases and conditions that may cause bone loss. Talk to your doctor and ask if any of the conditions you have may be causing bone loss.
Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation