Paget's Disease of Bone Medication Savings with TheDrugClub
Discount pricing may be available. Current formulary eligibility is being verified; a condition association does not establish FREE coverage.
- Join TheDrugClub as a member
- Receive your member card by email
- Present your card at a participating pharmacy
- Check active-formulary eligibility or available discount pricing
About Paget's Disease of Bone
Paget's Disease of Bone is a chronic disorder that disrupts the body's normal bone remodeling process. Normally, old bone tissue is broken down and replaced with new bone. In Paget's disease, this process becomes overactive, leading to new bone that is abnormally formed, weaker, and often enlarged. This can result in bones that are fragile and prone to fractures, as well as pain, deformities, and other complications.
While the exact cause is unknown, genetics and environmental factors are thought to play a role. The disease most commonly affects the pelvis, spine, skull, and long bones of the legs and arms. Many individuals with Paget's disease experience no symptoms, and the condition is often discovered incidentally during X-rays or blood tests for other conditions. When symptoms do occur, they can include bone pain, joint pain, headaches, hearing loss (if the skull is affected), bowed legs, or an enlarged head.
Common Treatments and Medications
Treatment for Paget's disease primarily focuses on controlling symptoms, preventing complications, and normalizing bone turnover. The most common medications are bisphosphonates, which help to slow down the excessive bone remodeling. These can be administered orally (e.g., alendronate, risedronate) or intravenously (e.g., zoledronic acid, pamidronate). Calcitonin is another medication sometimes used, particularly for those who can't tolerate bisphosphonates. Pain management, often with over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs or acetaminophen, is also crucial. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct severe bone deformities, repair fractures, or replace damaged joints.
How TheDrugClub Helps You Save
Prescription medications for Paget's Disease, especially intravenous bisphosphonates, can be very expensive, even with insurance. This is where TheDrugClub steps in. For a low monthly membership fee – with a Drug Club membership – you gain access to significantly discounted prices on thousands of prescription drugs, including those used to treat Paget's Disease. Our program is not insurance, but
The information above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.
MedlinePlus overview of Paget's Disease of Bone
What is Paget's disease of bone?
Paget's disease of bone is a chronic bone disorder. Normally, there is a process in which your bones break down and then regrow. In Paget's disease, this process is abnormal. There is excessive breakdown and regrowth of bone. Because the bones regrow too quickly, they are bigger and softer than normal. They may be misshapen and easily fractured (broken). Paget's usually affects just one or a few bones.
What causes Paget's disease of bone?
Researchers do not know for sure what causes Paget's disease. Environmental factors may play a role. In some cases, the disease runs in families, and several genes have been linked to the disease.
Who is at risk for Paget's disease of bone?
The disease is more common in older people and those of northern European heritage. If you have a close relative who has Paget's, you are much more likely to have it.
What are the symptoms of Paget's disease of bone?
Many people do not know that they have Paget's, because it often has no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they are similar to those of arthritis and other disorders. The symptoms include:
Pain, which may be due to the disease or to arthritis, which can be a complication of Paget's
Headaches and hearing loss, which can happen when Paget's disease affects the skull
Pressure on the nerves, which can happen when Paget's disease affects the skull or spine
Increased head size, bowing of a limb, or curvature of the spine. This can happen in advanced cases.
Hip pain, if Paget's disease affects the pelvis or thighbone
Damage to the cartilage of your joints, which may lead to arthritis
Usually, Paget's disease gets worse slowly over time. It does not spread to normal bones.
What other problems can Paget's disease of bone cause?
Paget's disease can lead to other complications, such as:
Arthritis, because the misshapen bones can cause increased pressure and more wear and tear on the joints
Heart failure. In severe Paget's disease, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to affected bones. Heart failure is more likely if you also have hardening of the arteries.
Kidney stones, which can happen when the excessive breakdown of the bone leads to extra calcium in the body
Nervous system problems, since the bones can cause pressure on the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. There may also be reduced blood flow to the brain and spinal cord.
Osteosarcoma, cancer of the bone
Loose teeth, if Paget's disease affects the facial bones
Vision loss, if Paget's disease in the skull affects the nerves. This is rare.
How is Paget's disease of bone diagnosed?
Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis:
A medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms
A physical exam
An x-ray of the affected bones. Paget's disease is almost always diagnosed using x-rays.
An alkaline phosphatase blood test
A bone scan
Sometimes the disease is found by accident when one of these tests is done for another reason.
What are the treatments for Paget's disease of bone?
To avoid complications, it is important to find and treat Paget's disease early. The treatments include:
Medicines. There are several different medicines to treat Paget's disease. The most common type is bisphosphonates. They help reduce bone pain and stop or slow down the progress of the disease.
Surgery is sometimes needed for certain complications of the disease. There are surgeries to Allow fractures (broken bones) to heal in a better position
Replace joints such as the knee and hip when there is severe arthritis
Realign a deformed bone to reduce the pain in weight-bearing joints, especially the knees
Reduce pressure on a nerve, if enlargement of the skull or spine injuries effects the nervous system
Diet and exercise do not treat Paget's, but they can help to keep your skeleton healthy. If you do not have kidney stones, you should make sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D through your diet and supplements. Besides keeping your skeleton healthy, exercise can prevent weight gain and maintain the mobility of your joints. Talk with your health care provider before you start a new exercise program. You need to make sure that the exercise does not put too much stress on the affected bones.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus topic page. Topic date: 03/28/2002. MedlinePlus file date: 10/15/2026 02:30:37.
This information is educational and is not medical advice.