Alendronate

From PharmDatabase.org

Generic name: Alendronate
Brand names: Fosamax
Related Medical Conditions: Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, Paget's disease, Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis
Related Groups: Bisphosphonate

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Alendronate Articles

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Contents 1 What is Alendronate? 2 Alendronate Usage and Dosage 3 Alendronate Side Effects 4 Other Drugs Interaction 5 Alendronate Storage 6 Articles

What is Alendronate?

Alendronate is in the group of medicines called bisphosphonates (bis FOS fo nayts). It alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body. Alendronate slows bone loss while increasing bone mass, which may prevent bone fractures. Alendronate is used to treat or prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis and steroid-induced osteoporosis. Alendronate is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone.

Alendronate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Alendronate Usage and Dosage

Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet. Your doctor may recommend that you eat a balanced diet with an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D (found in milk or other dairy products).

Take alendronate with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of plain water on an empty stomach. It should be taken in the morning at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. Food and beverages, such as mineral water, coffee, tea, or juice, will decrease the amount of alendronate absorbed by the body. Waiting longer than 30 minutes will allow more of the drug to be absorbed. Medicines such as antacids or calcium or vitamin supplements will also decrease the absorption of alendronate.

Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking alendronate . This will help alendronate reach your stomach faster. It will also help prevent irritation to your esophagus.

Your doctor may recommend that you eat a balanced diet with an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D (found in milk or other dairy products). However, do not take any food, beverages, or calcium or vitamin supplements within 30 minutes of taking alendronate. To do so may keep this medicine from working properly.Waiting longer than 30 minutes will allow more of the drug to be absorbed.

The dose of alendronate will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of alendronate. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For treatment of Paget's disease of bone:
  • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning, taken at least thirty minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication. You should take alendronate with six to eight ounces of plain water. Your treatment may continue for six months. Your doctor may repeat the treatment.
  • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For treatment of osteoporosis in men (thinning of bone):
  • Adults—10 mg once a day in the morning, taken at least thirty minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication. You should take alendronate with six to eight ounces of plain water.
• For treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (thinning of bone):
  • Adults—10 mg once a day in the morning or 70 mg once a week, taken at least thirty minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication. You should take alendronate with six to eight ounces of plain water.
• For prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis (thinning of bone):
  • Adults—5 mg once a day in the morning or 35 mg once a week, taken at least thirty minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication. You should take alendronate with six to eight ounces of plain water.
• For treatment of osteoporosis (thinning of bone) caused by glucocorticoid treatment:
  • Adults—5 mg once a day in the morning, taken at least thirty minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication. In postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen, the dose is 10 mg once a day in the morning, taken at least thirty minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication. You should take alendronate with six to eight ounces of plain water.

If you take alendronate tablets once daily: If you forget to take this medicine first thing in the morning, do not take it later in the day. Wait until the following morning to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take take two (2) tablets in one day.

If you take alendronate tablets once a week: If you forget to take alendronate on your scheduled day, take it first thing in the morning on the day after you remember the missed dose. Then return to your regular weekly schedule on your chosen dose day. Do not take take two (2) tablets in one day.

Alendronate Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Abdominal pain
• Less common
  • Difficulty in swallowing; heartburn ; irritation or pain of the esophagus; muscle pain
• Rare
  • Skin rash

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• Less common
  • Constipation; diarrhea; full or bloated feeling; gas; headache; nausea

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Other Drugs Interaction

Antacids, supplements, or medicines that contain aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or other minerals can interfere with how your body absorbs alendronate. If you use these other medicines, do not that take them for at least 30 minutes after taking an alendronate tablet.

Before using alendronate, tell your doctor if you also use aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), indomethacin, ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

There may be other drugs that can affect alendronate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Alendronate Storage

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

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