Drug name: Fosamax
Other names used:
Active Ingredients:
- Alendronic acid
Therapeutic effect of Fosamax: Alendronic acid, the active ingredient of Fosamax, is part of a group of medicines that prevents loss of bone mass and is administered during the treatment of osteoporosis (loss of bone density and thinning of bone tissue) and similar disorders. Alendronic acid prevents osteoclast (a type of bone cell) from breaking the bone. Alendronic acid does not help to improve bone growth or bone density growth. It works by inhibiting the cells that break the bone. But Fosamax not only slows down bone loss but also helps in increasing the bone mass thereby preventing bone fracture.
Indications: Fosamax is used to:
- treat a bone disorder that causes thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density (osteoporosis in women who have crossed menopause)
- prevent thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density (osteoporosis) in men
- treat thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density (osteoporosis) in men
- treat osteoporosis that is induced by corticosteroids
- treat a condition that can result in enlargement of bones in men and women (Paget disease)
Precautions and Restrictions: Avoid taking Fosamax tablets:
- if you are highly sensitive to the ingredients used in this medicine
- if a patient is pregnant
- during lactation
- if the patient has any disorders related to the functioning of the Esophagus
- Incapable of sitting in a place for half an hour
Take Fosamax with caution if you are suffering from any disorder related to the digestive system such as gastritis, ulcer in the stomach, duodenitis, problems related to esophagus and dysphagia. Do not use Fosamax if your Creatinine clearance rate is below 35 ml/min.
Side effects of Fosamax: The use of Fosamax can cause some side effects. The below mentioned adverse reactions may occur in some patients while others will not have any side effects at all.
Using Fosamax can cause a person to have:
- problems related to the digestive system such as acid eructation, diarrhea, constipation, swallowing problems, indigestion and stomach ache
- muscle pain, muscular seizure, pain in the joints and bones
- problems of the central nervous system such as cephalalgia
- dermatological side effects such as itching, photosensibilisation, redness in the skin and rashes
- certain allergic reactions such as Stevens Johnson's syndrome, Erythema multiforme, swelling beneath the skin (angioedema) and hives
- hypocalcaemia
- problems related to the sense organs episcleritis, scleritis and uveitis
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
Interactions: For more information about any other possible risks associated with Fosamax, please read the information provided with Fosamax or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Substances that decrease platelet aggregation and inhibit thrombus formation (Antiplatelets)
- Substances that contain calcium
- Iron and magnesium supplements
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Other medicines used for treating osteoporosis
Additional Information: Fosamax tablets should not be used without prior approval of a doctor and don't share these drugs with anybody else. Fosamax tablets are made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use these medicines for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs, needles, syringes and other such medical substances out of the reach of children.
