side effects from fosamax medication

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention side effects from fosamax medication.
• 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 side effects from fosamax medication.

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

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

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

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

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