Ask Dr. Marks: 08/04

I’ve heard that certain medications can lead to osteoporosis. Which ones are they? At what point, or under what circumstances, should someone have a bone density test?

Fortunately, very few arthritis medications cause osteoporosis. Two that can cause osteoporosis, however, are corticosteroids and methotrexate, medications that are frequently used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. When used in the low doses that are commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate will not cause osteoporosis. It is…