fosamax complications

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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