Teriparatide is a parathyroid hormone analog used in osteoporosis. Which option best describes its classification?

• A. Teriparatide
• B. Denosumab
• C. Raloxifene
• D. Zoledronic acid

Answer: (A)

Teriparatide is an osteoanabolic agent—the recombinant fragment of parathyroid hormone (PTH 1-34) used to build bone in osteoporosis. When given intermittently, PTH stimulates osteoblast activity and bone formation more than bone resorption, increasing bone mass and strength to reduce fracture risk. The other drugs listed work primarily by inhibiting bone resorption or modulating estrogen signaling, not by stimulating bone formation: denosumab blocks RANKL to prevent osteoclast formation, raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator with antiresorptive effects, and zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclasts. Hence teriparatide best fits the anabolic PTH analog classification.