Alendronate Information
Pronunciation
a LEN droe nate
What is this drug used for?
• It is used to prevent or treat soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis).
• It is used to treat Pagets disease.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
Frequently reported side effects of this drug
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
Other side effects of this drug: Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these signs of:
• Low calcium like muscle cramps or spasms, numbness and tingling, or seizures
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Heartburn
• Trouble swallowing
• Pain when swallowing
• Sore throat
• Vomiting blood
• Severe bone pain
• Severe joint pain
• Severe muscle pain
• Groin, hip, or thigh pain
• Mouth sores
• Jaw pain or swelling
• Signs of a significant reaction like wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:
Alendronate may be confused with risedronate
Fosamax may be confused with Flomax, Fosamax Plus D, fosinopril, Zithromax
International issues:
Fosamax [US, Canada, and multiple international markets] may be confused with Fisamox brand name for amoxicillin [Australia]
Storage and Stability
Oral solution: Store at 25°C (77°F), excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Do not freeze.
Tablet (Fosamax): Store at room temperature of 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Keep in well-closed container.
Tablet, effervescent (Binosto): Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect from moisture. Store in original blister package until use.
Adverse Reactions
Central nervous system: Headache
Endocrine & metabolic: Decreased serum calcium (transient, mild), decreased serum phosphate (transient, mild)
Gastrointestinal: Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, dysphagia, esophageal ulcer, flatulence, gastric ulcer (may be severe with complications), gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, melena, nausea
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Muscle cramps, musculoskeletal pain (includes bone pain, joint pain, and muscle pain)
Rare but important or life-threatening: Alopecia, conjunctivitis, duodenal ulcer (may be severe with complications), dysgeusia, episcleritis, erythema, erosive esophagitis, esophageal perforation, esophageal stenosis, esophageal ulcer, esophagitis, exacerbation of asthma, femur fracture (low energy fractures, including subtrochanteric and diaphyseal), hypersensitivity reaction (includes angioedema and urticaria), hypocalcemia (symptomatic), joint swelling, malaise, oropharyngeal ulcer, osteonecrosis of the jaw, peripheral edema, scleritis, skin rash (occasionally with photosensitivity), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, uveitis, vertigo, weakness
