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Can Citracal Be Substituted for Fosamax?

Citracal should never be substituted for Fosamax, as the two drugs contain different ingredients and work differently in the body. Your doctor may prescribe Fosamax, or alendronate, to treat or prevent osteoporosis. Over-the-counter calcium supplements such as Citracal, or calcium citrate, may prevent calcium deficiency and act as an antacid, but they should not be used to treat any diseases alone.

  1. Osteoporosis

    • Osteoporosis, a bone disease characterized by the gradual loss of bone tissue and density, affects approximately 10 million Americans. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognize osteoporosis as the most common type of bone disease.

    Biphosphonates

    • Doctors commonly prescribe biphosphates, which include alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel), for the treatment of osteoporosis. Biphosphonates decrease the risk of spinal and hip fractures.

    Alendronate

    • According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, alendronate increases bone mineral density by inhibiting bone loss. Alendronate treats and prevents osteoporosis in both men and women and treats Paget's disease of the bone in symptomatic patients.

    Calcium Citrate

    • Over-the-counter calcium supplements such as Citracal can treat and prevent calcium deficiency and act as an antacid. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking calcium supplements like calcium citrate and calcium carbonate either to accompany osteoporosis treatment or to prevent osteoporosis.

    Considerations

    • Most cases of osteoporosis require treatment with prescription medications. Supplements such as calcium citrate, when taken alone, do not provide an acceptable treatment for bone diseases. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any new over-the-counter drugs or supplements.

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