Fosamax
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This leaflet is designed to provide you with answers to s Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine even if you have just refilled your prescription. Some of the information in the previous leaflet may have changed. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medicine only for you. Never give it to anyone else.
How should I take Fosamax?
These are the important things you must do to help make sure you will benefit from Fosamax:
1. After getting up for the day, swallow your Fosamax tablet with a full glass of plain water only. Not mineral water Not coffee or tea Not juice
After swallowing your Fosamax tablet do not lie down - stay fully upright (sitting or standing) for at least 30 minutes and until after your first food of the day. Do not chew or suck on a tablet of Fosamax.
Do not take Fosamax at bedtime or before getting up for the day. The above actions will help the Fosamax tablet reach your stomach quickly and help reduce the potential for irritation of your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach).
After swallowing your Fosamax tablet, wait at least 30 minutes before taking our first food, beverage, or other medication of the day, including antacids, calcium supplements and vitamins.
Fosamax is effective only if taken when your stomach is empty.
If you develop difficulty or pain upon swallowing, chest pain, or new or worsening heartburn, stop taking Fosamax and call your doctor.
Take one Fosamax tablet once a day, every day.
It is important that you continue taking Fosamax for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Fosamax can treat your osteoporosis only if you continue to take it.
You should always tell your doctor about all drugs you are taking or plan to take, including those obtained without a prescription.
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What is Fosamax?
Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is a white to off-white, oval tablet that contains 10 mg alendronate as the active ingredient.
Fosamax is a member of a class of non-hormonal drugs called bisphosphonates. Fosamax prevents the loss of bone that occurs in postmenopausal women. Fosamax also helps to rebuild bone and makes bone less likely to fracture.
Why has my doctor prescribed Fosamax?
Your doctor has prescribed Fosamax to treat a disease you have, known as osteoporosis. This will help prevent you from developing fractures.
How is normal bone maintained?
Bone undergoes a normal process of rebuilding that occurs continuously throughout our skeleton. First, old bone is removed (resorbed), and then new bone is laid down (formed). This balanced process of resorbing and forming bone keeps your skeleton healthy and strong.
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What is osteoporosis and why should it be?
Osteoporosis is a thinning and weakening of the bones. It is common in women after menopause. The menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing the female hormone, estrogen, or are removed (which may occur, for example, at the time of a hysterectomy). After the menopause, bone is removed faster than it is formed, so bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of osteoporosis. Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms. If left untreated, however, it can result in fractures (broken bones). Although fractures usually cause pain, fractures of the bones of the spine may go unnoticed until they cause height loss. Fractures may occur during normal, everyday activity, such as lifting, or from minor injury that would not ordinarily fracture normal bone.
Fractures usually occur at the hip, spine, or wrist and can lead not only to pain, but also to considerable deformity and disability (such as stooped posture from curvature of the spine, and loss of mobility).
How can osteoporosis be treated?
Your doctor has prescribed Fosamax to treat your osteoporosis. Fosamax not only prevents the loss of bone but actually helps to rebuild bone you may have lost and makes bone less likely to fracture. Thus, Fosamax reverses the progression of osteoporosis.
In addition, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following lifestyle changes:
Stop smoking
Smoking appears to increase the rate at which you lose
Bone and, therefore, may increase your risk of fracture.
Exercise
Like muscles, bones need exercise to stay strong and healthy. Consult your doctor before you begin any exercise program.
Eat a balanced diet your doctor can advise you whether to modify your diet or to take any dietary supplements.
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Why is it important to continue to take Fosamax?
It is important to take Fosamax over the long term to continue to prevent loss of bone and to help rebuild bone you may have lost. It is, therefore, important to follow your doctor's instructions for taking Fosamax without skipping doses or varying from your prescribed treatment schedule.
What should I know before taking Fosamax? Who should not take Fosamax?
Do not take Fosamax if you:
Have certain disorders of the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach) Are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes Are allergic to any of its ingredients Your doctor has told you that you currently have low blood calcium
What should I tell my doctor or pharmacist before taking Fosamax?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medical problems you have or have had, including known kidney disease, and about any allergies. If you have any swallowing digestive problems, discuss them with your doctor before taking Fosamax
Use in pregnancy and breast feeding
Do not take Fosamax if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Use in children Fosamax is not indicated for children and should not be given to them.
Use In elderly Fosamax works equally well in and is equally well tolerated by patients older and younger than 65 years of age.
Can take Fosamax with other medicines?
See "How should I take Fosamax?"
Can drive or operate machinery while using Fosamax
Fosamax should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
What should I do in case of an overdose?
If you take too many tablets, drink a full glass of milk and contact your doctor immediately. Do not induce vomiting. Do not lie down.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take Fosamax once daily as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose, do not take an extra dose. Just resume your usual schedule of one tablet once a day.
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What undesirable effects may Fosamax have?
Most patients do not have side effects from Fosamax; however, as with any medicine, Fosamax may have unintended or undesirable effects. Side effects usually have been mild. Some patients may experience digestive disturbances such as nausea or vomiting. Some digestive disturbances may be severe including irritation or ulceration of the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach) which can cause chest pain, heartburn or difficulty or pain upon swallowing. These reactions may occur especially if patients do not drink a full glass of water with Fosamax and/or if they lie down in less than 30 minutes or before their first food of the day. Esophageal reactions may worsen if patients continue to take Fosamax after developing symptoms suggesting irritation of the esophagus. Some patients may experience bone, muscle or joint pain or, rarely, a rash (occasionally made worse by sunlight) or eye pain. Allergic reactions such as hives or, rarely, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat which may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing may occur. Rarely, stomach or other peptic ulcers (some severe) have occurred, but it is not known whether these were caused by treatment with Fosamax. Mouth ulcers have occurred when the tablet was chewed or dissolved in the mouth. Your doctor or pharmacist has a more complete list. Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly about these or any other unusual symptoms.
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How can I learn more about Fosamax and osteoporosis?
You may obtain further information from your doctor or pharmacist, who has more detailed information about Fosamax and osteoporosis.
How long should I keep my medicine?
Do not use the medicine after the month and year shown following "EXP DATE' on the package.
How should I store Fosamax?
Store Fosamax at room temperature.
Keep Fosamax and all medicines safely away from children.
When was this package leaflet last revised?
Subsidiary of MERCK & CO., Inc., Whitehouse Station , N.J. , U.S.A.
® Registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station , NJ , USA .
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