fosamax osteopenia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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