How long is it safe to take Fosamax?
To reduce the risk of these rare complications, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily stop taking bisphosphonates after 3 to 5 years. This is sometimes called a bisphosphonate holiday. People who have severe osteoporosis may need to wait for 10 years before they stop taking these drugs.
What is the best and safest treatment 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 are the worst side effects of Fosamax?
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: jaw/ear pain, increased or severe bone/joint/muscle pain, new or unusual hip/thigh/groin pain, swelling of joints/hands/ankles/feet, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Why did they take Fosamax off the market?
The spontaneous fractures caused by Fosamax didn’t begin appearing until the drug had been on the market for five years. And these fractures aren’t the only significant bone problems linked to the drug. When Merck applied to the FDA for a label change to reflect these fractures, the FDA rejected its request.
Is Fosamax worth the risk?
Some studies have shown that Fosamax may be more effective than other bisphosphonates such as risedronate at increasing bone mineral density and reducing bone turnover without a higher risk of side effects. Depending on the condition being treated and the dosage used, Fosamax may be taken once daily or once weekly.
Do you gain weight with Fosamax?
Weight gain isn’t a side effect that you should have while taking Fosamax. In clinical trials, weight gain didn’t occur in people taking Fosamax. However, peripheral edema (swelling in your arms or legs) has been reported by some people since Fosamax was approved by the FDA and released onto the market.
Does Fosamax affect teeth?
Nevertheless, Sedghizadeh notes that USC now warns all dental patients taking Fosamax and other bisphosphonates that “you may be at risk of developing osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw, and certain dental treatments may increase that risk.”
Can I stop taking Fosamax cold turkey?
Before stopping Fosamax or any medication, it is important to consult your doctor. Based upon your medical history and individual health risks, your doctor may suggest taking a break. If you do decide to stop taking Fosamax, doctors recommend having regular bone density tests to monitor your status.
Can Fosamax be stopped abruptly?
Take as directed. Alendronate oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: If you don’t take this drug, you may have a higher risk for bone breaks.
Is there an alternative to Fosamax?
Boniva is the brand name for the generic drug ibandronate. Like Fosamax, Boniva is also a bisphosphonate. It is FDA-approved to prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis.
What happens when you stop Fosamax?
Fosamax, Osteoporosis, and Fracture Risk The women who stopped taking Fosamax averaged 2.4% lower bone density at their hip and 3.7% lower bone density at their spine. But in both places, their bone density remained higher than before they started Fosamax treatment 10 years earlier.
Can osteoporosis be reversed without Fosamax?
Can osteoporosis be reversed without medications? Your doctor diagnoses osteoporosis based on bone density loss. You can have different degrees of the condition, and catching it early can help you prevent the condition from worsening. You cannot reverse bone loss on your own.
Does Fosamax cause hair loss?
Dr. Roach: I found many case reports of hair loss after the use of alendronate (Fosamax) and similar drugs (a class called bisphosphonates).
Can I drink coffee while taking Fosamax?
A study found that taking the osteoporosis drug alendronate (brand name, Fosamax) with black coffee or orange juice reduced its absorption by about 60 percent. The drug needs to be taken with water on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before breakfast for optimum effect.
What happens if you take Fosamax with food?
5. Wait at least 30 minutes before taking any food, other drinks or medicines. FOSAMAX is effective only if taken when your stomach is empty. Food, drinks other than plain water, and other medicines will lessen the effect of FOSAMAX by interfering with its absorption into the body.
Should you take calcium when taking Fosamax?
Your doctor may prescribe calcium and vitamin D to help prevent low calcium levels in your blood, while you take FOSAMAX PLUS D. Take calcium and vitamin D as your doctor tells you to.
What happens if I miss a week of Fosamax?
If you miss a dose, take only 1 dose of FOSAMAX on the morning after you remember. Do not take 2 doses on the same day. Continue your usual schedule of 1 dose once a week on your chosen day. If you think you took more than the prescribed dose of FOSAMAX, drink a full glass of milk and call your doctor right away.