<s>[INST] Do I need a “drug holiday”? [/INST] Women who have been on the osteoporosis medicines called bisphosphonates for 3 to 5 years should get a repeat bone density test and fracture risk assessment. Women who have a low-to-moderate risk of fracture could be prescribed a “bisphosphonate holiday.”

During a “drug holiday” the patient’s fracture risk is regularly assessed and treatment resumed accordingly. A “drug holiday” should be considered a short-term vacation, not long-term retirement.

The advice about a “drug holiday” applies only to bisphosphonates.

Other osteoporosis medicines such as denosumab (Prolia®), teriparatide (Forteo®), abaloparatide (Tymlos®) and romosozumab (Evenity®) must be followed by another medicine.

In the case of teriparatide and abaloparatide, using a bisphosphonate or denosumab will help maintain the gains in bone density made by the two bone building medicines.

When medicines like denosumab and romosozumab are stopped, the metabolic process that they were inhibiting resumes and there can be rapid bone loss.

Do not stop any medicine for osteoporosis before you talk with your health care provider. Source: American Bone Health. Link: https://americanbonehealth.org/frequently-asked-questions/. Field: Rheumatology. Disease: Ostoeporosis </s>