Fosamax
About Fosamax
Fosamax belongs to the class of medicines called 'bisphosphonates' used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) caused by menopause or long-term steroid use. Fosamax is also indicated for the treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and treatment of Paget's disease of bone. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens and thins bones by decreasing bone density, common in post-menopausal women. As the density of bones decreases, they weaken and are more likely to break.
Fosamax containing the active substance 'Alendronic acid' (commonly called alendronate). In osteoporosis, it works by slowing down the process of old bone being removed, which allows the bone-forming cells time to rebuild normal bone. Fosamax not only helps prevent the loss of bone but actually helps to rebuild bone and makes bone less likely to fracture.
Fosamax comes as tablets and is only available on prescription. Take Fosamax without food on an empty stomach at evenly spaced intervals with one glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it. Your doctor will advise you how often you take Fosamax based on your medical condition. It has been reported that some persons experience undesirable effects of name that include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, pain upon swallowing and ulceration of the oesophagus. Most of these side effects of Fosamax do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any foods and medicines. Avoid taking Fosamax if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and consult a doctor. Fosamax is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Avoid taking Fosamax if you have hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels in the blood) and severe kidney problems. Drive only if you are alert, as Fosamax may cause dizziness. Fosamax may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in some patients. Therefore, if you experience any problems with teeth or mouth, such as loose teeth, swelling or pain, and non-healing of sores or discharge, consult your doctor and dentist, as these might be signs of osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Uses of Fosamax
Medicinal Benefits
Fosamax belongs to the class of medicines called 'bisphosphonates' used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) caused by menopause or long-term steroid use. Fosamax is also indicated for the treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and treatment of Paget's disease of bone. Fosamax containing the active substance 'Alendronic acid' (commonly called alendronate). In osteoporosis, it works by slowing down the process of old bone being removed, which allows the bone-forming cells time to rebuild normal bone. Fosamax helps prevent bone loss, helps rebuild bone, and makes bone less likely to fracture. In Paget's disease of bone, Fosamax reduces the abnormal bone turnover that this condition causes. This helps to reduce deformity and pain and makes your bones stronger and less likely to break.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Fosamax
- Heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain upon swallowing
- Ulceration of the oesophagus
- Bone, muscle and/or joint pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
Drug Warnings
Do not take Fosamax if you are allergic to any components present in Fosamax. Avoid taking Fosamax if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and consult a doctor. Fosamax is only intended for use in postmenopausal women. You should not take Fosamax if you are or think you may be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding. Fosamax is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Avoid taking Fosamax if you have hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels in the blood) and severe kidney problems. Drive only if you are alert, as Fosamax may cause dizziness. Fosamax may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in some patients. Therefore, if you experience any problems with teeth or mouth, such as loose teeth, swelling or pain, and non-healing of sores or discharge, consult your doctor and dentist, as these might be signs of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Food and beverages (including mineral water), calcium supplements, antacids, and some oral medicinal products will interfere with the absorption of alendronate. Therefore, patients must wait at least 30 minutes after taking Alendronic acid before taking any other oral medicinal product.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Fosamax may interact with medicines used to relieve pain (ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam), calcium supplements and antacids.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Fosamax may interact with disease conditions, including If you have hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels in the blood) and severe kidney problems. If you have cancer, gum disease, poor dental health, planned tooth extraction, or kidney problem.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Fosamax to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeFosamax is only intended for use in postmenopausal women. You should not take Fosamax if you are or think you may be pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeFosamax is only intended for use in postmenopausal women. You should not take Fosamax if you are breast-feeding.
Driving
cautionFosamax has no or negligible direct influence on the ability to drive and use machines. In some cases, patients may experience blurred vision, dizziness and severe bone muscle or joint pain that may influence the ability to drive and use machines.
Liver
cautionFosamax should be taken with caution and should only be advised when suggested by the doctor.
Kidney
unsafeFosamax is not recommended in patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 35 mL/min).
Children
unsafeFosamax should not be given to children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A person should consume calcium and vitamin D in their diet to make stronger bones and avoid everyday osteoporosis dangers.
- A post-menopausal woman should limit salt intake as it can pose a high risk of losing more bone minerals than other women of the same age.
- Regular exercise like weight-bearing exercises are important for maintaining bone health.
- Calcium is important for making bones strong. Vitamin D is equally important, which helps to ensure the absorption and retention of calcium in bones, so take food high in calcium and vitamins.
- Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
Special Advise
- A preventive dental check-up is required before using Fosamax as it has been reported to cause jaw osteonecrosis.
- Before taking each dose of Fosamax, a blood test is recommended to monitor kidney functioning.
- Regular intake of calcium and vitamin D may be recommended by your doctor while taking treatment with Fosamax.
- While using Fosamax, you may experience musculoskeletal pain; in this case, stop taking Fosamax and consult a doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoporosis: “Osteo” means bone, and “porosis” means something with holes in it, like a sponge. Therefore, osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become more porous, gradually making them weaker, more brittle and more likely to break.
Paget’s disease: In Paget’s disease, bone remodelling (removal of old bone and replacement with new bone material) is too quick, and new bone is formed in a disordered manner making it weaker than normal. If left untreated, the bone may become deformed, painful and break.
FAQs
Fosamax is containing the active substance “Alendronic acid” (commonly called alendronate). In osteoporosis, it works by slowing down the process of old bone being removed, which allows the bone-forming cells time to rebuild normal bone. A Fosamax helps prevent bone loss and helps rebuild bone and makes bone less likely to fracture.
“Osteo” means bone, and “porosis” means something with holes in it, like a sponge. Therefore, osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become more porous, gradually making them weaker, more brittle and likely to break.
Persons whose age is more than 35 years have low estrogen levels, females reaching menopause, too much alcohol consumption, tobacco, or caffeine, and lack of calcium and vitamin D in the foods are some of the factors that can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Fosamax 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.
Fosamax may reduce calcium levels in the blood by preventing calcium reabsorption from bones to the blood. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe calcium and vitamin D supplements, and you may be advised to take them for at least 10 days after receiving Fosamax.
You are not recommended to take Fosamax if you have hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood) as it may worsen the condition. However, the levels of calcium and vitamin D may be checked before starting treatment with Fosamax.
If a person notices serious problems in the stomach or oesophagus, they should stop taking Fosamax and report to the doctor.