fosamax and side effects

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention fosamax and side effects.
• 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 fosamax and side effects.

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

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

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

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

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