ALENDRONATE

(a LEN dro nate) Brand: Binosto, Fosamax

What is the most significant information I must know about alendronate?

• You must not take alendronate if you have low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia), or a problem with the movement of muscles in your esophagus.

• Do not take an alendronate tablet if you can't sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes. Alendronate can reason serious problems in the stomach or esophagus (the pipe that connects your mouth and stomach). You will need to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication.

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 in men and women to treat or prevent osteoporosis that is caused by menopause or by taking steroids. Alendronate is also used to magnify bone mass in men who have osteoporosis, and to treat Paget's malady of bone in men and women.

• Alendronate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking alendronate?

• You must not take alendronate if you are allergic to it, or if you have low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia), or a problem with the movement of muscles in your esophagus.

• To create certain alendronate is safety for you, speak your doctor if you have:

· trouble swallowing;

· a vitamin D deficiency;

· a dental problem;

· kidney malady; or

· an ulcer or another problem in your stomach or esophagus.

• In rare cases, this medication may reason bone loss (osteonecrosis) in the jaw. Symptoms include jaw pain or numbness, red or swollen gums, loose teeth, or slow healing after dental work. The longer you use alendronate, the more likely you are to develop this condition.

• Osteonecrosis of the jaw may be more likely if you have cancer or received chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Another risk factors include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and a pre existing dental problem.

• Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether alendronate will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

• It is not known whether alendronate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Speak your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take alendronate?

• Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.

• Alendronate tablets are taken either once every day or once every week.

• To use the Binosto effervescent tablet, dissolve the tablet in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. To create certain you get the entire doze, add a few more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

• Take the Fosamax tablet first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes till you ate or drink anything or take any another medication. If you take an alendronate tablet only once a week, take it on the same day every week and always first thing in the morning.

• Take Fosamax with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water. Use only plain water (not mineral water) when taking the tablet.

• Do not crush, chew, or suck the Fosamax tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

• After taking alendronate, carefully follow these instructions:

· Do not lie down or recline for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate.

· Do not ate or drink anything another than plain water.

· Do not take any another medicines including vitamins, calcium, or antacids for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate. It may be excellent to take your another medicines at a various time of the day. Conversation with your doctor about the excellent dosing schedule for your another medicines.

• To be certain this medicine is helping your condition, your bone mineral density will need to be tested on a regular basis. You may not need to take alendronate for longer than 3 to 5 years if you take it for osteoporosis. Visit your doctor regularly.

• If you need to have any dental work (especially surgery), speak the dentist onward of time that you are using alendronate. You may need to stop using the medication for a short time.

• Alendronate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet changes, exercice, and taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your diet, medicine, and exercice routines very closely.

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• If you take alendronate once daily: If you forget to take this medication first thing in the morning, do not take it later in the day. Wait before the next morning to take the medication and skip the missed doze. Do not take two (2) tablets in one day.

• If you take alendronate 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 doze. Then return to your regular weekly schedule on your chosen doze day. Do not take two (2) tablets in one day.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Drink a full glass of milk and call your local poison control center or abnormal room right away. Do not create yourself vomit and do not lie down.

• Overdose symptoms may include nausea, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea, muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, tight muscles in your person, seizure (convulsions), irritability, and unusual thoughts or behavior.

What must I avoid while taking alendronate?

• Avoid taking any another medicines including vitamins, calcium, or antacids for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate. Some medicines can create it harder for your body to absorb alendronate.

What are the possible side effects of alendronate?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Stop using alendronate and call your doctor at once if you have:

· chest pain, new or worsening heartburn;

· difficulty or pain when swallowing;

· pain or burning under the ribs or in the back;

· severe heartburn, burning pain in your upper stomach, or coughing up blood;

· new or worsening heartburn;

· severe joint, bone, or muscle pain, new or unusual pain in your thigh or hip;

· fever, body aches, flu symptoms; or

· jaw pain, numbness, or swelling.

· new or unusual pain in your thigh or hip;

• General side effects may include:

· mild heartburn, bloating;

· mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;

· diarrhea, gas, or constipation;

· mild joint pain or swelling;

· swelling in your hands or foots; or

· dizziness, eye pain, headache.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect alendronate?

• Speak your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with alendronate, especially:

· NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

• This list is not complete. Another drugs may interact with alendronate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medicine manual.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about alendronate.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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