A 58-year-old woman with osteoporosis is started on a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that reduces vertebral fracture risk but does not significantly reduce non-vertebral or hip fracture risk. The drug also reduces the risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The drug is:
- A Raloxifene ✓
- B Alendronate
- C Teriparatide
- D Calcitonin
Correct answer: A. Raloxifene
Explanation
Raloxifene is a SERM with estrogen agonist effects on bone (reducing vertebral fractures) and antagonist effects on breast (reducing ER-positive breast cancer risk). It does not reduce non-vertebral or hip fracture risk significantly. Alendronate reduces hip fractures. Teriparatide is anabolic. Calcitonin has modest vertebral fracture reduction but is rarely used now.
Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.