10 April 2008

People seeking treatment for osteoporosis can now download accurate, evidence-based information about medicines, courtesy of the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS).

The latest edition of Medicine Update reviews strontium ranelate (Protos), a medicine which is used to treat osteoporosis, or fragile bones. It can be used by women who already have a fracture due to osteoporosis and by women who have not, but are at high risk.

Medicine Update is an NPS publication that helps to answer some of the questions commonly asked about medicines when they first become available through the PBS.

NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes is encouraging people to read Medicine Update if they are thinking of taking strontium or have just started taking it. It can be downloaded from the consumer section of the NPS website or use your favourite search engine to search Australia for “Medicine Update”.

“Medicine Update gives important information about how to use the medicine, as well as how it compares with other medicines for osteoporosis,” Dr Weekes said.

She said it was important that people also be aware of non-medicine approaches to managing osteoporosis. “Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, a good diet, some sunshine and giving up smoking are ways that all of us can help prevent and treat osteoporosis.

“If your doctor suggests a medicine for osteoporosis, find out as much as you can about the benefits, any possible side effects, how to take it, what to do while taking it, and how long to take it for so that you achieve the maximum benefits,” Dr Weekes said.

For information on best use of strontium, read Medicine Update and the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) sheet, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or contact the NPS Medicines Line on 1300 888 763.

This is the second edition of Medicine Update to feature a medicine for osteoporosis. A review of alendronate (Fosamax) was published on the website in early January.

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.