long term use of fosamax

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

What is alendronate?
• Alendronate is a compound that alters the cycle of bone formation andbreakdown in your body long term use of fosamax. alendronate increases new bone formation long term use of fosamax.
• Fosamax is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis and to treat Paget'sdisease long term use of fosamax. Fosamax is also used to treat osteoporosis that is caused by treatmentwith a corticosteroid long term use of fosamax.
• Fosamax may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide long term use of 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 long term use of 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 long term use of fosamax.
• Fosamax is in the FDA pregnancy category C long term use of fosamax. This means that it is notknown whether Fosamax will harm an unborn baby long term use of fosamax. Do not take Fosamax withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant long term use of fosamax.
• It is also not known whether Fosamax passes into breast milk long term use of fosamax. Do nottake Fosamax without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby long term use of fosamax.

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention long term use of 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 long term use of fosamax.

What should I avoid while taking Fosamax?
• Follow you doctor's recommendations about drinking alcohol and smoking long term use of fosamax. These activities are related to decreased bone density long term use of 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 long term use of fosamax.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur long term use of 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 long term use of fosamax.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur long term use of fosamax. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome long term use of fosamax.

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

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

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.