Alendronate Sodium
About
Alendronate Sodium is indicated for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in adults and helps to strengthen bones. This medicine also helps to reduce the risk of spine and hip fractures. Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which bone becomes thin or weak.
Alendronate Sodium contains 'Alendronate sodium' that comes in the category of drugs known as 'bisphosphonates” that prevents bone breakdown by slowing bone loss. This helps in keeping the bones strong and increases the thickness of bone, and reduces the risk of broken bones (fractures). It also helps in rebuilding bones which reduces the risk of spine and hip fractures.
Your doctor will advise you how often you take Alendronate Sodium based on your medical condition. It has been reported that some persons experience undesirable effects of name that include stomach pain, constipation, nausea, gas, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects of Alendronate Sodium do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
The use of Alendronate Sodium is restricted in persons who are allergic to any constituent of medication or have problems with oesophagus or low levels of calcium in the blood. This medicine should not be taken by a person who cannot sit upright stand for at least half an hour after taking this medicine. This medication can increase the risk of jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis), which is high in persons with pre-existing dental problems or people treated with steroids, cancer, blood cell disorders, or radiation. So, consult with the doctor about the risks associated with Alendronate Sodium. This medicine is only a part of a complete program of treatment that includes bone mineral density testing, diet changes, exercise, and taking calcium and vitamin supplements, so follow all the directions given by the doctor.
Uses of Alendronate Sodium
Medicinal Benefits
Alendronate Sodium comes into the category of bisphosphonates that is prescribed to prevent and treat osteoporosis in persons with weak bones. It prevents the loss of bones that happens after menopause and helps to rebuild bones. Alendronate Sodium contains Alendronate sodium which helps to maintain strong bones and reduces the chances of broken bones (fractures). It also increases the thickness of bone and rebuilds bones which reduces the risk of spine and hip fractures. Alendronate Sodium is also indicated for the treatment of increasing bone mass in people with osteoporosis, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Alendronate Sodium
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Gas
- Diarrhoea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Alendronate Sodium can increase the risk of jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis), especially in people who are being treated with steroids, chemotherapy, radiation, cancer, blood cell disorders, and pre-existing dental problems. Let your doctor know if you ever had problems with the oesophagus, low blood calcium levels, trouble swallowing, problems with your stomach or digestion, hypocalcaemia, a dental problem (you may need a dental exam before you begin taking alendronate), kidney disease; or any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption) before taking this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult with their doctor before taking Alendronate Sodium.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Alendronate Sodium may interact with calcium supplements/antacids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, naproxen, diclofenac).
Drug-Food Interactions: Foods like mineral water, coffee, tea, or juice may decrease the absorption of Alendronate Sodium.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have aspiration, ONJ (Osteonecrosis of the jaw), hypocalcaemia, upper GI mucosal irritation, cardiovascular disease, renal dysfunction and asthma before starting Alendronate Sodium.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeA person should limit the consumption of alcohol as it can increase the risk of stomach side effects from Alendronate Sodium. Talk to the doctor they will check the stomach problems.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is unknown that Alendronate Sodium may harm the baby or not so tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant. And should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt isn’t known if Alendronate Sodium passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child.
Driving
safe if prescribedAlendronate Sodium does not influence a person's ability to drive so one can drive safely.
Liver
cautionAlendronate Sodium should be taken with caution and should only be suggested by the doctor.
Kidney
cautionTell your doctor if you have kidney disorders as after checking the health condition, doctor will decide that this medicine is safe to prescribe or not.
Children
unsafeAlendronate Sodium should not be given to children or adolescents whose age is less than 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese or milk-based custard in your diet.
- Eat daily a serving of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, spinach and other green leafy vegetables.
- Include the best dietary sources of vitamin D, such as fish liver oils and vitamin D–fortified milk.
- Snack on calcium-rich nuts like Brazil nuts or almonds.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables and salads. Sesame seeds are high in calcium.
- Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
- Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.
Special Advise
- Certain diagnostic tests like bone density scans should be done regularly to check bone mineral density (BMD) while using Alendronate Sodium.
- Intake of Alendronate Sodium can cause false test result of bone imaging, so if you are taking Alendronate Sodium, let your doctor know before any bone test.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoporosis: It is a medical condition that causes thinning and weakening of the bones. The chance of developing osteoporosis increases with age, after menopause, or by taking corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) for a long period of time. If proper treatment is not provided, then it can even result in broken bones. In starting days, osteoporosis does not show any symptoms. In Osteoporosis, bones can break at any time, even during daily activities like lifting or even from minor activities. Fractures usually occur at the hip, spine, or wrist, which can even lead to stooped posture (‘dowager’s hump’) and loss of movement.
FAQs
Alendronate Sodium contains 'Alendronate sodium' that comes in the category of drugs known as 'bisphosphonates” that prevents bone breakdown by slowing the bone loss. This helps in keeping the bones strong and increases the thickness of bone and reduces the risk of broken bones (fractures). It also helps in rebuilding bones which reduces the risk of spine and hip fractures.
A person who is allergic to any component present in Alendronate Sodium or has a problem with the esophagus or low levels of calcium in the blood should not take this medicine.
It has been seen that Alendronate Sodium increases the risk of jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis) especially in persons with pre-existing dental problems, or people treated with steroids, cancer, blood cell disorders, chemotherapy, or radiation.
A person should take extra care of their dental hygiene while using Alendronate Sodium, and if they are going for any dental work (especially surgery), they should tell the dentist ahead of time that they are taking this medicine.
Persons whose age is more than 35 years have low estrogen levels, female reaching menopause, too much consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine, use of glucocorticoid and lack of calcium and vitamin D in the foods are some of the factors that can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
If a person notices serious problems in the stomach or esophagus then they should stop taking this medicine and report to the doctor at once.
Alendronate Sodium is a part of a complete program that includes modifications in diet, regular exercise, bone mineral density testing, and intake of calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow all the guidelines given by the doctor very closely.
A person should limit or quit smoking as it can reduce the bone mineral density, and increases the risks of fractures.
