fda fosamax

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.