Fosamax and/or Equivalents

Drug	Related Drug Names
Fosamax 5mg and/or Equivalents	Alendronate, Apo-Alendronate, Teva-Alendronate
Fosamax 10mg and/or Equivalents	Alendronate, Apo-Alendronate, Fosamax, Teva-Alendronate
Fosamax 40mg and/or Equivalents	Alendronate, Co Alendronate, Fosamax
Fosamax 70mg and/or Equivalents	Act-Alendronate, Alendronate, Fosamax

Fosamax (alendronate)

Fosamax Description

Fosamax is a medicinal drug that belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. It contains the chemical alendronic acid which is a bisphosphonate drug used in the treatment of various bone related diseases such as osteoporosis.

Fosamax helps in alternating the sequence of formation and breakdown of bone in the body. The drug essentially helps in slowing down the rate of bone loss while bringing about an increase in bone mass, consequently reducing the risk and occurrence of bone fractures.

Conditions Treated by Fosamax

As already mentioned, Fosamax is used in the treatment of various diseases of the bone. It helps prevent osteoporosis in both men and women that may be caused by the onset of menopause or by overconsumption of steroids. Fosamax is also useful in increasing mass of bone in men suffering from osteoporosis and also to treat Paget’s disease in both men and women.

fosamax Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

It is extremely important that you take Fosamax exactly as your doctor prescribes. Be very careful not to take bigger or smaller amounts or administer the drug for a longer time than recommended and follow the directions given on the prescription label.

Usually, Fosamax is taken either once every 24 hours or even once every week. You should take the drug first thing after waking up in the morning, making sure that you do not consume any food or drink for at least half an hour after taking the medication. If you happen to be taking Fosamax once a week then make sure that you do so on the same day every week and that you take them in the morning before having breakfast.

You should consume Fosamax with one filled (that is around 8 or 6 ounces) of water. Instead of breaking, chewing or crushing the extended-release capsule, swallow it whole. Breaking the pill open can cause an excessive amounts of the drug to be released in one go, destroy the prolonged effect of the drug and increase the onset of side effects. As already mentioned, make sure that you do not consume any food or drink (apart from plain water) or take any medication for 30 minutes after you take Fosamax. Also do not recline or lie down during this period.

To ensure that Fosamax is helping to improve your condition, you need to have several bone mineral density tests conducted on a regular basis.

b.) Missing a Dose

If you are on the daily dosage of Fosamax and forget to take the drug in the morning, do not try to compensate by taking the tablet later in the day but wait until the next morning to make up for the mixed dose. If you happen to be on the weekly dose and forget to take the medication on the stipulated day, then take it on the following day and resume taking it on the original stipulated day from the following week. Hence, under no circumstance should you take more than 1 tablet a day.

c.) Overdosing

If you overdose on Fosamax, seek medical attention right away.

Fosamax Warnings

Fosamax can prove to be harmful if you happen to be suffering from certain conditions. It is important that you avoid taking Fosamax if you suffer from severe liver disease. You should also consult a doctor or a pharmacist for dose adjustments or special tests to make sure it is safe for you to take the drug if you happen to be suffering from the following medical conditions:

• A deficiency in Vitamin D
• Dental problem
• Trouble in swallowing
• Ulcer in the stomach
• Ulcer in the esophagus
• Other issues of the stomach or esophagus

Fosamax requires you to remain upright for at least half an hour after taking the medicine and hence you should not take Fosamax tablets if you are unable to stand upright for the said amount of time. You should also avoid taking Fosamax if you have depleted levels of calcium in your blood (that is hypocalcemia) or if you have disorders pertaining to muscle movement in the esophagus.

Fosamax is often associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw (that is loss of bone in the jaw). Symptoms of osteonecrosis are swelling, loosening of teeth, numbness, infection of the gums, and pain in the jaw. You are prone to developing osteonecrosis if you suffer from cancer or are undergoing treatment of cancer with radiation, chemotherapy and steroids. Hence you should thoroughly consult with your doctor before taking up Fosamax.

Lastly, you should avoid taking Fosamax if you are allergic to alendronate or alendronic acid, the chemical contained within the drug.

Fosamax Side Effects

As with most other drugs, Fosamax has a number of side effects. If you exhibit allergic reactions to Fosamax such as:

• hives
• swelling of tongue
• swelling of lips
• inflammation of throat
• swelling of face
• appearance of rashes
• excessive itching and difficulty in breathing

you should seek emergency medical help right away and consult your doctor immediately. The more serious side effects of using Fosamax include:

• Fever
• Ache in the body
• Severe muscle pain
• Severe pain in the joints
• Severe heartburn
• Burning sensation in the upper parts of the stomach
• Blood in the cough
• Painful or burning sensation in the back or the ribs
• Pain in the jaw
• Numbness
• Swelling
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Pain while swallowing
• Chest pain

Less serious side effects of using Fosamax are:

• Mild pain in the joints
• Swelling of hands and feet
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Head ache
• Pain in the eye
• Bloating
• Mild heartburn
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Mild nausea

The above is not however an exhaustive list and other side effects may arise upon using Fosamax.

Possible Drug Interactions with Fosamax

Fosamax can prove to be harmful if used in tandem with certain other drugs. Make sure to inform your doctor about the following drugs if you are to take Fosamax:

• Toradol (ketorolac)
• Indocin (indomethacin)
• Voltaren (diclofenac)
• Advil (ibuprofen)
• Celebrex (celecoxib)
• Dolobid (diflunisal)
• Orudis (ketoprofen)
• Feldene (piroxicam)
• Naprosyn (naproxen)

The above however is not an exclusive list and there are other drugs, which should not be used simultaneously and concurrently with Fosamax. Hence, it is extremely important that you inform your doctor about any and all medications that you happen to be using at the time of taking Fosamax.

If you have any questions about buying discount Fosamax online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Fosamax and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information