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These 5 Medications Quietly Destroy Your Bone Density

Talking With Docs

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Some of the medications you take every day might be quietly affecting your bone health — and you may not even realize it.

In this episode of Talking With Docs, the doctors break down the top 5 medications that can contribute to bone density loss, explaining how they work in the body and why they may weaken your bones over time.

From commonly prescribed drugs to long-term treatments, they explore the real science behind how these medications impact bone turnover, calcium absorption, and overall skeletal health — and what you can do to reduce that risk without stopping necessary treatment.

They also emphasize an important message: never stop a medication without speaking to your healthcare provider, but do understand how it may be affecting your body.

You’ll learn:
What medications can negatively affect bone density
How excess thyroid hormone can speed up bone breakdown
Why anti-seizure medications impact vitamin D levels
How aromatase inhibitors reduce estrogen and weaken bones
Why proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) affect calcium absorption
How steroids (glucocorticoids) significantly reduce bone strength
The concept of bone turnover (osteoblasts vs osteoclasts)
Why dose, duration, and long-term use matter
Simple ways to protect your bones while on these medications
When to talk to your doctor about reassessing your prescriptions

They also share practical strategies to help protect your bone health, including:
Weight-bearing and resistance training
Optimizing vitamin D and calcium intake
Ensuring adequate protein consumption
Monitoring bone density with scans
Understanding when additional treatments may be needed

If you’re taking medications long-term — or caring for someone who is — this episode gives you a clear, practical, and evidence-based understanding of how to protect your bones.

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🛑 DISCLAIMER:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent pain, fractures, or other concerning symptoms, consult a qualified healthcare provider. Full disclaimer at talkingwithdocs.com.

#bonedensity #osteoporosis #medications #healthscience #doctorapproved #medicalmyths #talkingwithdocs

20 Comments

@tinamb5178 6 months ago

5. Thyroxine, 4. Anti-seizure medications, 3. Aromatase inhibitors, 2. Proton pump inhibitors (H2 blockers, too). 1. Steroids (Glucocorticoids). Talk with your PCP.

@terri.918 6 months ago

How in the world do you Doc’s have time to research a wide variety of health conditions, make excellent and informative videos, plus see patients and do surgeries?? You guys are quite amazing! Thanks for another great video!

@johnarnold24 3 months ago

Talk to your PCP ? I see mine every 6 months for 10 to 15 minutes. That's why I'm online listening to these guys.

@PASSnolaMOTY 5 months ago (edited)

I had some issues with low D3. They put me on a higher dose but never kept checking my blood work. About a year later, I Ended up in the emergency room basically with severe restless body syndrome and severe pain everywhere. It never occurred to me for one second it could be the D3. I didn’t even mention it.. They treated me like I was a drug addict trying to get a fix!! Even had a drug screen done .they sent me home feeling just as bad as I did when I walked in. Went to my regular doctor had blood work and found my D3 was at toxic levels. I didn’t even realize that it was a thing. But I’ll never go back to that Hospital after the way they treated me and dismissed me! They surely didn’t dismiss the bill!

@MyrriahKO 1 month ago

I absolutely love the mutual admiration you guys share.💙

@lisamaserjian-hj1js 6 months ago

Maybe this video will get me to reduce my coffee consumption. That makes my acid reflux worse which makes me take an anti-acid pill. Good video.

@cynthiabujold2225 6 months ago (edited)

I’m taking thyroxine subsequent to thyroid CA with total thyroidectomy in 2019. I need to take a fairly high dose to ensure my TSH is suppressed. My oncologist reduced the dosage in January 2025. By last autumn, I felt horrible on the reduced dose - incredibly fatigued, low mood, etc. By January of 2026, my energy had plummeted. Thyroid function studies revealed my TSH had spiked to 5+, and my thyroglobulin had increased from 6 to 24 in one year. Consequently, the dosage is being titrated back up, and I’m feeling better. Moral of the story: so much of medication administration is a balancing act, and it’s crucial to weigh out the risks vs benefits. Love your channel, Doctors. Awesome content (with a bonus sense of humour). I repeat your motto often! Thanks & keep up the great work!

@veganperson 5 months ago (edited)

I have been taking carbamazepine (Tegratol) for epilepsy for years and now I have osteoporosis, thanks a lot stupid medication. When I went in years ago to my neurologist (she has since retired thank goodness) she told me I just needed to lift weights. I had no answer to that as I brought up the side effect of carbamazepine and bone density, so I thought it really stupid of her to say that, also because I work in a grocery store and was lifting thousands of pounds of groceries from skids to wheelers. And I’ve been taking 3,000 units of D3 for years. Anyway my doctor put me on a bone building medication for menopausal women to see if that will help. There can be nasty side effects and I am keeping watch for jaw pain of course.

@PhyllisGentry-b8n 5 months ago

I use to have good bones till I was put on steroids for 18 months for RA. After being diagnosed with osteopenia, I discontinued the steroids and refuse to take them again. I've increased Calcium with Vitamin D3 and trying to do more resistance training. Thank you for this video.

@PaulKeating-t6c 5 months ago

I love these discussions about bone density because I know a lot about density itself. In fact when I went to university in my youth the Professor told me that I was the most dense student in his class.

@resilientjourneys8117 5 months ago

Can you talk about asthma meds, like Advair, for bone density?

@marjoriesmales7917 6 months ago

Canadians docs rock!🥰

@womanofmystery24 6 months ago

I was on gabapentin for nerve pain for many years. My doc assured me it was completely safe even when I asked about the research on bone density. I tapered off of it and my bone density was improved six months later.

@billswifejo 5 months ago

I am on long term PPIs due to a hiatus hernia. I was advised to add Magnesium and bioculture complex - I was already taking vitamin D and a relatively high protein diet, but didn’t know about weight-bearing exercises. It’s been a long time since I had a dexa scan, I think I will get a repeat.

@janeleslie4192 6 months ago (edited)

I get my thyroid levels checked every 6 months. I was able to wean off ppi by diet control. Took awhile but no ppi for me as of now.

@brendasmith6983 5 months ago

P.T. said I should not do weights. I want to build up my strength 💪. I'm going to start out slowly and build it up. Thanks Doc's 😊

@TheKyPerson 6 months ago

Osteoporosis runs in my family. I eat a high calcium diet and make sure my vitamin D levels are good. I don't take any of the medications you mention. I have mild osteopenia (I'm 75). I am looking at a knee replacement in the very near future and I look to you two for good advice.

@PeaceNotHate-q8y 6 months ago

You teach such very important information. Thank you 🙌 Happy long weekend 🐇🌞

@lynleyshort2758 5 months ago

I was on PCPs for over 20 years and got osteoporosis so then I was given Risedronate for 5 years to help with OP. Now I have OA and OP plus bone loss in my jaw.
Now I only take vitamin D and vitamins.

@danieldeere5700 6 months ago

I only found out 18 months ago after 15 years on them that anti seizure meds could do this. When by random chance a GP recommended a DEXA scan. I was already at the point of osteoporosis. So lucky he was aware. Zero other GPs or specialists noticed it. When I checked the journal articles it was well established for valproate/epilim. Good to raise awareness of this. Shocking how little awareness there is given that it’s clinically proven in RCTs. Thanks for raising awareness.