Is Forteo the same as Fosamax?
No.They are entirely different chemicals. I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query. No, forteo is teriparatide and fosamax is Alendronate .So, they are completely different chemicals. You can't replace one with another. You should discuss your issues with a Rheumatologist.
Does alendronate tablets make you gain weight?
unusual weight gain or loss; vomiting; Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of alendronate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
What are the long term side effects of Fosamax?
- severe pain (joints, bone, muscle, jaw, back or heartburn),
- chest pain, difficulty swallowing,
- bloody stools,
- eye pain,
- skin blisters, and
- swelling of the face, tongue, or throat.
Is alendronate cause damage to the esophagus?
These studies showed that under low pH conditions alendronate sodium can cause esophageal irritation. No esophageal irritation occurred at pH 3.5 or higher where the drug exists primarily as the sodium salt. The animal studies also showed that alendronate sodium can exacerbate preexisting esophageal damage.
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Which is better Fosamax or alendronate?
Alendronate has an average rating of 2.3 out of 10 from a total of 150 ratings on Drugs.com. 12% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 85% reported a negative effect. Fosamax has an average rating of 2.5 out of 10 from a total of 65 ratings on Drugs.com.
Is generic alendronate as effective as Fosamax?
Significantly lower increases of lumbar spine and total hip BMD with generic alendronate once weekly as compared to the two branded bisphosphonate originals (Fosamax®, Actonel®) were observed. The reasons for the 40–50% lower BMD increase rates when using the generic compounds are not known yet.
Why was Fosamax taken off the market?
Though rare, severe health problems associated with Fosamax can be crippling. These include femur fractures, Dead Jaw Syndrome, esophagus problems and musculoskeletal pain. Some of these side effects led people to file Fosamax lawsuits against Merck.
Who should not take alendronate?
You should not take alendronate if you have problems with your esophagus, or low levels of calcium in your blood. Do not take alendronate if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine. Alendronate can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus.
What are the long term side effects of alendronate?
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:Ulcers or erosions of your esophagus. Symptoms can include: ... Bone death of your jaw. Symptoms can include: ... Unusual bone breaks in your hip and leg bones. ... Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in your blood). ... Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.
Is there a safer alternative to Fosamax?
Here are a few alternatives that may be options for you. There are several other bisphosphonates available, including zoledronic acid (Reclast) and risedronate (Actonel). Unlike the other bisphosphonates, Reclast is given intravenously and is not available as an oral pill.
What is the best and safest treatment for osteoporosis 2022?
Bisphosphonates are usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment. These include: Alendronate (Fosamax), a weekly pill. Risedronate (Actonel), a weekly or monthly pill.
Is Fosamax worth the risk?
There are concerns about the long-term safety of bisphosphonates (such as Fosamax) as long-term use has been associated with atypical femur fractures, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and esophageal cancer. Fracture risk reduction may also persist for years after treatment has stopped.
What foods destroy bone density?
What foods destroy bone density?Excess salt.Hydrogenated oil.Alcohol.Food rich in vitamin A.Soft drinks.
What are the dangers of taking alendronate?
This medicine could lower the amount of calcium in your blood. Call your doctor right away if you develop any signs of low calcium levels, such as muscle spasms or twitching, or numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or lips. This medicine may increase your risk of developing fractures of the thigh bone.
What is the safest drug for osteoporosis?
Risedronate – Risedronate (brand names: Actonel, Atelvia) reduces the risk of both vertebral and hip fractures. Risedronate is approved for both prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. It can be taken once per day, once per week, or once per month....GRAPHICS.T-scoreBone density–2.5 or lessOsteoporosis5 more rows•Feb 4, 2021
What vitamins should not be taken with alendronate?
multivitamins with minerals alendronate Products that contain magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, and/or other minerals may interfere with the absorption of alendronate into the bloodstream and reduce its effectiveness. You should take multivitamin with minerals at least 30 minutes after the alendronate dose.
What is the success rate of alendronate?
The overall risk reduction rate was 55%. Reductions in risk of hip fractures with alendronate treatment were consistent across all studies.
What is the best and safest medication for osteoporosis?
Bisphosphonates are usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment. These include: Alendronate (Fosamax), a weekly pill. Risedronate (Actonel), a weekly or monthly pill.
What is the controversy surrounding Fosamax?
Plaintiffs who filed lawsuits against Merck for its osteoporosis drug Fosamax claim that the drug caused osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and femur fractures. Allegations against the drug company include failure to warn and manufacturing a defective drug. Merck settled about 1,200 ONJ cases for $27.7 million.
How long should you take alendronate for osteoporosis?
Answer From Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph. D. Bisphosphonates, the most common type of osteoporosis medications, are typically taken for at least 3 to 5 years. After that, your doctor will consider your risk factors in determining whether you should continue to take these or other osteoporosis medications.
Why can you not lay down after taking alendronate (Fosamax)?
Alendronate (Fosamax) can irritate your esophagus and cause unwanted side effects. Staying upright for 30 minutes after each dose will help the med...
How long is it safe to take alendronate (Fosamax) for osteoporosis?
How long you will take alendronate (Fosamax) depends on how your body responds to the medication. For people with a lower risk of fractures, the ma...
Should I take calcium with alendronate (Fosamax)?
Most people taking alendronate (Fosamax) should also take calcium supplements. Calcium is important for bone health, and alendronate (Fosamax) can...
What happens if you take alendronate (Fosamax) after eating?
Having food in your stomach can stop your body from absorbing all of your dose of alendronate (Fosamax). Then, the medication might not work as wel...
What if I miss my once weekly dose of alendronate (Fosamax)?
If you're halfway through or have already finished breakfast and realize you forgot to take your alendronate (Fosamax), wait until the next morning...
Alendronate facts
Alendronate makes the stomach more acidic, and that extra acidity can irritate the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. This can cause inflammation (esophagitis) and ulcers.
Alendronate myths
Simply put, alendronate is not associated with an increased risk of esophageal or any gastrointestinal cancers. That said, people with existing esophageal disease (like Barrett’s esophagus) are advised to avoid alendronate.
How long is too long with alendronate?
Recent guidelines suggest that 4 years may be the magic number when it comes to alendronate. Four years of Alendronate has been shown to decrease the risk of hip and spine fractures without considerable risk of side effects that could lead to brittle bones.
What is Alendronate (Fosamax®)?
Alendronate is commonly known by the brand name Fosamax®. Fosamax® is a bisphosphonate and is used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Fosamax® decreases the rate bone cells are absorbed. This reduced absorption allows the body to increase bone density, which in turn reduces the risk of fracture.
What about other medications?
This includes prescription and non-prescription medicines as well as vitamins and herbal supplements.
How many mg of a pill is needed for osteoporosis?
The usual dosage for osteoporosis treatment is 70 mg once weekly, or 10 mg once daily. You doctor will tell you how many pills to take and how often. Follow your doctor’s directions.
What are the risks and warnings for alendronate (Fosamax)?
Alendronate (Fosamax) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options
How much is alendronate?
Prices for alendronate (Fosamax) start at just $ 10.99 with a GoodRx coupon. They’re fast, easy-to-use and free!
What is alendronate used for?
Alendronate is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) in women after menopause. This medicine may also be used to increase bone mass in men who have osteoporosis, and in men and women to prevent and treat osteoporosis caused by long-term use of corticosteroids ( cortisone -like medicine). It may also be used to treat Paget's disease of the bone.
How long does it take to stop taking Fosamax?
For people with a lower risk of fractures, the manufacturer recommends stopping it after 3 to 5 years.
Can you take alendronate and fosamax at the same time?
Calcium is important for bone health, and alendronate (Fosamax) can cause low calcium levels. The two should NOT be taken at the same time because calcium can stop your body from absorbing alendronate (Fosamax). Take calcium at least 30 minutes afer alendronate (Fosamax).
Does Fosamax irritate the stomach?
Alendronate (Fosamax) can irritate your esophagus and cause unwanted side effects. Staying upright for 30 minutes after each dose will help the medication travel to your stomach faster and lower the risk of these side effects.
Can you take a double dose of Fosamax?
You can go back to your regular schedule the following week. Never take a double dose to make up for missed doses.
What is the active ingredient in Fosamax?
Fosamax contains the active drug alendronate. It belongs to a class of medications called bisphosphonates. (A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.) Fosamax works to decrease bone breakdown in your body and make your bones stronger.
How many milligrams is Fosamax?
Fosamax comes as 70-milligram (mg) tablets that you take by mouth. This drug should be taken first thing in the morning, before you take other medications or consume any foods or drinks.
How can I stop taking Fosamax?
If your doctor recommends that you stop taking Fosamax, be sure to follow their instructions for stopping. Sometimes your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Fosamax if you have side effects from the drug. Or they may recommend that you stop treatment if you’ve been taking Fosamax for a certain amount of time.
How long do side effects from Fosamax last?
It depends. Certain side effects, such as heartburn or nausea, may go away after you’ve taken a few doses of Fosamax. However other side effects, such as bone pain or a low blood calcium level, may not go away after a few doses of the drug.
Will Fosamax cure my condition?
No, Fosamax doesn’t cure osteoporosis or Paget’s disease of bone. In fact, there’s currently no cure for either of these conditions. However, treatments such as Fosamax may help relieve symptoms and keep these conditions from getting worse.
Does Fosamax cause cancer?
It’s not known if Fosamax increases your risk of cancer. Cancer wasn’ t reported as a side effect in clinical trials of Fosamax. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been reviewing clinical studies to see if there’s a link between medications such as Fosamax and cancer of the esophagus. (The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.)
Can I use the supplement strontium instead of Fosamax?
While strontium may sometimes be used as an alternative to Fosamax, there’s very little evidence in the United States that strontium is safe and effective for osteoporosis treatment. This is because very few clinical trials have been done to determine if strontium can be used for osteoporosis.
How many IU of vitamin D3 is in Alendronate?
Alendronate with either 2,800 IU or 5,600 IU of vitamin D3 provides another option for a source of vitamin D. Weekly alendronate with 2,800 IU of vitamin D3 is the equivalent of taking 400 IU daily, while weekly alendronate with 5,600 IU of vitamin D3 is the equivalent of taking 800 IU daily. Vitamin D3 is also called cholecalciferol.
Is alendronate good for osteoporosis?
Alendronate is approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and for the treatment of osteoporosis in men. It also is approved for the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women as a result of long-term use of steroid medicines (examples are prednisone and cortisone). Alendronate reduces bone loss, increases bone density and reduces the risk of spine and non-spine fractures including hip fractures.
How long to stay upright on Fosamax?
Remove Alendronate from your drug comparison. Prolia denosumab. Remove Prolia from your drug comparison. Fosamax helps to reduce the risk of fracture in people with osteoporosis and some other bone conditions. Dosage instructions, including remaining upright for at least 30 minutes ...
Does food reduce alendronate?
Food may reduce the absorption of alendronate, which may lead to lower blood levels of the...
What is Fosamax?
Fosamax (alendronate) is a bisphosphonate (bis FOS fo nayt) medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent bone fractures.
How should I take Fosamax?
Take Fosamax exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Fosamax is taken either once daily or once per week. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
How long does Fosamax last?
Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine. Fosamax is often given for only 3 to 5 years. Detailed Fosamax dosage information.
How long after taking Fosamax can you sit?
Do not take Fosamax if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine.
How long after taking Fosamax can you take other medications?
Avoid taking any other medicines for at least 30 minutes after taking Fosamax. This includes vitamins, calcium, and antacids. Some medicines can make it harder for your body to absorb alendronate.
What happens if you are allergic to Fosamax?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Fosamax: hives; wheezing, difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
What are the side effects of Fosamax?
trouble swallowing; problems with your stomach or digestion; low levels of calcium in your blood; a dental problem (you may need a dental exam before you begin taking Fosamax); kidney disease; or. any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).
What is alendronate?
Alendronate is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, steroid use, or gonadal failure. alendronate is for use when you have a high risk of bone fracture due to osteoporosis.
How long after taking alendronate can you take other medications?
Avoid taking any other medicines for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate. This includes vitamins, calcium, and antacids. Some medicines can make it harder for your body to absorb alendronate.
What is the treatment for alendronate?
Alendronate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet changes, exercise, bone mineral density testing, and taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Can you take alendronate if you have a low calcium level?
You should not take alendronate if you have problems with your esophagus, or low levels of calcium in your blood.
Does Alendronate interact with other drugs?
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect alendronate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Can alendronate cause stomach pain?
Alendronate can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus. Stop using alendronate and call your doctor at once if you have chest pain, new or worsening heartburn, or pain when swallowing.
What Is Alendronate (Fosamax®)?
- Alendronate is commonly known by the brand name Fosamax®. Fosamax® is a bisphosphonate and is used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Fosamax® decreases the rate bone cells are absorbed. This reduced absorption allows the body to increase bone density, which in turn reduces the risk of fracture.
How Do I Take It?
- Fosamax® is taken once weekly or once daily. The pills are available in 5 mg, 10mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, and 70 mg strength. The usual dosage for osteoporosis prevention is 35 mg once weekly, or 5 mg once daily. The usual dosage for osteoporosis treatment is 70 mg once weekly, or 10 mg once daily. You doctor will tell you how many pills to take and how often. Follow your doctor’s directio…
What Else Should I Know?
- Fosamax® may cause irritation or ulceration of the esophagus, however, this is very unlikely if you are able to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication. Individuals with untreated calcium deficiency or esophageal disease should not use this treatment. Do not use Fosamax® if you are pregnant or nursing.
What About Other medications?
- When you are taking Fosamax®, it is very important that your doctors know if you are taking any other medicine. This includes prescription and non-prescription medicines as well as vitamins and herbal supplements. Fosamax® treatment should be taken on its own without any other medications, and you must wait at least 30 minutes before taking other drugs. It is best to have …