Treatment Sequence Certainly Matters: Anabolic and Antiresorptive Therapy for Osteoporosis

The effects of anabolic medications (teriparatide [TPTD] and parathyroid hormone [PTH]) differ in patients who have received recent treatment with potent antiresorptives. This perspective reviews studies evaluating bone density (BMD) and histomorphometric effects of treatment sequences beginning with TPTD/PTH followed by potent antiresorptives and those beginning with potent antiresorptives followed by switching to or adding TPTD. Effect of treatment sequence on spine BMD outcome is minor, with modest quantitative differences. However, when individuals established on potent bisphosphonates are switched to TPTD, hip BMD declines below baseline for at least the first 12 months after the switch to TPTD….