Calcium monotherapy for osteoporosis

Use of calcium supplements alone, without vitamin D or disease-modifying therapy, in diagnosed osteoporosis. Monotherapy is not proven to reduce fracture risk: calcium without vitamin D failed to reduce fractures in most trials.

ICD-10 M81.91 drug

Also known as: Standalone calcium for osteoporosis

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

FCalcium carbonateNot recommended · Mineral supplements. CalciumCalcium supplementation alone, without vitamin D and disease-modifying therapy, does not reduce fracture risk in most patients with confirmed osteoporosis. International guidelines treat calcium only as a background component combined with vitamin D and mandatory disease-modifying therapy (bisphosphonates, denosumab, romosozumab). «Calcium for bones» without full assessment and disease-modifying therapy is marketing positioning.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit