Alternate options to hormone replacement therapy for osteoporosis.

This presentation, developed from a symposium lecture at the 40th Annual Convention of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians on March 22, 2003, in Nashville, Tenn, highlights three pivotal studies that have altered the preferred option for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. The Heart Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS), the HERS II, and the Women's Health Initiative provide evidence that the benefits (fewer colorectal cancers and hip fractures) of using hormone replacement therapy--conjugated equine estrogens (0.625 mg/d) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.

Gastrointestinal tolerability and effectiveness of rofecoxib versus naproxen in the treatment of osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity mediated by dual cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibition of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause serious alterations of mucosal integrity or, more commonly, intolerable GI symptoms that may necessitate discontinuation of therapy. Unlike NSAIDs, rofecoxib targets only the COX-2 isoform.

Objective: To assess the tolerability of rofecoxib compared with naproxen for treatment of osteoarthritis.