safety of fosamax from israel

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention safety of fosamax from israel.
• 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 safety of fosamax from israel.

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.