how to get off fosamax

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention how to get off fosamax.
• 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 how to get off fosamax.

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

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

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

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

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