merck fosamax low income card

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention merck fosamax low income card.
• 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 merck fosamax low income card.

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.