Alendronate (Systemic)

Brand Names : Fosamax

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For alendronate, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to alendronate. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet - Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet. Your doctor may recommend that you eat a balanced diet with an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D (found in milk or other dairy products).

Pregnancy - Alendronate has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that alendronate causes birth defects and other pregnancy problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether alendronate passes into breast milk. However, this medicine has been reported to pass into the milk of lactating rats.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of alendronate in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking alendronate, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking the following:

• Aspirin or products that contain aspirin - Use with alendronate may cause or make esophagus, intestine, or stomach problems worse

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of alendronate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Digestion problems - Taking alendronate may be harmful to the esophagus, intestine, or stomach

• Esophagus problems or
• Intestine problems or
• Stomach problems - Alendronate may make these conditions worse

• Kidney problems - The effects of alendronate may be increased