Fosamax (Alendronate) Tablets for Osteoporosis Treatment: Uses and Side Effects

Fosamax that’s also known as Alendronate is a bisphonate drug that’s used to treat and prevent specific types of bone-loss among adults. It’s a condition called osteoporosis that causes the bones to become thinner and fragile over time, making them break easily. The risk of osteoporosis increases with age, after menopause, or even when one is taking corticosteroid medications for a longer period of time.

Fosamax Alendronate for osteoporosis

Biosphonate are basically synthetic analogues of pyrophosphate binding with the hydroxyapatite, those are found in the bone. The chemical structure of Alendronate is 1-hydroxybutylidene and 4-amino acid monosodium tri-hydrate salt. Fosamax sodium is a white, non-hygrosopic, crystalline powder. It is totally soluble in water, but less soluble in alcohol, and absolutely zero percent soluble in chloroform. Oral Fosamax tablets contain 91.37 mg of alendronate monosodium trihydrate salt that equals to 70 mg of free acid, alongside these following inactive ingredients named anhydrous, micro-crystalline, magnesium state, and croscarmellose sodium.

Uses of Fosamax Tablets

Fosamax is a prescription drug that is used to cure osteoporosis in women after menopause. It can reduce the chances of having a hip fracture or a fracture in the spinal cord. It’s also responsible for increasing bone mass in males who are having osteoporosis or are undergoing a treatment of bone disorder.

The safe way of consuming Fosamax is to follow the medication guide provided by the prescribed pharmacist before starting off with alendronate and every time one gets to refill it. It’s highly recommended to follow the instructions very carefully to minimize the risk factor of injury to the esophagus. For any extra query one might ask a doctor or a pharmacist. Orally consume the medicine once in a day, after waking up in the morning and before taking the first piece of food for the day, or any other medicine, or other beverages. Consume the Fosamax pill with 6-8 ounces of normal water. Swallow the tablet. Don’t chew or suck it.

After taking the tablet stay upright; like sit, walk, or stand, and don’t lean or lay down for nearly 30 minutes atleast, and also before taking the first meal of the day. Alendronate only works if it’s consumed in an empty stomach. Other than drinking plain water wait for minimum of 30 minutes (best 1-2 hours) after taking the medicine and don’t eat or drink anything else.

It’s recommended not to consume this medicine during bedtime or before waking up for the day, since the medicine may not get absorbed by the body and it may cause side effects. It is because iron or calcium supplements, antacids, vitamins, tea, coffee, soda, calcium enriched fruit juices, mineral water, and other food beverages decrease the absorption power of alendronate.

Take this drug on a daily basis to get the utmost benefit out of it. It should be taken at the same time every morning. For a long-term use of this medication, you should talk to your family doctor any other physician for its benefits and risks.

Side Effects of Fosamax or Alendronate

Medicines do give relief but there are also certain side effects that develop over time. Here are some of the common side effects that may occur from the intake of Fosamax:

  • Constipation, stomach-ache, gas, diarrhea, nausea may appear. There may also arise bloating, vomiting, swelling of feet or in the hands.
  • Side effects also include ye-pain, or a back pain, dizziness all time, and even weakness.
  • Serious side-effects of consuming Fosamax are severe pain in the joints, muscle cramp, knee, jaw, or even heartburn.
  • Another serious side-effect is bloody stools, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue giving arise to difficulty in swallowing.
  • Taking Fosamax may also result in taste perversion.

Stop using Fosamax or alendronate with any other brand name in the following circumstances:

  • If you experience heart burn or cough out blood.
  • If there’s a pain in the upper stomach.
  • If there’s any unusual or new pain in the rib or in the thigh or hip.

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