Malabsorption syndrome. National Institutes of Health: Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. Last medically reviewed on January 24, 2023, Estrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone structure. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Fosamax may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. Hi Jan and thank you for contacting us. You should be in a sitting or standing position when you take it. Pros: Fosamax can increase bone density in both the spine, the hip, and other bones too. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, can delay gastric emptying. (2021). The most common sites for osteoporosis fractures are the wrist, hip and spine. It is often found glued to the drug package in the form of a tightly folded, fine print flyer. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. The Relationship Between Osteoporosis and Your Parathyroid Glands, Understanding How Steroids Cause Osteoporosis, treat osteoporosis thats caused by taking steroid medications, such as, 10 mg of alendronate once daily if youre a female whos gone through menopause and youre not taking a medication that contains, once daily to treat or prevent osteoporosis, to treat osteoporosis caused by taking steroid medications. For more information about Fosamax, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article. Diabetes can put you at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, and if you have. Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Fosamax treatment. Foods to eat and avoid for people with osteoporosis, prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal females, treat osteoporosis due to glucocorticoid use, burning feeling in your abdomen or stomach, swelling under your skin, typically in your, lips, hands, or feet, ocular (eye-related) side effects, such as swelling of your eyelid, swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe. If you have questions about taking Fosamax Plus D, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Rarely may cause other side effects including uveitis (eye inflammation). Taking Sustiva on an empty stomach regulates its absorption. All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center website is intended for educational purposes only. See additional information. Q. Most side effects of Fosamax are mild and last only a few days to weeks. Pre-existing low blood calcium levels should be corrected before Fosamax administration. Do not use more Fosamax than your doctor prescribes. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones in your body to become weak and porous. Do not lie down. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article. Does coffee 2 hours before or after a dose of fosamax alter its effectiveness? Bone pain was reported in clinical trials as early as one day after starting treatment. After 6 months of treatment, youll stop taking this drug. Fosamax may cause several side effects. For this reason, they must be taken on an empty stomach, and a period of up to 2 hours must elapse before the consumption of any food or drink other than plain water. Mild side effects that have been reported with Fosamax include: These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Then your doctor will check your blood level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). swallow the tablet first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. To treat osteoporosis after menopause, youll likely take one 70-mg tablet of Fosamax (or alendronate) once each week. Trouble standing or sitting up for 30 minutes. Depending on the condition being treated and the dosage used, Fosamax may be taken once daily or once weekly. Tell your doctor about any esophagus or stomach problems that you have before taking Fosamax. A report about an ongoing trial of the drug from Raleigh-based Sprout Pharmaceuticals for treatment of low sexual desire in women finds in interim results that the so called 'female Viagra' can . Its also possible to develop certain side effects after taking Fosamax for a long time. You doctor will tell you how many pills to take and how often. These medications are very commonly prescribed and many people take both so you are in the same situation as a lot of people! Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. However, animal studies dont always indicate what may happen in humans. * In this article, we use the term female to refer to someones sex assigned at birth. When you are taking Fosamax, it is very important that your doctors know if you are taking any other medicine. Learn more about some of the side effects Fosamax may cause. But sometimes side effects may last longer. Fosamax may also be used to treat adverse skeletal effects caused by some cancers. Alendronate is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) in women after menopause. Take your alendronate first. Fosamax is a brand (trade) name for alendronate which may be used for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis. Smoothie. Learn more about the options. The tour begins on Aug. 3 in Sterling . Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. This means the same kinds of side effects are expected in older adults. Is there a interaction between Zocor and Prozac? Take on an Empty Stomach. How Do You Know When Your Stomach Is Empty? Fosamax, like other bisphosphonates, may irritate the esophagus and stomach. They can help you find the cause and manage it. How will I know if my dosage of Fosamax is working well enough for me? A broken hip can result in a severe decline in quality of life and even increases the risk of . They may want to make sure that your indigestion isnt related to a more serious side effect, such as stomach or esophagus ulcers.Symptoms of stomach or esophagus ulcers may include chest pain or worsening heartburn. People with esophagus problems should not take Fosamax. Fosamax and Fosamax Plus D are approved to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal females,* or to treat osteoporosis in males. However, its important to note that you should wait at least 30 minutes after taking Fosamax to take any other medications. If you have low blood calcium levels, your doctor may recommend increasing your calcium before starting Fosamax. Fosamax may interact with antacids or supplements containing calcium or magnesium. Thanks for any advice you can give me. Its not known how often allergic reactions occurred in clinical trials. The drug can cause a serious side effect called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Would reducing my dosage lower my risk of side effects from Fosamax? Its not known exactly how long it may be safe to take Fosamax. Is there another drug thats similar to Fosamax but has a less frequent dosage? If you have questions or concerns about side effects from Fosamax or its generic form, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Still looking for answers? (A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original brand-name drug, but it usually costs less.). If the drug begins to dissolve in your mouth or throat, you may be at risk of an esophagus ulcer. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. . * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Fosamax has been approved to prevent and treat different types of osteoporosis in adults. While these conditions are rare, they can be severe and require hospitalization. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Doctors began studying gastric emptying times in the 1940s at Guys Hospital in London. Instead, this side effect may be due to esophagus or stomach ulcers. If you have severe bone pain, your doctor may recommend stopping treatment with Fosamax. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor if you experience any thigh or groin pain, muscle cramps or twitches, severe or debilitating muscle pain, eye inflammation, or any other adverse effects of concern while you are taking Fosamax. This is because Fosamax works by decreasing bone breakdown. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. This can cause an increase in weight, but its weight from retaining extra fluid, not from added fat. These articles might help: Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Improvement in bone density may be observed as early as 3 months after you start taking FOSAMAX even though you won't see or feel a difference. I am supposed to take both in the morning but by themselves. Some cases have been severe enough to warrant hospitalization. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. All rights reserved. BMJ. What Does It Mean If You Have Osteoporosis During Pregnancy? It is best to have your doctors advice before adding another medication to your daily routine. However, the drug does have a limitation of use. A more accurate answer. Diabetes and Osteoporosis: How Are They Related? If you notice any changes in your mouth, jaw, or teeth, contact your doctor right away. If you're taking it properly, then you need to call your doctor. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Npoje s vysokm obsahom antioxidantov, ako s vitamny C a E, preukzatene zlepuj erektiln funkciu tm, e brnia pokodeniu buniek, produkujcich oxid dusnat," hovor Pearlmanov. Learn about the different options, including the benefits of each and any potential side. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. Your FRAX score is your risk of having an osteoporosis-related fracture in the next 10 years. And if you have malabsorption syndrome, you may be at an even higher risk of low blood calcium. We avoid using tertiary references. Do not substitute water with mineral water, coffee, soda, juice, or tea. Again, take it with a glass of water. Each subject ingested a test meal of gruel. This wasnt a side effect that people taking Fosamax reported in clinical trials. Fosamax (alendronate) works by inhibiting osteoclasts which are responsible for breaking down and reabsorbing bone (by a process known as bone resorption). 2016;353:i3365. You likely wont feel Fosamax working in your body. Take Fosamax exactly as directed by your doctor. Its no longer made in a liquid form. Making complicated health care decisions that may affect your well-being isn't easy, so take the following steps to help educate and protect yourself. Tell your doctor right away about any changes to your teeth or gums. Different strengths of the drug are used depending on the type of condition youre taking it to treat. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Fosamax. Can I miss a week? * There are two options for the dosage frequency of the drug. Its very important to follow these instructions for how to take Fosamax: When its your day of the week to take Fosamax, swallow the tablet first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Is It Safe to Take Fosamax to Treat Osteoporosis? Individuals with untreated calcium deficiency or esophageal disease should not use this treatment. That causes the bones in your body Fosamax administration used for the dosage,! 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