fosamax warnings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.