What Is Fosamax Used For?

Fractures can occur easily when bones become thin and porous. Medications like Fosamax are bisphosphonates that slow the rate of bone loss in postmenopausal women. Indivduals who take Fosamax to treat or prevent osteoporisis also need to eat a healthy diet, along with taking calcium and vitamin D supplements for healthy bones. Fosamax works by slowing bone density loss and increasing bone mass, thereby preventing bone fractures. Bisphosphonates are also used to treat Paget's disease and osteoporosis induced by steroid use.

Considerations

• Take Fosamax the first thing in the morning before eating or drinking, or taking any other medications--including over-the-counter vitamins, herbals, antacids or calcium supplements--as they can interfere with how your body absorbs the drug. As with all other medications, take it exactly as directed. Swallow the tablet whole with 6 to 8 oz. plain water. Only take Fosamax if you can sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication, as it can cause digestive problems or problems with swallowing.

Prevention/Solution

• Bone mineral density should be tested regularly in order to monitor the medication's effectiveness on the condition. For individuals already diagnosed with osteoporosis, Fosamax may slow or stop the progress of the disease by helping to rebuild bone, making it less prone to fracture.

Expert Insight

• Doctors recommend that if you forget to take the daily tablet first thing in the morning, you should not take it later in the day. Skip the missed dose and then wait until the following morning to take the medication. You should never take two tablets in one day. If you forget to take the once-weekly Fosamax tablet on your scheduled day, take it first thing in the morning on the day after. Return to your regular weekly schedule. Some health experts suggest not taking the drug for a year or two if bones have improved. This may help to minimize the potential risks during long-term use.

Effects

• Get immediate emergency medical help if you break out in hives, have difficulty breathing, or if your face, lips, tongue, or throat begin to swell. These are all signs of a serious allergic reaction. You should stop using the medication and contact your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing, experience chest pain, or suffer worsening heartburn. Severe joint pain and pain and numbness of the jaw should be reported to your health care provider as well. Less serious side effects of the drug include mild upset stomach, constipation, weakness, back pain or headache.

Warning

• Studies report that Fosamax can actually leave bones more susceptible to infection and disease. By leaving the body unable to fight off infection, bacteria that reach the jawbone can develop into osteocronosis (deterioration of the jaw), especially following dental procedures. Other people at particularly high risk for these side effects include cancer patients who receive the medication through intravenous injection, in addition to individuals who have been treated with the drug for more than 5 years.

Benefits

• Since Fosamax is not an estrogen, it does not carry the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy. If used in combination with HRT, the risk of fracture may be reduced even more. Fosamax alone has been shown to reduce the risk of hip fractures by as much as 50 percent in women with a history of bone fracture after taking the medication for 3 years. Fosamax works by increasing bone mineral density, thereby reducing the risk of fractures of the hips and spine.

Misconceptions

• Although a person's bones may get thinner as she grows older, that does not necessarily mean that bones are unhealthy. Many people who suffer bone fractures have normal bone density. While some people who have several of the risk factors and a history of previous bone fractures may benefit from taking Fosamax, other people may be able to prevent osteoporosis with healthy lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise.