Skeleton Pirate

Skeleton Pirate
Artist: LindaB

WELCOME TO STRONTIUM FOR BONES BLOG

Have you experienced negative, and even dangerous, side effects from Fosamax (alendronate), Boniva (ibandronate), Actonel (risedronate), Reclast (zoledronic acid), Prolia (denosumab), Forteo (teriparatide), Tymlos (abaloparatide), or other drugs prescribed for osteoporosis? If you have, then rest assured there is a safe, effective treatment for this condition. Strontium, primarily in the form of strontium citrate, is taken orally once a day.

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Blog Archive

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Fracture Warnings for Invokana and Invokamet Diabetes Drugs



“The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strengthened its warning for canagliflozin (Invokana, Invokamet, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) related to the increased risk for bone fractures.”

“The …product label for canagliflozin had already mentioned the risk for bone fractures. Now, based on new confirmatory information from several clinical trials, the FDA has added further warning and precaution information. In the trials, the fractures affected the upper extremities, occurred as early as 12 weeks after starting the drug, and typically arose from minor trauma such as falling from a standing height.”

“The FDA has also added new information to the label about decreased bone mineral density at the hip and lower spine.”

“The FDA is also evaluating the possible risk for bone fractures for other drugs in the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class, including dapagliflozin (Farxiga, Xigduo XR, AstraZeneca) and empagliflozin (Jardiance, Glyxambi, Synjardy, Lilly/Boehringer Ingelheim), to determine whether additional label changes or studies are needed. The label for Farxiga mentions a small number of cases of fractures in patients with renal impairment; the Jardiance prescribing information does not mention bone effects.”

“…SGLT2 inhibitors increase concentrations of phosphate in serum, probably via increased tubular reabsorption, which has the potential to adversely affect bone.”

“Furthermore…SGLT2 inhibitors increase concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Sustained increases in PTH concentration enhance bone resorption and increase the risk for bone fractures.”

"Although canagliflozin causes a small increase in mean PTH concentration (7.9%), the standard deviation is large. Thus, a substantial number of patients treated with canagliflozin might have a 50% or greater increase in PTH concentrations — a change that could be clinically significant…"

Simeon I. Taylor, MD, professor of medicine at University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, said, "Although not proven, I believe that increased risk of bone fracture is likely a class effect. Nevertheless, individual drugs differ with respect to selectivity for SGLT2 vs. SGLT1, and also with respect to where on the dose-response curve the approved dose falls. So, it is certainly possible that the magnitude of the risk could vary among individual SGLT2 inhibitors."




Wandering Skeleton

Wandering Skeleton
Artist: Joel Hoekstra

Osteoporotic Bone

Osteoporotic Bone
Source: www.mayoclinic.com

How Strontium Builds Bones

Strontium is a mineral that tends to accumulate in bone. Studies have shown that oral doses of strontium are a safe and effective way to prevent and reverse osteoporosis. Doses of 680 mg per day appear to be optimal. See my "For More Information About Strontium" links section.

Osteoporosis is caused by changes in bone production. In healthy young bones there is a constant cycle of new bone growth and bone removal. With age, more bone is removed and less new bone is produced. The bones become less dense and thus more fragile.

Scientists believe that strontium works in two ways. It may stimulate the replication of pre-osteoblasts, leading to an increase in osteoblasts (cells that build bone). Strontium also directly inhibits the activity of osteoclasts (cells that break down bone). The result is stronger bones.

When taking strontium, be sure to take 1200 mg calcium, 1000 IU vitamin D3, and 500 mg magnesium daily. It is best to take strontium late at night on an empty stomach. Calcium and strontium may compete with each other for absorption if taken together.