Abstract
Fracture healing is a complex physiological process. As impaired fracture healing is more frequent in osteoporotic subjects, anti-osteoporotic drugs could have some impact on this process. Areas covered: We reviewed the current literature to evaluate the effects of these drugs on fracture healing and their potential role in supporting this process, especially when impaired. A PubMed/Medline search was undertaken combining the terms 'fracture healing', 'anti-resorptive drugs', 'anabolic agents', 'anti-osteoporotic drugs'. Expert opinion: As clinical evidence on the role of anti-osteoporotic drugs in the process of fracture healing consists mainly of case reports or studies with a relatively small number of patients, large randomized clinical trials are needed in order to extend to the human setting the promising results on these agents as inductors or co-adjuvants of bone healing derived from animal studies.
Keywords:
Anti-fracture drugs; anti-resorptive drugs; bone anabolic drugs; fracture healing; fracture healing impairment.
MeSH terms
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Anabolic Agents / therapeutic use
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Animals
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Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage
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Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
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Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
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Bone and Bones / drug effects*
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Bone and Bones / metabolism
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Calcitonin / administration & dosage
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Calcitonin / adverse effects
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Calcitonin / therapeutic use
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Calcium / administration & dosage
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Calcium / adverse effects
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Calcium / therapeutic use
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Denosumab / administration & dosage
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Denosumab / adverse effects
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Denosumab / therapeutic use
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Diphosphonates / administration & dosage
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Diphosphonates / adverse effects
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Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
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Fracture Healing / drug effects*
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Fractures, Bone / complications
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Fractures, Bone / drug therapy*
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Humans
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Osteoporosis / complications
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Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
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Teriparatide / administration & dosage
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Teriparatide / adverse effects
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Teriparatide / therapeutic use
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Vitamin D / administration & dosage
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Vitamin D / adverse effects
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Vitamin D / therapeutic use
Substances
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Anabolic Agents
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Bone Density Conservation Agents
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Diphosphonates
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Teriparatide
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Vitamin D
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Denosumab
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Calcitonin
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Calcium