Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a violation of bone structure and a decrease in bone mass, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. The problem of osteoporosis is quite acute all over the world, in 90% of cases severe fractures occur spontaneously in old age. In addition, 50% of injured patients cannot continue to do without outside assistance.
One of the consequences of osteoporosis can also be curvature of the spine, which affects both the appearance of the person and the possibility of his free movement.
To reduce the impact of the disease on the body, as well as to avoid serious consequences, it is necessary to carry out timely and high-quality prevention and treatment. Like any other disease, osteoporosis can be treated with drugs. One of the most effective drugs in the treatment of osteoporosis, according to many experts, is the drug "Forosa", instructions for use, the price and reviews of which are described below.
Description of the drug
The drug is available in the form of white round tablets, which are coated for effectiveness and ease of use. The active substance of the drug "Forosa" instructions for use indicate sodium alendronad, which belongs to the category of bisphosphonates. This substance, without having a direct effect on bone formation, is able to restore bone tissue using osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are giant cells that control the amount of bone tissue and are necessary for resorption of bone structures. Osteoblasts create new bone tissue, and osteoclasts are engaged in the destruction of the old.
When treating with the help of the drug “Forosa” (instructions for use note this), the process of not only restoring the bone, but also updating it takes place. Thus, a new bone is formed in patients with all its initial properties. In addition, the drug "Forosa" is recommended to be taken regardless of the cause and nature of osteoporosis. For example, osteoporosis often occurs in women after menopause.
Indications for use of the drug
Tablets "Forosa", the price of which ranges from an average of 539 to 590 rubles for 4 pcs., Shown in the following cases:
- In the treatment of osteoporosis in women in the postmenopausal period, including to reduce the risk of compression fractures of the femoral neck and spine.
- In treating osteoporosis in men, the goal is to prevent fractures.
- In the treatment of osteoporosis, the cause of which is the prolonged use of GCS (glucocorticosteroids).
Contraindications to the use of the drug "Forosa"
The instruction for the drug contains information on the following contraindications for its use:
- Achalasia or strictures of the esophagus, as well as other conditions that can lead to slower movement of food through the esophagus.
- Hypersensitivity of the patient to alendronate or other components that make up the product.
- Hypocalcemia.
- The patient's inability to sit or stand for 30 minutes.
- Severe violation of mineral metabolism.
- Lactation and pregnancy.
- Childhood.
With special care, the drug should be taken to patients with various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as:
- gastritis;
- dysphagia;
- hypovitaminosis D;
- duodenitis;
- peptic ulcer in the acute stage, etc.
The use of the drug during pregnancy and lactation
There is no data on the safety of the use of alendronic acid by pregnant women. Studies were conducted only on animals, as a result of which a dysfunction of labor related to hypocalcemia was found, as well as a violation of the formation of bone tissue in the fetus when using large doses of alendronic acid. Use the drug during pregnancy is not necessary, as evidenced by the drug "Forosa" instructions for use. The price that you have to pay for the consequences of using the drug during pregnancy may be too high.
It is also unknown whether alendronic acid is able to penetrate a woman’s breast milk, therefore, having decided to use “Forosa” as a treatment, one should think about the possibility of stopping breastfeeding.
Dosage and administration of the drug "Forosa"
Instructions for use state that the drug “Forosa” was created for the treatment of osteoporosis. In addition, the drug can significantly reduce the risk of fractures of the spine and hip bones. But the main thing that you need to consider when taking the drug is the rules of administration and dosage. The medicine is taken orally, as it is available in the form of tablets. One tablet of the product, whose weight is 70 mg, is recommended to be taken once a week, as reviews show about the Forosa preparation, this is quite enough for a safe and effective effect on the human body.
As for the time of taking the medicine, it is necessary to take it in the morning, almost immediately after waking up. This condition is mandatory, as the funds should be taken on an empty stomach. The taken tablet should be washed down with a sufficient amount of clean water. It is also worth noting that eating after using the drug “Forosa”, the instructions for use recommends no earlier than 30 minutes. This also applies to taking any drinks other than water, as well as other medicines, since all this can reduce the effect on the body of the components of “Forosa”.
Given the foregoing, we can note the following rules for taking the drug:
- The pill should be taken in the morning, washed down with a full glass of clean water.
- It is necessary to swallow the pill whole without chewing it, as some of its components are able to negatively affect the mucous membrane.
- The patient should not go to bed for 30 minutes after taking the drug “Forosa” (tablets), before the first meal.
Side effects from taking the drug “Forosa”
Given that a person may be sensitive to certain components of the drug, various side effects may appear, which are indicated by the Forosa preparation instructions. The price of the drug is quite high, so you should pay attention to side effects. There is no specific list of violations from the use of the drug, since they are determined by the body on which the medicine acts. So, if the remedy caused disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, fairly frequent headaches will occur. Side effects also include disorders of the musculoskeletal and digestive systems, which can cause abdominal pain, stool disturbance, bloating, dizziness, pain in joints and muscles, and others.
That's because of all this, before taking the drug, it is necessary to carefully study the indications and contraindications for use. And only after studying the composition of the medicine, as well as making sure that it contains no harmful components for your body, you can take the drug.
It is forbidden to take the drug “Forosa” for some diseases of the esophagus, such as achalasia, as well as for hypocalcemia. You should not take the medicine to people who are not able to be standing or sitting for half an hour.
In rare cases, as reviews show about the drug “Forosa”, small allergic reactions in the form of skin rash, skin hyperemia, urticaria, photosensitivity and fever are possible.
Overdose with the drug "Forosa"
It is with great responsibility that you take the drug, because an overdose can cause quite serious consequences. So, an increased dose of the drug can cause diseases such as hopophosphatemia and hypocalcemia. In addition, there are cases when, due to improper administration of the drug, indigestion, ulcer, gastritis, heartburn, and much more were manifested.
There is no specific amount of the drug that causes an overdose, but in case of its symptoms, you need to drink the patient a large amount of milk, which is able to bind alendronad. Supporting the patient is recommended in an upright position. Do not induce vomiting in the patient, since the components of “Forosa” can cause disturbances in the work of the esophagus.
special instructions
It is very important to drink the medicine only with clean water, other drinks negatively affect the absorption of the drug. It is not recommended to take alendronad before bedtime or in a supine position, as there is a risk of developing esophagitis. Before taking the drug, it is necessary to correct hypocalcemia, as well as other metabolic disorders. Due to the increase in bone mineral density during treatment with alendronad, a slight asymptomatic decrease in the level of phosphates and calcium in the blood is possible, especially for patients who take glucocorticosteroids (GCS), because of which calcium absorption can be reduced. Therefore, it is especially important for patients taking GCS, the intake of a sufficient amount of vitamin D and calcium.
If you accidentally missed taking the medicine (with a dosage of 1 tablet 1 time per week), you need to take 1 tablet in the morning of the next day, it is forbidden to take 2 tablets in one day. Next, you need to continue taking the drug 1 tablet on the day of the week selected at the beginning of therapy.
Some features
There is also evidence that in patients with osteoporosis taking bisphosphonates, osteonecrosis of the jaw was observed. Therefore, before taking bisphosphonates, you need to undergo a dental examination. During therapy, patients should avoid dental intervention. If patients have osteonecrosis of the jaw during treatment with bisphosphonates, dental intervention can only aggravate their condition.
Long-term use of alendronic acid can lead to low-energy fractures of the proximal femur diaphysis. Fractures can occur even with minimal or no trauma.
For each patient, the decision on therapy with the help of the “Forosa” preparation should be taken individually, after a detailed assessment of the benefit / risk ratio.
Alendronic acid does not affect the ability to drive a car, as well as classes in various activities that require an increased concentration of attention.
Drug interaction
It is not recommended to take the drug with other drugs, because they can reduce the absorption of the drug. Other medicines, as well as food, can be taken no earlier than half an hour after the preparation “Forosa” was taken. The price of the drug is quite high, so for greater effectiveness, you should fully adhere to the instructions.
From the gastrointestinal tract, side effects of alendronic acid can be enhanced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including acetylsalicylic acid.
The release form of the drug “Forosa”, analogues
The drug is produced in the form of film-coated tablets, the active substance in which 70 mg. Packed tablets with blisters from 2 to 12 pieces in a cardboard box.
Among the analogues of the drug, the most popular are:
- Tevanat (Israel);
- Alendronat (Russia);
- Fosamax (Netherlands);
- Ostalon (Poland).
The drug "Forosa": reviews
The drug "Forosa" is widely used by both women and men with problems of osteoporosis. Many doctors recommend a drug to prevent the development of fractures of the hip and spine bones.
Many patients after prolonged use of the drug note a decrease in pain in the spine. After the first dose of Forosa, as shown by reviews of some patients, nausea, bloating and even heartburn can be noticed, but soon everything goes away. Further treatment with the medication is generally good.