Fosamax Information and Uses

Fosamax

Fosamax Overview

Fosamax (generic: alendronate) is a prescription medication used to treat osteoporosis and Paget's disease in men and women. It is also used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Fosamax is in a class of medications called bisphosphonates. It works by preventing bone breakdown and increasing bone density.

Fosamax comes in tablet and liquid forms. It is usually taken daily or weekly (depending on the dose), on an empty stomach.

Some common side effects are stomach pain, heart burn, and constipation.

Uses of Fosamax

Fosamax is a prescription medicine used to:

Treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. It helps reduce the chance of having a hip or spinal fracture (break).
Increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.
Treat osteoporosis in either men or women who are taking corticosteroid medicines.
Treat certain men and women who have Paget's disease of the bone.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Fosamax

Fosamax may cause serious side effects.

See "Drug Precautions".

The most common side effects of Fosamax are:

Stomach area (abdominal) pain
Heartburn
Constipation
Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Pain in your bones, joints, or muscles
Nausea

You may get allergic reactions, such as hives or, in rare cases, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Fosamax. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Fosamax Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

antacids
aspirin
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve)

This is not a complete list of Fosamax drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Fosamax Precautions

Fosamax can cause serious side effects including:

1. Esophagus problems.

Some people who take Fosamax may develop problems in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach). These problems include irritation, inflammation, or ulcers of the esophagus which may sometimes bleed.

It is important that you take Fosamax exactly as prescribed to help lower your chance of getting esophagus problems.
Stop taking Fosamax and call your doctor right away if you get chest pain, new or worsening heartburn, or have trouble or pain when you swallow.

2. Low calcium levels in your blood (hypocalcemia).

Fosamax may lower the calcium levels in your blood. If you have low blood calcium before you start taking Fosamax, it may get worse during treatment. Your low blood calcium must be treated before you take Fosamax. Most people with low blood calcium levels do not have symptoms, but some people may have symptoms. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood calcium such as:

Spasms, twitches, or cramps in your muscles
Numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth

Your doctor may prescribe calcium and vitamin D to help prevent low calcium levels in your blood, while you take Fosamax. Take calcium and vitamin D as your doctor tells you to.

3. Bone, joint, or muscle pain.

Some people who take Fosamax develop severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.

4. Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis).

Severe jaw bone problems may happen when you take Fosamax. Your doctor should examine your mouth before you start Fosamax. Your doctor may tell you to see your dentist before you start Fosamax. It is important for you to practice good mouth care during treatment with Fosamax.

5. Unusual thigh bone fractures.

Some people have developed unusual fractures in their thigh bone. Symptoms of a fracture may include new or unusual pain in your hip, groin, or thigh.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects.

Do not take Fosamax (tablets or oral solution) if you:

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.

Fosamax Food Interactions

Always take Fosamax on an empty stomach.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Fosamax there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Fosamax.

Inform MD

Before you start Fosamax, be sure to talk to your doctor if you:

Have problems with swallowing
Have stomach or digestive problems
Have low blood calcium
Plan to have dental surgery or teeth removed
Have kidney problems
Have been told you have trouble absorbing minerals in your stomach or intestines (malabsorption syndrome)
Are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Fosamax can harm your unborn baby.
Are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if Fosamax passes into your milk and may harm your baby.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

antacids
aspirin
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) medicines

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Certain medicines may affect how Fosamax works.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.

Fosamax and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Fosamax will harm your unborn baby.

Fosamax and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Fosamax is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Fosamax Usage

Take Fosamax exactly as your doctor tells you.
Fosamax works only if taken on an empty stomach.
Take Fosamax, 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.
Do not chew or suck on a tablet of Fosamax.
Swallow Fosamax tablet with a full glass (6-8 oz) of plain water only.
Do not take Fosamax with mineral water, coffee, tea, soda, or juice.
- If you take Fosamax Daily:
  - Take 1 Fosamax tablet one time a day, every day after you get up for the day and before taking your first food, drink, or other medicine.
- If you 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.
- If you take Fosamax Oral Solution:
  - Drink your prescribed dose of Fosamax Oral Solution every week on your chosen day after you get up for the day and before taking your first food, drink or other medicine. Drink at least 2 ounces of plain water after you drink Fosamax Oral Solution.

After swallowing Fosamax tablet or oral solution, 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 for at least 30 minutes after you take Fosamax and after you eat your first food of the day.

If you miss a dose of Fosamax, do not take it later in the day. Take your missed dose on the next morning after you remember and then return to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses on the same day.

If you take too much Fosamax, call your doctor. Do not try to vomit. Do not lie down.

Fosamax Dosage

Take Fosamax exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The recommended once-daily dose ranges from 5 mg to 10 mg. The recommended once-weekly dose ranges from 35 mg to 70 mg. Because Fosamax may be used in the treatment of several conditions, your doctor will determine the best dose for you.

Fosamax Overdose

If you take too much Fosamax, call your doctor. Do not try to vomit. Do not lie down.

Forms of Fosamax

Fosamax tablets are available in the following strengths:

5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, and 70 mg.

Fosamax is available in a 70 mg oral solution.

Tablets:

Active ingredient: alendronate sodium

Inactive ingredients: cellulose, lactose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate.

In addition the 10 mg tablet also contains carnauba wax.

Oral Solution:

Active ingredient: alendronate monosodium salt trihydrate

Inactive ingredients: sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid anhydrous, sodium saccharin, artificial raspberry flavor, water, sodium propylparaben 0.0225%, sodium butylparaben 0.0075%.