fosamax guidelines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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