discount programs fosamax

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

What is alendronate?
• Alendronate is a compound that alters the cycle of bone formation andbreakdown in your body discount programs fosamax. alendronate increases new bone formation discount programs fosamax.
• Fosamax is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis and to treat Paget'sdisease discount programs fosamax. Fosamax is also used to treat osteoporosis that is caused by treatmentwith a corticosteroid discount programs fosamax.
• Fosamax may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide discount programs 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 discount programs 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 discount programs fosamax.
• Fosamax is in the FDA pregnancy category C discount programs fosamax. This means that it is notknown whether Fosamax will harm an unborn baby discount programs fosamax. Do not take Fosamax withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant discount programs fosamax.
• It is also not known whether Fosamax passes into breast milk discount programs fosamax. Do nottake Fosamax without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby discount programs fosamax.

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention discount programs 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 discount programs fosamax.

What should I avoid while taking Fosamax?
• Follow you doctor's recommendations about drinking alcohol and smoking discount programs fosamax. These activities are related to decreased bone density discount programs 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 discount programs fosamax.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur discount programs 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 discount programs fosamax.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur discount programs fosamax. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome discount programs fosamax.

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

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

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