How do you counsel patients on the risks and benefits of strontium supplements for osteoporosis management?

No experts whom I know prescribe Strontium for osteoporosis. It has not been shown to be efficacious to reduce fractures, although bone density will rise substantially. Also, bear in mind of very serious toxicities that have been associated with this drug. I would never use it in any of my patients.

The question about strontium use is complicated because the prescription form of this intervention is not available in the USA. Anyone using this intervention is relying on the integrity of an alternative sourcing. Since these are classified as food supplements, the product is not regulated and is not required to contain the actual milligram equivalents on the label. This is why these products frequently have the words “may contain” instead of “contains.” Any time I counsel a patient about using a supplement to manage a condition, I emphasize this point.

If you were to actually have prescription strontium, you would need to counsel the patient about the risk of thrombosis and cardiac disease. If you were to prescribe strontium, you could sug...