ask your pharmacist

What is Fosamax?

In clinical studies involving women with osteoporosis, Fosamax reduced the incidence of hip fractures from 2 in 100 women to 1 in 100 women. It reduced the incidence of wrist fractures from 4 in 100 women to 2 in 100 women. Both of these reductions were over a 3-year period of time. Also, Fosamax was found to increase bone mass by 1 to 4 percent. A recent study established that similar benefits also hold true for men. Researchers showed that taking Fosamax for 2 years can increase bone density and may prevent spine fractures for men with osteoporosis. To be most effective, Fosamax should be taken with calcium and vitamin D as directed by your doctor.

The usual dose for Fosamax is 5 mg once daily or 35 mg once weekly to prevent osteoporosis. For treatment, the usual dose is 10 mg once daily or 70 mg once weekly. People with Paget's disease generally take 40 mg once daily. You should take Fosamax on an empty stomach along with six to eight ounces of water. For 30 minutes after you take it, don't eat or drink anything except plain water. To help prevent throat irritation, take it when you get up rather than at bedtime, and don't lie down for 30 minutes after taking it. Also, swallow tablets immediately rather than suck or chew them.

Sources:
Black, D.M. "Randomized Trial of Effect of Alendronate on Risk of Fracture in Women with Existing Vertebral Fractures," Lancet 348 (1996).
Fosamax product information, Merck & Co., 1997.
Meunier, P.J. "Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: Clinical Guidelines. International Committee for Osteoporosis Clinical Guidelines," Clinical Therapeutics (1999).
Micromedex Healthcare Series. Micromedex, Inc., 2000.
Pols, H.A. "Multinational, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial of the Effects of Alendronate on Bone Density and Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women with Low Bone Mass: Results of the FOSIT Study. Fosamax International Trial Study Group," Osteoporosis International 9 (1999).
Schnitzer T. “Therapeutic Equivalence of Alendronate 70 mg once-weekly and Alendronate 10 mg daily in the Treatment of Osteoporosis: Alendronate Once-Weekly Study Group,” Aging 12 (2000).
Orwoll, E. “Alendronate for the Treatment of Osteoporosis in Men,” New England Journal of Medicine 343 (2000).

This answer prepared 12/14/00.