Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol
About
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol is a combination medicine used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol helps in increasing bone mass and lowers the incidence of hip or spine fractures. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens and thins the bones by decreasing bone density.
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol contains Alendronate sodium and cholecalciferol. Alendronate sodium alters bone formation and prevents the breakdown of bones. It helps in increasing bone mass and lowers the incidence of hip or spine fractures. Cholecalciferol helps in the absorption of calcium and the maintenance of healthy bones. Together, Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol helps in preventing osteoporosis.
You are advised to take Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may cause common side-effects such as bone/joint/muscle pain, joint swelling, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, flatulence, headache, and tiredness. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Do not take Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol is intended for use in post-menopausal women. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol should not be given to children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol with Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol as it could lead to increased dizziness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects.
Uses of Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol
Medicinal Benefits
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol contains Alendronate sodium and cholecalciferol. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol helps in increasing bone mass and lowers the incidence of hip or spine fractures. Alendronate sodium belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates. It helps bone formation and prevents the breakdown of bones. Cholecalciferol helps in the absorption of calcium and the maintenance of healthy bones. Together, Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol helps in preventing osteoporosis.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol
- Bone, joint and/or muscle pain
- Joint swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Headache
- Tiredness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you have problems with the gullet, if you cannot stand/sit upright for 30 minutes, or if you have low blood calcium. Inform your doctor if you have or had problems with swallowing, digestive problems, malabsorption syndrome, Barrett's syndrome (a condition associated with changes in cells that line the oesophagus), poor dental health, due to have a tooth extraction, are undergoing chemotherapy/radiotherapy, if you are taking corticosteroids or if you are smoking. Do not take Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol is intended for use in post-menopausal women. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol should not be given to children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol with Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol as it could lead to increased dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may interact with a pain killer (aspirin), calcium supplement (calcium), or vitamin (ergocalciferol).
Drug-Food Interactions: Maintain a gap of 30 minutes between Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol and food/beverages.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have an arrhythmia, asthma, hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, upper GI mucosal irritation, or electrolyte imbalance.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol as it may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeDo not take Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol is intended for use in post-menopausal women only.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDo not take Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol if you are breastfeeding. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol is intended for use in post-menopausal women only.
Driving
cautionAlendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may cause dizziness, blurred vision, and bone/joint pain. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionLimited information is available regarding the usage of Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionLimited information is available regarding the usage of Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeAlendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol is not recommended for children below 18 years as efficacy and safety have not been established.
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 (Chinese white cabbage), spinach, and other green leafy vegetables.
- Snack on calcium-rich nuts like Brazil nuts or almonds.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables, and salads. Sesame seeds are rich in calcium.
- Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol as they may inhibit calcium absorption.
- Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise you to undergo a dental check-up before starting treatment with Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol.
- Regular bone mineral density tests are advised to know the working of Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol.
- Inform your doctor before taking Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol if you are due to undergo tooth extraction.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoporosis: It is a bone disease that weakens and thins the bones by decreasing bone density. As the density of bones decreases, they weaken and are more likely to break. Post-menopausal women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men because, at menopause, women's ovaries stop producing oestrogen (a female hormone) that is essential to keep bones healthy. Following menopause, bone loss occurs, making bones weak and more likely to break. Signs and symptoms include back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, a stooped posture, a bone that breaks much more easily than expected.
FAQs
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol contains Alendronate sodium and cholecalciferol. Alendronate sodium alters bone formation and prevents the breakdown of bones. It helps increase bone mass and lowers the incidence of hip or spine fractures. Cholecalciferol helps in the absorption of calcium and the maintenance of healthy bones. Together, Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol helps in preventing osteoporosis.
Avoid smoking as it might increase the rate of bone loss and, therefore, may increase the rate of broken bones.
Avoid lying down and stay fully upright for at least 30 minutes after taking Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol. Do not lie down until you have had the first food of the day.
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may cause pain upon swallowing. Stop taking Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol and consult your doctor if you experience pain upon swallowing, difficulty swallowing, new/worsening heartburn, or chest pain.
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol can be taken with antacid medicines if prescribed by the doctor. However, maintain a gap of 30minutes between Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol and antacid medicines, vitamins and calcium supplements.
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol can be taken for longer durations if prescribed by the doctor. Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol should be taken for 3-5years to treat osteoporosis. Regular bone mineral density tests are advised to know the working of Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol.
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may cause osteonecrosis (bone damage) of the jaw. Therefore, to prevent such condition, maintain good oral hygiene and have regular dental check-ups while taking Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol. Also, if you wear dentures, make sure they fit properly. However, if you experience any problems with teeth, such as loose teeth, swelling or pain, non-healing of sores or discharge, consult your dentist as these might be signs of osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol may rarely cause unusual fractures of the thigh bone, especially in patients taking Alendronate Sodium+cholecalciferol for a prolonged duration. However, if you experience weakness, pain or discomfort in the thigh, groin or hip, please consult a doctor, as these might be early signs of a possible thigh bone fracture.
