stomach problems with fosamax

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention stomach problems with 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 stomach problems with fosamax.

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

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about Fosamax written for healthprofessionals that you may read stomach problems with fosamax.

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