Fosomax
Fosamax belongs to a group of non-hormonal medicines called bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates as a chemical has been known for many years. Originally it was used in the paint industry! Fosamax prevents the loss of bone that occurs in women after they have been through the menopause, and helps to rebuild bone. Fosamax also makes bone less likely to fracture.
Who should take Fosamax?
Fosamax is used for patients with a disease called osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a thinning and weakening of the bones. It is common in women after the menopause. At the menopause, the ovaries stop producing the female hormone, oestrogen, which helps to keep a woman's skeleton healthy. As a result, bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of osteoporosis.
Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms. If left untreated, however, it can result in fractures (broken bones). Although fractures usually cause pain, fractures of the bones of the spine may go unnoticed until they cause height loss. Fractures may occur during normal, everyday activity, such as lifting, or from minor injury that would not be sufficient to fracture normal bone. Fractures usually occur at the hip, spine, or wrist and can lead not only to pain but also to considerable deformity and disability (such as stooped posture, or 'dowager's hump', and loss of mobility).
How can osteoporosis be treated?
It is important to remember that osteoporosis can be treated and that it is never too late to begin. Fosamax not only prevents the loss of bone but actually helps to rebuild bone you may have lost and makes bone less likely to fracture. It slows down the rate of activity of the osteoclasts, the cells which break down bone.
Who should not take Fosamax?
Do not take these tablets if
- you have certain disorders of the oesophagus (sometimes called the gullet and is the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach)
- you are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
- you are allergic to any of the ingredients
- your doctor has told you that you have low blood calcium
- you are or think you may be pregnant
- you are breast-feeding
Fosamax should not be given to children.
Will Fosamax be OK with my other medicines?
Fosamax can interact with food, drinks and other medication that you take by mouth
How Should You Take Fosamax Once Weekly 70 Mg?
It is very important that you follow actions 2, 3, 4 and 5 to help the Fosamax tablet reach your stomach quickly and help reduce potential for irritation of your oesophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach).
- Choose the day of the week that best fits your schedule. Every week, take one Fosamax Once Weekly 70 mg Tablet on your chosen day.
- After getting up for the day and before taking your first food, beverage, or other medication, swallow your Fosamax tablet with a full glass of plain water only (not less than 200 ml or 7 fl. oz.) not mineral water, coffee, tea nor juice. Do not chew or allow the tablet of Fosamax to dissolve in your mouth.
- After swallowing your Fosamax tablet do not lie down - stay fully upright (sitting, standing or walking) for at least 30 minutes and do not lie down until after your first food of the day.
- Do not take Fosamax at bedtime or before getting up for the day.
- If you develop difficulty or pain upon swallowing, chest pain, or new or worsening heartburn, stop taking Fosamax and contact your doctor.
- After swallowing your Fosamax tablet, wait at least 30 minutes before taking your first food, beverage, or other medication of the day, including antacids, calcium supplements and vitamins. Fosamax is effective only if taken when your stomach is empty.
- If you miss a dose, just take one Fosamax Once Weekly 70 mg Tablet on the morning after you remember. Do not take two tablets on the same day. Return to taking one tablet once a week, as originally scheduled on your chosen day.
- It is important that you continue taking Fosamax for as long as your doctor prescribes the medicine. Fosamax can treat your osteoporosis only if you continue to take the tablets.
What If You Forget To Take A Tablet?
If you miss a dose, just take one Fosamax Once Weekly 70 mg Tablet on the morning after you remember. Do not take two tablets on the same day. Return to taking one tablet once a week, as originally scheduled on your chosen day.
What are the common side effects of Fosamax?
Most patients do not have side effects from taking Fosamax; however, as with any medicine, Fosamax may have unintended or undesirable effects.
Side effects usually have been mild, but some patients may experience digestive disturbances that may be severe. These include irritation or ulceration of the oesophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach) which can cause chest pain, heartburn, difficulty or pain upon swallowing and/or scarring leading to narrowing of the oesophagus. These reactions may occur especially if patients do not drink a full glass of water with Fosamax and/or if they lie down less than 30 minutes after taking Fosamax or before their first food of the day. Oesophageal reactions may worsen if patients continue to take Fosamax after developing symptoms suggesting irritation of the oesophagus.
Other gastro-intestinal side-effects include abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhoea, difficulty in swallowing, flatulence, full or bloated feeling in the stomach, nausea and vomiting and black and/or bloody stools.
Some patients may experience bone, muscle or joint pain, headache or rarely a rash (occasionally made worse by sunlight), eye pain, diminished or hazy vision and/or see black floating spots. Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly about these or any other unusual symptoms. It will help if you make a note of what you experienced, when it started and how long it lasted.
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