Fosamax
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What Is Fosamax?[edit | edit source]
- Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is a bisphosphonate that acts as a specific inhibitor of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]
Fosamax is a bisphosphonate indicated for:
- Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
- Treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis
- Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
- Treatment of Paget's disease of bone
How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]
- At the cellular level, alendronate shows preferential localization to sites of bone resorption, specifically under osteoclasts.
Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]
This medicine cannot be used in:
- Patients with esophagal abnormalities
- Patients who are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
- Do not administer Fosamax oral solution to patients at increased risk of aspiration
- In patients with hypocalcemia
- Patients hypersensitive to any component of this product
Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]
- This medicine had initial U.S. Approval in 1995.
How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]
Treatment of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women The recommended dosage is:
- one 70 mg tablet once weekly/one bottle of 70 mg oral solution once weekly/one 10 mg tablet once daily
Prevention of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women The recommended dosage is:
- one 35 mg tablet once weekly/one 5 mg tablet once daily
Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in Men with Osteoporosis The recommended dosage is:
- one 70 mg tablet once weekly/one bottle of 70 mg oral solution once weekly/one 10 mg tablet once daily
Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
- The recommended dosage is one 5 mg tablet once daily, except for postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen, for whom the recommended dosage is one 10 mg tablet once daily.
Treatment of Paget's Disease of Bone
- The recommended treatment regimen is 40 mg once a day for six months.
What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]
This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:
- This medicine is available as 70 mg tablets
What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]
Common possible side effects of this medicine include:
- abdominal pain
- acid regurgitation
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dyspepsia
- musculoskeletal pain
- nausea
What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]
- Instruct patients to follow dosing instructions.
- Discontinue if new or worsening symptoms occur.
- Hypocalcemia can worsen and must be corrected prior to use.
- Discontinue use if Severe Bone, Joint, Muscle Pain occur.
- Patients with new thigh or groin pain should be evaluated.
What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]
- No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage with Fosamax.
- Hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and upper gastrointestinal adverse events, such as upset stomach, heartburn, esophagitis, gastritis, or ulcer, may result from oral overdosage.
- Milk or antacids should be given to bind alendronate.
- Due to the risk of esophageal irritation, vomiting should not be induced and the patient should remain fully upright.
- Dialysis would not be beneficial.
Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]
- Discontinue when pregnancy is recognized.
Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]
- Fosamax is not indicated for use in pediatric patients.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]
- Store in a well-closed container at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F).
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