Summer BanksAlendronate
September 6th 2006 22:33
Alendronate :
Alendronate is a medication that works by facilitating the development of new bone in the body and by preventing the weakening and breakdown of the bones themselves. This medication is used in the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis and in the treatment of patients who have Paget's disease.
Treatment :
Alendronate must be taken with a full glass (six to eight ounces) of plain water only (not coffee, mineral water, tea, or juice) on an empty stomach. Because food, certain beverages, and other medications will decrease the amount of alendronate absorbed by the body, you should take this medication at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or other medication of the day. Your doctor will advise you on the use of supplemental calcium while taking alendronate. In addition, to avoid irritation or pain in your esophagus, it is very important that you not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate.
If you miss a dose of alendronate, take the missed dose as soon as possible unless it is later in the day. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just wait until the next scheduled dose. Do not double the next dose. If the dose you missed was a once-weekly dose, continue the usual schedule beginning the next morning.
Side Effects :
Minor: Abdominal pain, muscle pain, nausea, or skin rash. These side effects should diminish or disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome to you. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TELL YOUR DOCTOR about constipation, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, gas, headache, heartburn or a sense of irritation or pain in your esophagus, or unusually full or bloated feelings in your stomach.
Interactions :
Alendronate can only be absorbed by your body when your stomach is empty. Therefore it is very important you do not take any other medications (including antacids) or foods for at least 30 minutes after your morning dose of alendronate.
This drug can interact with aspirin and aspirin-containing medications, increasing the frequency of problems with stomach upset or heartburn.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to alendronate. Also be sure to tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal reflux disease, low blood calcium, or a deficiency of vitamin D.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this medication have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also be sure to notify your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is not known if alendronate passes into breast milk.
Alendronate is a medication that works by facilitating the development of new bone in the body and by preventing the weakening and breakdown of the bones themselves. This medication is used in the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis and in the treatment of patients who have Paget's disease.
Treatment :
Alendronate must be taken with a full glass (six to eight ounces) of plain water only (not coffee, mineral water, tea, or juice) on an empty stomach. Because food, certain beverages, and other medications will decrease the amount of alendronate absorbed by the body, you should take this medication at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or other medication of the day. Your doctor will advise you on the use of supplemental calcium while taking alendronate. In addition, to avoid irritation or pain in your esophagus, it is very important that you not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate.
If you miss a dose of alendronate, take the missed dose as soon as possible unless it is later in the day. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just wait until the next scheduled dose. Do not double the next dose. If the dose you missed was a once-weekly dose, continue the usual schedule beginning the next morning.
Side Effects :
Minor: Abdominal pain, muscle pain, nausea, or skin rash. These side effects should diminish or disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome to you. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TELL YOUR DOCTOR about constipation, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, gas, headache, heartburn or a sense of irritation or pain in your esophagus, or unusually full or bloated feelings in your stomach.
Interactions :
Alendronate can only be absorbed by your body when your stomach is empty. Therefore it is very important you do not take any other medications (including antacids) or foods for at least 30 minutes after your morning dose of alendronate.
This drug can interact with aspirin and aspirin-containing medications, increasing the frequency of problems with stomach upset or heartburn.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to alendronate. Also be sure to tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal reflux disease, low blood calcium, or a deficiency of vitamin D.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this medication have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also be sure to notify your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is not known if alendronate passes into breast milk.
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