actonel and fosamax differences

What is the most important information I should know about Fosamax?
• Some forms of alendronate are taken once a day actonel and fosamax differences. Others are taken onlyonce a week actonel and fosamax differences. It is very important that you follow your doctor's directions actonel and fosamax differences. If you take alendronate once a week, take it on the same day each week actonel and fosamax differences.
• After swallowing the tablet, do not lie down, remain fully upright sitting,standing or walking, for at least 30 minutes and until after you have eaten actonel and fosamax differences.
• Do not crush, chew, or suck the tablets actonel and fosamax differences. Swallow them whole actonel and fosamax differences.
• Do not take alendronate at bedtime or before getting up for the day actonel and fosamax differences.

What is alendronate?
• Alendronate is a compound that alters the cycle of bone formation andbreakdown in your body actonel and fosamax differences. alendronate increases new bone formation actonel and fosamax differences.
• Fosamax is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis and to treat Paget'sdisease actonel and fosamax differences. Fosamax is also used to treat osteoporosis that is caused by treatmentwith a corticosteroid actonel and fosamax differences.
• Fosamax may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide actonel and fosamax differences.

Who should not take Fosamax?
• Before taking Fosamax, tell your doctor if you
· have a problem swallowing, such as a narrowing of your esophagus;
· have esophageal ulcers or an esophageal disease;
· have a condition that causes low levels of calcium in your body;
· have kidney disease;
· have stomach ulcers or other stomach or digestive problems; or
· are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes actonel and fosamax differences.
• You may not be able to take Fosamax, or you may require a lower doseor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove actonel and fosamax differences.
• Fosamax is in the FDA pregnancy category C actonel and fosamax differences. This means that it is notknown whether Fosamax will harm an unborn baby actonel and fosamax differences. Do not take Fosamax withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant actonel and fosamax differences.
• It is also not known whether Fosamax passes into breast milk actonel and fosamax differences. Do nottake Fosamax without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby actonel and fosamax differences.

How should I take Fosamax?
• Take Fosamax exactly as directed by your doctor actonel and fosamax differences. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you actonel and fosamax differences.
• Some forms of alendronate are taken once a day actonel and fosamax differences. Others are taken onlyonce a week actonel and fosamax differences. It is very important that you follow your doctor's directions actonel and fosamax differences. If you take alendronate once a week, take it on the same day each week actonel and fosamax differences.
• Take Fosamax first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before youeat any food or drink any liquid (other than plain water) actonel and fosamax differences. This timing is veryimportant for getting the maximum amount of medication from each dose actonel and fosamax differences. Foodsand beverages greatly decrease the effect of Fosamax actonel and fosamax differences.
• Take each dose with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of tap water or bottledwater actonel and fosamax differences. Taking each dose with a full glass of water will ensure proper swallowingof the tablet and reduce the risk of mouth or throat irritation actonel and fosamax differences. Do not takethis medication with mineral water, juice, or any other beverage actonel and fosamax differences.
• After swallowing the tablet, do not lie down, remain fully upright sitting,standing or walking, for at least 30 minutes and until after you have eaten actonel and fosamax differences.
• Do not crush, chew, or suck the tablets actonel and fosamax differences. Swallow them whole actonel and fosamax differences.
• Do not take Fosamax at bedtime or before getting up for the day actonel and fosamax differences.
• If you have difficulty or pain upon swallowing, chest pain, or new orworsening heartburn, stop taking Fosamax and call your doctor actonel and fosamax differences.
• It is important that you continue taking Fosamax for as long as yourdoctor prescribes it actonel and fosamax differences. Fosamax can treat or prevent osteoporosis only if youcontinue to take it actonel and fosamax differences.
• Store Fosamax at room temperature away from moisture and heat actonel and fosamax differences.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• If you take alendronate every day and you miss a dose, skip that doseand take your next regularly scheduled dose the following day actonel and fosamax differences. Missing one dosewill not affect your treatment actonel and fosamax differences. Do not take two tablets at the same time actonel and fosamax differences.
• If you take alendronate once a week and you miss a dose, take the misseddose on the morning after you remember actonel and fosamax differences. Do not take two tablets on the sameday actonel and fosamax differences. Return to taking one tablet once a week, as originally scheduled on yourchosen day actonel and fosamax differences.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention actonel and fosamax differences.
• The symptoms of an Fosamax overdose are unknown, but the following symptomsmight be expected: nausea, heartburn, pain in your abdomen, other stomach-relatedsymptoms, muscle cramps, uncontrollable facial grimacing, seizures, irritability,and abnormal behavior actonel and fosamax differences.

What should I avoid while taking Fosamax?
• Follow you doctor's recommendations about drinking alcohol and smoking actonel and fosamax differences. These activities are related to decreased bone density actonel and fosamax differences.

What are the possible side effects of Fosamax?
• Stop taking Fosamax and seek emergency medical attention or contact yourdoctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· difficulty or pain when swallowing;
· chest pain;
· pain or burning under your ribs or in your back; or
· new or worsening heartburn actonel and fosamax differences.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur actonel and fosamax differences. Continueto take Fosamax and talk to your doctor if you experience
· abdominal discomfort;
· stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
· headache;
· muscle, bone, or joint soreness or aches;
· eye pain;
· a rash; or
· an altered sense of taste actonel and fosamax differences.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur actonel and fosamax differences. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome actonel and fosamax differences.

What other drugs will affect Fosamax?
• Antacids and other medicines taken by mouth may decrease the effectsof Fosamax actonel and fosamax differences. Do not take any other medicines within 30 minutes after a dose ofFosamax actonel and fosamax differences. Talk to your doctor before taking any other medicines during treatmentwith Fosamax actonel and fosamax differences.
• Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen(Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), indomethacin(Indocin, Indocin SR), naproxen (Anaprox, Aleve, Naprosyn), oxaprozin (Daypro),nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others may increase the riskof damage to your stomach if they are taken during treatment with Fosamax actonel and fosamax differences. Talkto your doctor before taking anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers orfever reducers during treatment with Fosamax actonel and fosamax differences.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Fosamax actonel and fosamax differences. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines actonel and fosamax differences.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about Fosamax written for healthprofessionals that you may read actonel and fosamax differences.

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