With age, all body systems begin to work in slow motion. Chronic diseases appear that bring a lot of discomfort. It is rarely possible to do without the help of a qualified specialist. In women, health problems begin to appear most often during menopause. Osteoporosis is a disease that every second representative of the weaker sex faces after 50 years. As a prophylactic, Fosamax tablets can be used. Instructions for use describe how to use the drug correctly.
Release form composition and packaging
The bone resorption inhibitor is available in white tablets. The main active ingredient is sodium alendronate. Microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous lactose, croscarmellose sodium, and also magnesium stearate act as auxiliary substances. The drug goes to pharmacies in blisters packaged in cardboard boxes.
Fosamax tablets should be used strictly for their intended purpose. Instructions for use indicate that the drug refers to bisphosphonates, which can accumulate in areas of active bone resorption. Directly acting component does not affect bone formation. Therefore, it does not make sense to use it to treat an existing fracture.
The bioavailability of the drug is 65%, provided that the tablets are taken on an empty stomach. Medication is not recommended immediately after breakfast. About 50% of the active substance is excreted with urine within two days.
Indications
In women who have already entered the period of menopause, bone mass is significantly reduced. As a result, the risk of fractures increases. Most often, the spine, wrist and thigh are affected. In both older women and men, the rate of bone resorption is an order of magnitude higher than the rate of bone formation. Even a small bruise can cause a fracture. To avoid such situations, experts prescribe the appropriate drug. Instructions for use, price should be studied before starting to use the Fosamax product. Reviews about the drug show that it belongs to a low price category. The drug can be found in almost every pharmacy.
The drug may also be used to treat
Paget's disease. In this case, the drug is most often used in a hospital setting.
Contraindications
Fosamax tablets should not be used without prior consultation with a doctor. Instructions for use describe diseases in which a medication can only cause harm. The medicine cannot be used for hypercalcemia, as well as ailments of the esophagus that slow its emptying. No pills are prescribed for achalasia. With caution. Prescribe the drug for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, dysphagia.
In order for the active ingredient to be able to absorb well, the patient needs to sit upright or stand for half an hour. If this is not possible, the drug is also not prescribed. Some patients may develop hypersensitivity to one of the components of the drug. If any allergic reactions occur, it is necessary to suspend treatment and consult a doctor.
special instructions
Any bisphosphonates can cause severe irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Fosamasks tablets are no exception. The instruction for use states that during the treatment period patients may experience such unpleasant consequences as ulcers of the esophagus, erosion. Patients who already have problems with the gastrointestinal tract should better refuse treatment with bisphosphonates.
The risk of side effects increases in those patients who take the drug "Fosamax" incorrectly. Instructions for use, price, reviews, dosage - all this must be studied before treatment begins. Particular attention should be paid to contraindications. Using the drug without first consulting a doctor is highly discouraged. You should immediately seek medical help if during the treatment there are pains behind the sternum or when swallowing, heartburn worsens. Such symptoms may indicate the development of peptic ulcer of the mucosa.
In pediatrics, the drug is not used. Children who suffer from frequent fractures are prescribed other drugs that are not part of the bisphosphonate group.
Dosage
Tablets are recommended to 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 medicine. Any products can help reduce the bioavailability of the drug. To reduce the negative impact on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, tablets should be taken according to special rules. The medication is used immediately after getting out of bed, washed down with plenty of water. In any case, it is impossible to bite pills. This can contribute to the development of oral ulcers. After taking the drug, you can not go to bed for half an hour. It is recommended to start eating food after two hours.
The dosage of the medicine is determined in accordance with the form of osteoporosis. Indicates that once a week it is enough to take the tablets "Fosamax" instructions for use. Reviews of experts show that such a dosage is optimal for most patients. Additionally, patients are recommended to take preparations 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. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, burning in the throat or stomach, abdominal pain, heartburn have appeared. All this may indicate the development of peptic ulcer. Before arriving at the clinic, you can take milk or antacids. This will help to relate alendronate and unpleasant symptoms will temporarily go away.
To reduce side effects, experts do not recommend inducing vomiting. It is necessary to maintain an upright position until the arrival of emergency care. Fosamax tablets cannot be used uncontrollably. Instructions for use, price, analogues, the correct dosage - all this should be known in advance from your doctor. Unpleasant consequences that may occur due to improper administration of the medicine are often very difficult to eliminate.
Drug interaction
Absorption of the main active ingredients may be impaired if tablets are used in conjunction with calcium preparations and antacids. Therefore, the interval between taking individual drugs should be at least an hour. During the treatment period, you should not use medicines that adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract. You will also have to give up alcohol, sour and salty foods.
Significantly increase the adverse effects of the gastrointestinal tract in patients who take acetylsalicylic acid in parallel. Given that Fosamax tablets are taken once a week, adverse interactions can be minimized.
How to replace the medication?
Describes the exact composition of the drug "Fosamax" instruction. Reviews analogues also have good ones. A specialist will be able to recommend tablets with an identical composition and similar characteristics. The Alendronate tool, named after the active component, is popular. Additionally, substances such as povidone, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose are used. The medicine is most often prescribed to women during menopause as a prophylactic.
Ostalon tablets are another popular remedy that can replace the Fosamaksk medicine. Instructions for use, the price is practically the same. The medicine is dispensed without a prescription. However, using it without first consulting a doctor is still not recommended. Pills have many contraindications. These include vitamin D deficiency, disturbances in mineral metabolism, hypocalcemia. Do not prescribe the drug to children, as well as women during pregnancy and lactation.
Reviews about the drug "Fosamax"
Provided that it is taken correctly, the Fosamax preparation 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 a pharmacy is only 500 rubles. It is no coincidence that it has positive reviews on the Fosamax product. the instruction "Fosamax" (description of the medicine) shows that the correct use of tablets gives good results in the first month of therapy. Patients note that the bone apparatus is significantly strengthened, pain and discomfort go away. Fosamsax tablets can be called one of the best prophylactic drugs in the treatment of osteoporosis.