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Common uses
This medicine is a
bisphosphonate used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. It may also be
used to treat paget's disease, steroid-induced osteoporosis, and
other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Before using
Additional monitoring
of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking medicines
that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, or magnesium; aspirin; or
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or
naproxen. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions
including severe kidney problems, stomach problems such as ulcers,
allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Use of this medicine is not
recommended if you have trouble swallowing, a narrow or blocked
esophagus, low levels of calcium in your blood, or if you cannot
stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes. Contact your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this
medicine.
Directions
Follow the directions
for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes
with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your
doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about
this medicine. In order for this medicine to work, it is important to
take it once a day, every day. Swallow whole. Do not break, crush,
suck, or chew the tablet before swallowing.
Take this medicine
with 6-8 ounces of plain water only the first thing in the morning,
at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other
medicine. This medicine works even better if you take it 60 minutes
before eating, drinking, or taking any other medicine. This medicine
is effective only if taken on an empty stomach. Do not lie down for
at least 30 minutes after taking this medicine and until after your
first food of the day. Calcium or iron supplements, vitamins, or
antacids containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum may interfere
with the absorption of this medicine. Take these products or any
other medicines at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate.
Store this medicine at
room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and
light. If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and
go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Cautions
Do not take this
medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic
to any ingredient in the product. Keep all doctor and laboratory
appointments while you are taking this medicine. Laboratory and/or
medical tests may be done to monitor your progress or to check for
side effects. It is important to have enough calcium and vitamin d in
your diet. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have
questions about your diet or about taking dietary supplements such as
calcium or vitamin d.
Before you begin
taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter,
check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines
which contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. For women: if you plan
on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks
of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown if this
medicine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be
breast-feeding while you are using this medicine, check with your
doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side
effects
Side effects, that may
go away during treatment, include stomach pain, muscle pain, headache,
constipation, stomach gas, bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, or
diarrhea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience black or bloody
stools; new, worsening, or severe heartburn; difficulty swallowing;
pain upon swallowing; or chest pain. An allergic reaction to this
medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it
occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching,
swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other
effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
If you take
too much
If overdose is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room
immediately. Do not lie down. Symptoms of overdose may include
stomach upset or pain, heartburn, and pain upon swallowing.
Additional
information
Non-drug therapy may
also help prevent bone loss. Consult your doctor about a
weight-bearing exercise plan or other lifestyle changes that may be
helpful. Follow all diet recommendations for adequate daily calcium
and vitamin d intake. Do not share this medicine with others for whom
it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health
conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using
this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before
your supply runs out
Drug
interactions
Drug interactions can
result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its
job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this
medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and
over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. |