dangers of fosamax

What is the most important information I should know about Fosamax?
• Some forms of alendronate are taken once a day dangers of fosamax. Others are taken onlyonce a week dangers of fosamax. It is very important that you follow your doctor's directions dangers of fosamax. If you take alendronate once a week, take it on the same day each week dangers of fosamax.
• 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 dangers of fosamax.
• Do not crush, chew, or suck the tablets dangers of fosamax. Swallow them whole dangers of fosamax.
• Do not take alendronate at bedtime or before getting up for the day dangers of fosamax.

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

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 dangers of fosamax.
• 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 dangers of fosamax.
• Fosamax is in the FDA pregnancy category C dangers of fosamax. This means that it is notknown whether Fosamax will harm an unborn baby dangers of fosamax. Do not take Fosamax withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant dangers of fosamax.
• It is also not known whether Fosamax passes into breast milk dangers of fosamax. Do nottake Fosamax without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby dangers of fosamax.

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

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 dangers of fosamax. Missing one dosewill not affect your treatment dangers of fosamax. Do not take two tablets at the same time dangers of fosamax.
• If you take alendronate once a week and you miss a dose, take the misseddose on the morning after you remember dangers of fosamax. Do not take two tablets on the sameday dangers of fosamax. Return to taking one tablet once a week, as originally scheduled on yourchosen day dangers of fosamax.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention dangers of fosamax.
• 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 dangers of fosamax.

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

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 dangers of fosamax.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur dangers of fosamax. 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 dangers of fosamax.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur dangers of fosamax. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome dangers of fosamax.

What other drugs will affect Fosamax?
• Antacids and other medicines taken by mouth may decrease the effectsof Fosamax dangers of fosamax. Do not take any other medicines within 30 minutes after a dose ofFosamax dangers of fosamax. Talk to your doctor before taking any other medicines during treatmentwith Fosamax dangers of fosamax.
• 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 dangers of fosamax. Talkto your doctor before taking anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers orfever reducers during treatment with Fosamax dangers of fosamax.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Fosamax dangers of fosamax. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines dangers of fosamax.

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

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