Can corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis be prevented?

The daily intake of dietary and/or supplemental calcium should be kept between 1000 and 1500 mg. If-vitamin D supplements are also given, the daily dose should be within the physiologic ranged (800 U/day). The effects of calcitonin and are controversial. Hormone replacement therapy can be considered in postmenopausal women. The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis are based on bone mineral density measurements. Bisphosphonate therapy is useful at onset of high-dose corticosteroid therapy with an anticipated duration of several months, and is strongly recommended in patients with established osteoporosis. Injectable forms (pamidronate, ibandronate) given intermittently are useful in patients with bowel diseases likely to cause intolerance to oral bisphosphonates.