fosamax gastrointestinal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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