Alendronate is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in men and women who have experienced menopause (the “change of life,” the end of monthly periods), a condition in which the bones become thin, weak, and easily break. In both men and women using corticosteroids, alendronate is used to treat osteoporosis (a type of medication that may cause osteoporosis in some patients). Additionally, Paget’s disease of the bones is treated with alendronate (a condition in which the bones are soft and weak and may be deformed, painful, or easily broken). Alendronate belongs to the group of drugs known as bisphosphonates. By halting bone deterioration and boosting bone density, it functions (thickness).

There are three oral dosage forms of alendronate: tablets, effervescent tablets, and solutions (liquids). Typically, the solution is ingested once a week in the morning on an empty stomach. The 5-mg and 10-mg tablets are often taken once a day in the morning on an empty stomach, while the 35-mg and 70-mg tablets are typically taken once a week in the morning on an empty stomach. For six months, the 40-mg pills are typically taken once daily in the morning to treat Paget’s disease of the bones. The effervescent tablets are typically taken once a week in the morning on an empty stomach. If there is anything you do not understand about the instructions on your prescription label, contact your doctor or pharmacist to clarify it. Just as prescribed, take alendronate. Take it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less than that amount or more frequently.

If alendronate is not taken as directed, it might not work as intended, hurt the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), or result in mouth sores. If you don’t understand, don’t think you’ll remember, or are unable to follow these directions, tell your doctor right away.

• Before you eat or drink anything, you must take alendronate as soon as you get out of bed in the morning. Never take alendronate before going to sleep or right before getting out of bed for the day.
• Do not eat, drink, or take any other drugs (including vitamins or antacids) for at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate. For at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate, avoid lying down. Until you’ve consumed your first meal of the day and at least 30 minutes have passed, sit or stand straight.
• If you’re taking alendronate pills, you should swallow them with a full glass of water (6 to 8 ounces [180 to 240 mL]). Alendronate pills should never be used with anything other than plain water. This includes tea, coffee, juice, milk, sparkling water, mineral water, and coffee. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole. Avoid sucking on the tablets.
• Drink at least 2 ounces (60 millilitres, or 1/4 cup) of water after taking alendronate oral solution if you’re taking it. Never mix alendronate solution with anything other than plain water, including tea, coffee, juice, milk, mineral water, sparkling water, and beverages with flavours.
• Alendronate effervescent tablets should be dissolved in a full glass (4 ounces [120 millilitres]) of normal, non-carbonated water before consumption if you’re taking them. Never dissolve alendronate effervescent tablets in anything other than plain water, including tea, coffee, juice, milk, mineral water, sparkling water, or sparkling wine. When the effervescence ends, wait at least five minutes before drinking the fluid. Avoid chewing, sucking, and swallowing the effervescent tablets.

Alendronate regulates Paget’s disease of the bones and osteoporosis but does not treat either illness. Your bone density may not start to rise for three months or more. Only when taken consistently does alendronate aid in osteoporosis treatment and prevention. Alendronate should still be used even if you feel OK. Do not discontinue taking alendronate without consulting your doctor, but periodically discuss with them if you still require alendronate.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking alendronate,

• Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you have any pharmaceutical allergies before to taking alendronate.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal items, and prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are now taking or intend to take. Any of the following should be mentioned: angiogenesis inhibitors such as sunitinib (Sutent), pazopanib (Votrient), sorafenib (Nexavar), or everolimus (Afinitor, Zortress); Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Ibu-Tab, Motrin, etc.) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprelan, Naprosyn, etc.); chemotherapy for cancer; or oral steroids such dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Take any oral supplements, vitamins, or antacids at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate if you are also taking any other medications.
• Inform your doctor if you are unable to sit or stand straight for at least 30 minutes, if your blood calcium level is low now or has ever been, if you run the danger of inhaling food or liquids into your lungs, or if you have any esophageal issues. Your doctor might advise against taking alendronate.
• If using the effervescent tablets, inform your doctor if you are receiving radiation treatment or if you are following a sodium-restricted diet; Additionally, if you currently have or ever had any of the following conditions: anaemia (condition in which the red blood cells do not carry enough oxygen to all the parts of the body); low vitamin D levels; difficulty swallowing; heartburn; ulcers or other stomach issues; cancer; any type of infection, particularly in the mouth; issues with your mouth, teeth, or gums; any condition that prevents your blood from clotting normally; dental or kidney disease.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting or nursing a baby. Additionally, let your doctor know if you intend to conceive in the future because alendronate may stay in your system for years after you stop taking it. If you find out you’re pregnant during or after treatment, call your doctor right away.
• It’s important to be aware that alendronate can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a dangerous disorder of the jaw bone, particularly if you have dental care while taking the drug. Before you begin taking alendronate, a dentist should inspect your teeth and carry out any necessary procedures, such as cleaning or repairing ill-fitting dentures. While using alendronate, be sure to brush your teeth and care for your mouth. Before getting any dental work done while taking this medication, see your doctor.
• Alendronate may induce excruciating joint, muscle, or bone pain, so be aware of this. After taking alendronate for the first time, you can experience this pain days, months, or even years later. It’s crucial that you and your doctor are aware that alendronate may be the source of this type of discomfort, even though it may start after you’ve taken the medication for a while. If you ever suffer significant pain while receiving alendronate treatment, call your doctor straight once. The doctor might advise you to stop taking alendronate, and your pain might go away if you do so.
• Consult your doctor about further measures you might take to halt the progression of osteoporosis. Your doctor will probably advise you to quit smoking, limit your alcohol intake, and engage in regular weight-bearing activity.

While taking alendronate, you should consume a lot of calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods and beverages. Your doctor will advise you on the best foods and beverages to consume in order to get the recommended daily servings of these nutrients. Inform your doctor if you have trouble consuming enough of these items. In that situation, your doctor may suggest or prescribe a supplement.

Do not take a missed dose of once-daily alendronate at a later time in the day. Take one pill as usual the next morning and skip the missed dose. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Alendronate is taken once a week; if you miss a dosage, take it the next morning. Then go back to taking one dose on the day you usually do each week. Never take two doses in one day, and never take two doses to make up for a missing one.

Alendronate might have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Stomach bloating or feeling full
• Alterations in food taste
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Swelling in the hands, legs, or joints

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away before taking any more alendronate if you have any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section:

• New or escalating heartburn
• Having trouble swallowing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chest ache
• Vomit that is bloody or resembles coffee grounds
• Bloody, dark, or tarry stools
• Fever
• Flaking or blistering skin
• Rash (may be exacerbated worse by sunlight)
• Itching
• Hives
• Eye, face, lip, tongue, or throat swelling
• Having trouble breathing
• Hoarseness
• Bruised or painful gums
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw tingling or feeling heavy
• Jaw healing is not very good
• Eye discomfort
• Hips, thighs, or groyne: dull, aching ache

Alendronate, a bisphosphonate drug used to treat osteoporosis, may raise your chance of breaking your thigh bone (s). Before the bone(s) break, you may suffer discomfort in your hips, groyne, or thighs for a few weeks or months. You may also discover that one or both of your thigh bones have broken even though you haven’t fallen or been in any other kind of accident. In healthy individuals, it is uncommon for the thigh bone to break, however individuals with osteoporosis may still break this bone even if they do not take alendronate. The dangers of using alendronate should be discussed with your doctor.

Other negative effects of alendronate are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Keep alendronate solution from freezing.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Give the victim a full glass of milk in the event of an overdose, and then dial 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison control centre. Dial 911 to reach your neighborhood’s emergency services if the victim has collapsed or has stopped breathing. Don’t let the victim lie down, and don’t make them throw up.

The following are possible overdose symptoms:

• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Belly discomfort
• Vomit that is bloody or resembles coffee grounds
• Swallowing issues or swallowing discomfort
• Faeces that is bloody or dark and tarry

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor how your body is responding to alendronate, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.