Fosamax tablets: instructions for use, description, composition and reviews

With age, all body systems begin to work at a slowed pace. There are chronic diseases that bring a lot of discomfort. Rarely can you do without the help of a qualified specialist. In women, health problems often begin to appear during menopause. Osteoporosis is a disease that every other representative of the weaker sex encounters after 50 years. Fosamax tablets can be used as a prophylactic. Instructions for use describe how to use the drug correctly.

Form of composition and packaging

The inhibitor of bone resorption is available in the form of white tablets. The main active ingredient is alendronate sodium. As auxiliary substances are microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous lactose, croscarmellose sodium, and also magnesium stearate. The drug goes to the pharmacies in blisters, packed in cardboard boxes.

Fosamax tablets should be strictly used. The instructions for use indicate that the medicinal product refers to bisphosphonates, which can accumulate in areas of active bone resorption. Directly acting component does not affect the formation of bone tissue. Therefore, it is useless to apply it to treat an existing fracture.

Bioavailability of the drug is 65% on condition of taking fasting tablets. It is not recommended to use the medication immediately after breakfast. About 50% of the active substance is excreted with urine for two days.

Indications

In women who have already entered the menopause period, bone mass is significantly reduced. As a consequence, the risk of fractures increases. The spine, wrist and thigh most often suffer. As in older women and men, the rate of bone resorption is an order of magnitude higher than the rate of its formation. Even a small bruise can cause a fracture. To avoid such situations, specialists prescribe the appropriate drug. Instructions for use, price should be studied before using Fosamax. Reviews about the drug show that it refers to a low price category. The drug can be found in almost every pharmacy.

The drug can also be used to treat Paget's disease. In this case, the drug is most often used in a hospital.

Contraindications

Without prior consultation with a doctor, do not use Fosamax tablets. Instructions for use describe the diseases in which a medication can only cause harm. The drug can not be used for hypercalcemia, as well as for the diseases of the esophagus, which slow its emptying. Do not take pills with achalasia. With caution. Assign the drug for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, dysphagia.

In order for the acting component to be well mastered, the patient must sit straight or stand for half an hour. If this is not possible, the drug is also not assigned. Some patients may develop hypersensitivity to one of the components of the drug. At occurrence of any allergic reactions it is necessary to suspend treatment and to address to the doctor on consultation.

special instructions

Any bisphosphonates can cause severe irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Fosamax tablets are not an exception. The instruction for use states that during the treatment period, the patient may experience such unpleasant consequences as ulcers of the esophagus, erosion. Patients who already have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to refuse treatment with bisphosphonates.

The risk of side effects increases in those patients who misread the drug "Fosamax". Instructions for use, price, feedback, dosage - all this must be studied before the start of treatment. Particular attention should be paid to contraindications. Use the drug without first consulting a doctor is highly discouraged. Immediately it is worthwhile to seek medical help, if during the treatment there were pains behind the breastbone or when swallowing, heartburn intensified. Such symptoms may indicate the development of peptic ulcer disease.

The drug is not used in pediatrics. Children who suffer frequent fractures are prescribed other drugs not belonging to the bisphosphonate group.

Dosage

Tablets should be taken on an empty stomach, washed down with plenty of clean water. Do not eat food or any liquid for at least 30 minutes after using the medication. Any products can help reduce the bioavailability of the drug. To reduce the negative impact on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, the pill should be taken according to special rules. The medication is used immediately after lifting from bed, washed down with plenty of water. To bite the tablets in any case impossible. This can contribute to the development of ulcers in the mouth. After taking the drug, you can not stay for half an hour. It is recommended to start eating after two hours.

The dosage of the drug is determined in accordance with the form of osteoporosis. Indicates that it is enough once a week to take Fosamax tablets instructions for use. The feedback from specialists shows that this dosage is optimal for most patients. In addition, patients should take drugs containing vitamin D and calcium.

Overdose and side effects

The use of the drug in an increased dosage can lead to the development of unpleasant side effects. Immediately need to seek medical help if symptoms such as hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, burning in the throat or stomach, abdominal pain, heartburn occur. All this may indicate the development of peptic ulcer. Before coming to the clinic you can take milk or antacids. This will help to bind alendronate and uncomplicated symptoms will temporarily go away.

To reduce side effects, specialists do not recommend inducing vomiting. It is necessary to maintain the vertical position before the arrival of emergency care. Fosamax tablets can not be used uncontrolled. Instructions for use, price, analogues, correct dosage - all this should be known in advance from the attending physician. Unpleasant consequences that can arise due to improper intake of medication are often very difficult to eliminate.

Drug Interactions

Absorption of the main active ingredient may be impaired if the tablets are used in conjunction with calcium preparations and antacids. Therefore, the interval between taking individual medications should be at least an hour. During the treatment period, it is not necessary to use medications that adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract. We will also have to give up alcohol, sour and salty foods.

Significantly increase the undesirable effects of the gastrointestinal tract in patients who in parallel take acetylsalicylic acid. Given that Fosamax tablets are taken once a week, adverse interactions can be minimized.

Than to replace a medicine?

Describes the exact composition of the drug "Fosamax" instruction. Feedback analogs also have good. The specialist will be able to recommend tablets with identical composition and similar characteristics. The "Alendronate" remedy, which is named after the active ingredient, is popular. Additionally, substances such as povidone, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose are used. The drug is most often prescribed to women during the menopause as a preventive measure.

Tablets "Ostalon" - another popular means, which can replace the drug "Fosamaksk." Instructions for use, the price is practically the same. Medication is dispensed without a prescription. However, it is not recommended to use it without prior consultation with a doctor. Tablets have a lot of contraindications. These include vitamin D deficiency, disruption of mineral metabolism, hypocalcemia. Do not prescribe the drug to children, as well as women during pregnancy and lactation.

Reviews about the drug "Fosamax"

If properly administered, the "Fosamax" drug helps to significantly strengthen the bone apparatus. Instructions for use, price, reviews, analogues - all this is worth exploring before starting treatment. Specialists note that in patients who strictly follow the instructions and the correct dosage, side effects do not develop.

The cost of tablets in the pharmacy is only 500 rubles. It is not accidental that the price of the reviews is positive for the "Fosamax" facility. The instruction "Fosamax" (the description of the medicine) shows that the correct use of tablets gives good results already in the first month of therapy. Patients note that the bone apparatus is significantly strengthened, pain and discomfort disappear. Tablets "Fosamsax" can be called one of the best preventive drugs in the treatment of osteoporosis.