Treating osteoporosis with teriparatide: many unknowns?

Abstract

In the US, teriparatide is indicated for the treatment of patients with osteoporosis who are "at high risk for fracture." Although placebo-controlled trials show that teriparatide can reduce fractures, there is little information on its efficacy compared to available alternatives. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration highlighted concerns about teriparatide's carcinogenic effects in rats. Company-sponsored studies have been voluntarily stopped.