Fosamax

• Have certain problems with your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach
• Cannot stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
• Have low levels of calcium in your blood
• Are allergic to FOSAMAX or any of its ingredients.
• Do not take FOSAMAX oral solution if you have trouble swallowing liquids.

How should I take once weekly FOSAMAX?

• Choose the day of the week that best fits your schedule.
• Take 1 dose of FOSAMAX every week on your chosen day after you get up for the day and before taking your first food, drink, or other medicine
• Take FOSAMAX while you are sitting or standing.

• TABLETS: Swallow one tablet with a full glass (6-8 oz) of plain water.
• ORAL SOLUTION: Drink one entire bottle of solution followed by at least 2 ounces (a quarter of a cup) of plain water.

• Mineral water
• Coffee or tea
• Juice

• Do not chew or suck on a tablet of FOSAMAX.
• After taking your FOSAMAX, wait at least 30 minutes:
• before you lie down. You may sit, stand or walk, and do normal activities like reading.
• before you take your first food or drink except for plain water.
• before you take other medicines, including antacids, calcium, and other supplements and vitamins.
• Do not lie down until after your first food of the day.
• It is important that you keep taking FOSAMAX for as long as your doctor says to take it. For FOSAMAX to continue to work, you need to keep taking it.

• If you miss a dose, take only 1 dose of FOSAMAX on the morning after you remember. Do not take 2 doses on the same day. Continue your usual schedule of 1 dose once a week on your chosen day.
• If you think you took more than the prescribed dose of FOSAMAX, drink a full glass of milk and call your doctor right away. Do not try to vomit. Do not lie down.

What should I avoid while taking FOSAMAX?

• Do not eat, drink, or take other medicines or supplements before taking FOSAMAX.
• Wait for at least 30 minutes after taking FOSAMAX to eat, drink, or take other medicines or supplements.
• Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking FOSAMAX. Do not lie down until after your first food of the day.

FOSAMAX may cause problems in your esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and stomach).  These problems include irritation, inflammation, or ulcers of the esophagus, which may sometimes bleed. This may occur especially if you do not drink a full glass of water with FOSAMAX or if you lie down in less than 30 minutes or before your first food of the day.

• Stop taking FOSAMAX and call your doctor right away if you get any of these signs of possible serious problems of the esophagus:
  • Chest pain
  • New or worsening heartburn
  • Trouble or pain when swallowing
• Esophagus problems may get worse if you continue to take FOSAMAX.
• Mouth sores (ulcers) may occur if the FOSAMAX tablet is chewed or dissolved in the mouth.
• You may get flu-like symptoms, typically at the start of treatment with FOSAMAX.
• You may get allergic reactions, such as hives or, in rare cases, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• FOSAMAX may cause jaw-bone problems in some people. Jaw-bone problems may include infection, and delayed healing after teeth are pulled.
• The most common side effect is stomach area (abdominal) pain. Less common side effects are nausea, vomiting, a full or bloated feeling in the stomach, constipation, diarrhea, black or bloody stools (bowel movements), gas, eye pain, rash that may be made worse by sunlight, hair loss, headache, dizziness, a changed sense of taste, joint swelling or swelling in the hands or legs, and bone, muscle, or joint pain.