A Comparison Between Bisphosphonates and Teriparatide in the Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review

The majority of clinical research continues to focus on evaluating the efficacy of teriparatide and bisphosphonates in the treatment of osteoporosis. This systematic review gathered data from extensive research assessing the efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes of various medications. The objective was to determine the effectiveness and clinical implications of teriparatide and bisphosphonates in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. We analyzed 15 comprehensive studies, encompassing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The primary studies included large trials and several medium-sized trials that examined changes in bone mineral density (BMD), fracture risk, and adverse outcomes. Teriparatide significantly lowered vertebral fracture risk compared with risedronate in patients with severe osteoporosis and increased lumbar spine BMD to a comparable extent as alendronate, though via a distinct anabolic mechanism. Combination therapy with zoledronic acid resulted in greater BMD gains than either agent alone. Most adverse events were mild and transient, including injection-site reactions, nausea, and dizziness, with no significant difference in serious adverse event rates compared with bisphosphonates. Network meta-analyses indicate that romosozumab may achieve greater early spine BMD gains than teriparatide. Teriparatide is effective in lowering vertebral fracture risk and enhancing BMD in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Anabolic agents, including teriparatide, are recommended as first-line therapy for patients at very high risk of fractures (e.g., very low BMD with prevalent fractures or fractures occurring during glucocorticoid therapy), followed by a transition to antiresorptive therapy. Treatment selection should be guided by guideline-based risk stratification rather than applying a uniform stepwise approach.