Do patients taking prednisone need to be on treatment for osteoporosis?

Long-term treatment with prednisone, even at relatively low doses, is associated with bone loss and is considered a risk factor for bone fractures even with a normal bone density test.  All patients treated with prednisone should be on supplemental calcium (1000-1200 mg daily) and vitamin D (800 IU daily) therapy unless contraindicated.  The decision regarding therapy with other medications can be made after a more detailed individual risk profiling for fracture.

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