Alendronate
Description
Alendronate is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is also used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in men and women who are on corticosteroid therapy. This medicine can also be used to treat Paget's disease of bone, a condition in which the bones are weak, thin, deformed, and easily fractured.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Alendronate
- Hypersensitivity
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Loss of appetite
- Loosening of the teeth
- Joint or muscle pain
- Swelling of ankles or feet
- Flu like symptoms
Uses of Alendronate
What is it prescribed for?
- Osteoporosis
- Paget's disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 3 weeks of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 12-30 weeks.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to alendronate or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Severe bone, joint and/or muscle pain
This medicine may cause severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain. Report any such symptoms to the doctor on priority. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue therapy based on your clinical condition.
Thigh bone fracture
Treatment with Alendronate may increase the risk of thigh bone fracture. Care should be taken to avoid any falls or other trauma to reduce this risk.
Use in pediatrics
This medicine is not recommended for use in children or adolescents.
Missed Dose
If a dose of once-daily Alendronate is missed, do not take it later in the day; skip the dose and follow the regular dosing schedule next morning. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one. If the once a week dose of Alendronate is missed, take the dose next morning and continue with the regular dosing schedule of one tablet once a week.
Overdose
If an overdose of this medicine is suspected, give a full glass of milk to the patient and seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor immediately.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Gentamicin
NSAIDs
Deferasirox
Etelcalcetide
Disease interactions
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)
This medicine should be used with caution in patients undergoing invasive dental procedures due to the increased risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Therapy with the medicine may need to be discontinued based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Renal Dysfunction
Alendronate is not recommended for use in patients with creatinine clearance less than 35 ml/min due to the increased risk of acute renal failure. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary during treatment with this medicine.
Hypocalcemia
Alendronate is not recommended for treating osteoporosis in patients with decreased calcium levels (hypocalcemia). Calcium and vitamin D levels should be checked before starting therapy with this medicine. It is also important to continue appropriate supplementation of calcium and vitamin D during treatment with this medicine.
Upper gastrointestinal mucosal irritation
Alendronate may cause upper gastrointestinal mucosal irritation and increase the risk of gastric ulcers and bleeding. It is advised to take the tablet along with a full glass of water and stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes after the dose to reduce the chances of these side effects. Therapy should be discontinued if the patient experiences any difficulty in swallowing or persistent abdominal pain. Report any such symptoms to the doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Asthma
Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with asthma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of such patients for any adverse effects is necessary during treatment with this medicine.
Aspiration
Alendronate oral solution is not recommended for use in patients with obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract due to the increased risk of aspiration.
Food interactions
The desired effects of Alendronate will not be achieved if it is taken along with food. It is advised to take this medicine first thing in the morning and at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything.
The combined use of Alendronate and products containing calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or iron may reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. It is recommended not to take such products for at least 30 minutes after taking Alendronate. It is advised that you inform the doctor about all your medicines including herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with Alendronate to avoid such interactions.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Alendronate as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Alendronate increases bone thickness and reduces the chances of bone breakage.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Bisphosphonates
Schedule
Schedule H
Alendronate: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - ALENDRONATE SODIUM- alendronate sodium tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
Alendronic acid - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
Alendronate (substance) [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 18 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 31 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
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