Bones are the essential parts of the human skeleton as:
- They hold the whole human body together.
- They provide support and freedom for movement to the body.
Another important point about bones is that:
- They contain most of the calcium supply of the human body.
Bones are living tissues having the property of constantly breaking and replacing.For the proper functioning of the human body, functioning of bones should also be perfect. Due to certain reasons when bones don’t work properly one needs their treatment by different medications. One of the medicines which are used commonly in the treatment of bone disorders is Bisphosphonates. It is a group of drugs to treat Osteoporosis.
This drug Alendronate belongs to Bisphosphonates and is a prescribed drug to prevent and Treat Osteoporosis.
In this bone disorder, Osteoporosis, the bones become so much thinner that they can be breakable easily. It may develop due to the use of steroids, gondal failure or caused by menopause.
Alendronate is available in markets as Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, Binosto (Brand Names).
Symptoms of Osteoporosis:
Some common symptoms of Osteoporosis are as follows:
- Stooped Posture
- Loss of height
- Back pain induced due to collapsed or fractured vertebra
- Decreased grip strength
- Weak and brittle fingernails
- Receding gums and bone loss from jaws
Miacalcin: Proficient Calcitonin for Firm Bones:
This drug is available in the form of nasal spray and contains Calcitonin in it which is necessary for strong bones. Calcitonin reduces the risk of bone fracture by slowing the bone loss and thus helps to maintain strong bones.
Miacalcin is primarily used to treat Osteoporosis in Women who have undergone menopause.
Miacalcin nasal spray is used exactly according to the directions given by the doctor and provided on the label.
Alendronate Uses:
Some of Alendronate Uses are as given below:
Fosamax is used to prevent and treat Osteoporosis in
- Women: who are undergone menopause (end of menstrual cycle)
- Men: to increase bone mass
- Men and Women: to prevent and Treat Osteoporosis due to long term use of corticosteroids.
It is also used in the treatment of Paget’s Disease of bones.
Alendronate is the FDA approved drug and a prescribed medicine for the prevention and treatment of certain bone disorders (Osteoporosis).
Alendronate Dosage:
Patients should take the medicines according to the instructions provided by the doctor and he/she should rigorously follow the instructions given on the label of the medicine. There are different Doses for different patients which are determined according to their age. The amount of drug that patient is taking or going to take depends on the strength of the medicine. While the duration of usage of a medicine depends upon the problem or disease for which the patient is taking that particular medicine.
Alendronate should be taken either once a day or one tablet in a week. The effervescent tablet, Fosamax should be taken as first thing in the morning at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything and swallowed as a whole. One important thing that patients should remember is that they should not miss the dose or they are not allowed to change the dose or to leave the use of medicine without permission from their consultant.
The duration of the treatment course of alendronate is 3-5 years.
Different Alendronate Dosages are as follows:
Oral Dosage forms(Effervescent tablets)
- Osteoporosis treatment in men:
Adults: 70 mg once in a week at morning
Before 30 mins of having first food or drink(except water)of the day
Children: Drug use is not recommended.
- Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis:
Adults: 70 mg once in a week at morning
Before 30 mins of having first food or drink(except water) of the day
Children:Drug use is not recommended.
- Treatment of Corticosteroids induced Osteoporosis:
Adults: 5 mg once a day at morning
Before 30 mins of having first food or drink(except water) of the day
The Postmenopausal women who are not receiving estrogen the dose is 10 mg once a day.
Children: Drug use is not recommended.
- Treatment of Osteoporosis in Men:
Adults: 10 mg once a day or 70 mg once a week at morning
Before 30 mins of having first food or drink(except water) of the day
Children: Drug use is not recommended.
- Treatment of Paget’s Disease:
Adults: 40 mg once a day
Duration: for 6 months
Children: Drug use is not recommended.
Alendronate Contraindications:
The use of Alendronate is contraindicated in:
- Hypersensitivity
- Hypoglycemia
- If the patient is unable to stand or sit upright for 30 minutes
Alendronate Interactions:
The effect of drugs may alter due to their interactions with other medicines. These interactions may lead to serious side effects. To prevent serious side effects due to those interactions, the patient should tell the doctor about all his/her previous medical history. And the other important thing is that the patient should not start, stop or change the Dosage of any medicine without telling his/her doctor.
Alendronate has moderate interactions with other drugs like:
- Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide
- Calcium Gluconate
- Nizatidine
- Calcium Acetate
- Calcium Citrate
- Levothyroxine
- NSAIDS
- Aspirin
And many other drugs.
Alendronate Precautions:
Presence of any other disease or disorder can worsen the condition of the patient so make sure to tell your consultant about your condition if you have any other disease especially among them:
- Dental Problems
- Dental procedures
- Anemia
- Cancer
- Poor oral hygiene
- Hypocalcemia
- Kidney problems
- Infections
- Heart Diseases
- Heart failure
- Heart Valve problems
- Heart blood vessel problems
- Stomach Problems
Alendronate Side Effects:
Alendronate may cause some serious side effects if you suffer from any of them immediately consult with your doctor.
- Chest pain
- Severe Heartburn
- Jaw pain
- Numbness
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
- Coughing up blood
- Unusual pain in thigh or hip
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bone pain, joint or muscle pain
The use of Alendronate has been cautioned during pregnancy or in case the patient has plans to be pregnant in future.
Effects of Fosamax on unborn babies are not known.
Use caution with the use of Alendronate if you are breastfeeding a baby, because it is unknown if the drug is excreted in breast milk or not.
Alendronate Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Used for both men and women
- Affordable generic Alendronate tablets are easily available
- Drug of choice for treatment of Osteoporosis
Cons:
- It can cause serious issues to
- Jaws
- Muscles
- Joints
- Stomach Problems
- Patient has to remain upright after taking Fosamax.
- It can’t be taken in pregnancy and lactation.
