Peptide Science Desk

Peptides for osteoporosis and bone density: what works?

2 peptide drugs are FDA approved

Forteo (teriparatide) and Tymlos (abaloparatide) are prescription peptide shots for osteoporosis.

By the Peptide Science Desk Editorial TeamFact-checked against FDA and official sources · Not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. How we check facts

Short answer: Yes. Two peptide drugs are FDA approved for osteoporosis: Forteo (teriparatide) and Tymlos (abaloparatide). Their labels say they lower the risk of broken bones in women after menopause with osteoporosis. They are for people at high risk of breaking a bone, and the labels limit use to about 2 years in a lifetime. BPC-157 and other online peptides are not approved for bones.
Aerial view of the large brick NIH Clinical Center hospital buildings in Bethesda
The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, a research hospital where many clinical trials take place.Photo: National Institutes of Health, public domain

What is osteoporosis?

  • The NIH says osteoporosis is a bone disease. Bones get thinner and weaker, so they break more easily.
  • It is called "silent" because you usually do not feel it until a bone breaks.
  • Breaks happen most in the hip, spine and wrist. A fall from standing height, or even a cough, can break a weak bone.
  • Women after menopause and older men are at highest risk. Some steroid medicines can also raise the risk.

Are there peptides for osteoporosis?

  • Yes. Forteo (teriparatide) and Tymlos (abaloparatide) are FDA-approved peptide shots. You need a prescription.
  • Forteo is a piece of parathyroid hormone. Tymlos is like a related body signal called PTHrP. Both help build bone.
  • Both labels say they lower the risk of spine and other broken bones in women after menopause with osteoporosis.
  • We rate FDA status, proof and safety on their own. For these 2 drugs, all 3 are backed by FDA-reviewed trials.

Who can get Forteo or Tymlos?

  • The labels say they are for people with osteoporosis who are at high risk of breaking a bone, or when other osteoporosis drugs did not work or could not be used.
  • Forteo is also approved for men, and for bone loss from long-term steroid pills.
  • Tymlos is approved for women after menopause, and to build bone in men.

How long can you take teriparatide or abaloparatide?

  • The Tymlos label says using it for more than 2 years in a lifetime is not advised.
  • The Forteo label says using it for more than 2 years in a lifetime should only be thought about if you still have, or again have, a high risk of breaking a bone.
  • Your doctor plans what comes after. Ask about it before you start.

What are the side effects?

  • Forteo: the label lists joint pain, pain and feeling sick as most common. You may feel dizzy or your heart may race when you stand up.
  • Tymlos: the label lists extra calcium in the urine, dizziness, feeling sick, headache, a racing heart, tiredness and upper belly pain.
  • Both labels talk about a bone cancer called osteosarcoma that showed up in rats. The Forteo label says studies in people have not shown a higher risk, but data past 2 years are limited.
  • Forteo can raise blood calcium. If you take the heart drug digoxin, tell your doctor.

Does BPC-157 help bone healing or density?

  • We found no study in people. BPC-157 bone studies are in animals.
  • BPC-157 is not FDA approved. A 2026 review found only 30 people in all human studies, none about bones.

Do collagen peptides help bone density?

  • Maybe a little, but proof is thin. In one 2018 study of 131 women after menopause, a collagen peptide drink for 1 year raised bone density a small amount vs placebo.
  • A collagen research company helped run that study, and it did not count broken bones.
  • Collagen is a supplement. The FDA does not approve supplements before they are sold.

What else helps bones?

  • The NIH lists good food with calcium, vitamin D and protein, weight-bearing exercise like walking, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and steps to prevent falls.
  • Many other osteoporosis medicines exist that are not peptides. Your doctor can explain which fits you.
  • A bone density scan shows how strong your bones are. Ask your doctor if you need one.

The numbers in charts

New spine fractures on bone-building shots

% of women with weak bones who got a new spine fracture, drug vs placebo

Different trials, different people: not a head-to-head comparison. Lower is better.

Show the numbers as a table
New spine fractures on bone-building shots: % of women with weak bones who got a new spine fracture, drug vs placebo
TrialDrugPlacebo
Teriparatide 20 µg (Forteo)
1,637 women · about 21 months		5%14%
Abaloparatide (Tymlos)
ACTIVE · 1,401 women in this count · 18 months		0.6%4.2%
Teriparatide numbers are from the trial paper. Abaloparatide numbers are from the Tymlos FDA label (Table 3: 690 women on the drug vs 711 on placebo). Both trials were paid for by the drug makers. Sources: Neer et al., NEJM 2001 (PMID 11346808); Tymlos FDA label, section 14, Table 3 (DailyMed); Miller et al., JAMA 2016 (ACTIVE) (PMID 27533157).

High blood calcium on bone-building shots

% of women with high blood calcium in the ACTIVE trial (2,463 women)

Both drugs were in the same trial, so this one is a fair side-by-side look.

Show the numbers as a table
High blood calcium on bone-building shots: % of women with high blood calcium in the ACTIVE trial (2,463 women)
DrugHigh calcium
Abaloparatide (Tymlos)3.4%
Teriparatide (Forteo)6.4%
Paid for by Radius Health, which makes abaloparatide. Sources: Miller et al., JAMA 2016 (ACTIVE) (PMID 27533157).

Collagen peptides and bone strength

Change in bone T-score after 12 months (higher is better)

One small study. A small change in T-score. It did not test fractures.

Show the numbers as a table
Collagen peptides and bone strength: Change in bone T-score after 12 months (higher is better)
Spot measuredCollagen peptide (5 g a day)Placebo
Spine+0.10−0.03
Top of the thigh bone (femoral neck)+0.09−0.01
131 women past menopause were picked at random; 102 finished. The striped bars are gains. The authors said they had no conflicts. Sources: König et al., Nutrients 2018 (PMID 29337906).

More charts: Peptides by the numbers

Peptides for bones: what is approved

FDA statusProof in people
Forteo (teriparatide)FDA approved for osteoporosisLowers broken bones in trials (label)
Tymlos (abaloparatide)FDA approved for osteoporosisLowers broken bones in trials (label)
Collagen peptidesSupplement, not reviewed before sale1 small trial: small bone density rise
BPC-157Not FDA approvedNo bone studies in people
Check any peptide in 1 secondFree FDA Status Checker: approved, being tested, or not proven.

FAQ

Is teriparatide a peptide?

Yes. It is a chain of 34 amino acids, the first part of parathyroid hormone.

Is there a generic Forteo?

Teriparatide is sold under more than one name. Ask your pharmacist which versions your plan covers.

Can men use Tymlos?

Yes. Its label includes building bone in men with osteoporosis at high risk of breaking a bone.

Do GLP-1 drugs affect bones?

Weight loss can affect bone. Ask your doctor about bone health if you lose a lot of weight.

Are bone peptides safe for teens?

Forteo and Tymlos labels are for adults. Teens should not use peptides for bones unless a doctor prescribes them.

Related pages

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Sources

Not medical advice. Medical disclaimer.