What is Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)?
Osteofos Tablets contain a medicine called Alendronate Sodium or Alendronate Acid.
Alendronate is used to prevent and treat certain types of osteoporosis (Bone Loss) in adults. Osteoporosis causes bones to become thinner and break more easily. Your chance of developing osteoporosis increases as you age, after menopause, or if you are taking corticosteroid medications such as prednisone for a long time. Alendronate is in a class of medications called bisphosphonates. It works by preventing bone breakdown and increasing bone density (thickness).
Recommendations for use of Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium) is mainly used for treatment of osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily)
Alendronate may be prescribed for the treatment and prevention of the following conditions:
osteoporosis in women who have undergone menopause
For treatment of osteoporosis in men in general
For treatment of osteoporosis in men and women who are taking corticosteroids.
Alendronate is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone.
Dosage and direction of taking Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Alendronate and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Osteofos by mouth once a day immediately as you get up in the morning before you have a beverage or a meal or other medication.
The tablet should be swallowed with a full glass of water.
Do not chew, break or suck the tablet.
After taking Osteofos stay upright position either sitting, standing, or walking for a mimimum period of 30 minutes. However, preferred time period is 1 to 2 hours
Do NOT lie down or go to sleep until after your first meal
Alendronate works only if taken on an empty stomach.
Your doctor will work out the dosage for you based on your age, medical condition, response to treatment and other medications that you are taking.
Take Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium) exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take in doses which are either larger or for longer than what is recommended by your doctor.
Regular usage will help to get the most from this medication. Take it always at the same time each morning.
It may take 3 months or longer before your bone density begins to increase. Osteofos can helps only as long as it is taken regularly. Continue to take Osteofos even if you feel well.
If dietary intake is inadequate, patients should receive calcium supplement and vitamin D
Missed Dose of Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time to take your next dose. Do not take an dose of medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose of Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
How does Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium) work?
Osteofos which contain alendronate is a bisphosphonate which is a synthetic chemical similar to the naturally occurring mineral in bone called pyrophosphate that mediates bone turnover, a normal part of bone remodelling, which is a dynamic process that allows bones to grow and repair. Alendronate acts directly on bone and binds to hydroxyapatite, specifically at the site of bone resorption and inhibits the action of bone cells called osteoclasts that are responsible for bone resorption. Alendronate has no effect on osteoblast cells that are responsible for bone formation. Osteofos change the balance of bone turnover so that bone breakdown is reduced relative to bone building, which increases bone mass, making bones stronger and more resistant to fracture, which can be painful and cause loss of height if the fracture occurs in the spine. Although alendronate begin working on bone turnover immediately, it may take several months before measurable effects on bone mass may be seen.
Precautions before taking Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to alendronate or any other medications.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist, if your are taking any of the following:
Angiogenesis inhibitors such as bevacizumab, everolimus, pazopanib, sorafenib, or sunitinib
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
cancer chemotherapy
oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone and prednisone
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
if you are taking any other medications including supplements, vitamins, or antacids by mouth, take them at least 30 minutes after you take alendronate.
Tell your doctor if you cannot sit upright for at least 30 minutes and if you ever have had a low level of calcium in your blood or any problems with your esophagus. In which case, your doctor may tell you that you should not take alendronate.
Tell your doctor if are undergoing radiation therapy and if you have or have ever had anemia or a low level of vitamin D in your body, or difficulty swallowing or heartburn or ulcers or other stomach problems or cancer or any type of infection, especially in your mouth or dental or kidney disease.
if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding. Also tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant at any time in the future, because alendronate may remain in your body for years after you stop taking it. Call your doctor if you become pregnant during or after your treatment.
you should know that alendronate may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw especially if you have dental surgery or treatment while you are taking the medication. A dentist should examine your teeth and perform any needed treatments, including cleaning or fixing ill-fitted dentures, before you start to take alendronate. Be sure to brush your teeth and clean your mouth properly while you are taking alendronate. Talk to your doctor before having any dental treatments while you are taking this medication.
you should know that alendronate may cause severe bone, muscle, or joint pain. Call your doctor right away if you experience severe pain at any time during your treatment with alendronate. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking alendronate and your pain may go away after you stop taking the medication.
talk to your doctor about other things you can do to prevent osteoporosis from developing or worsening. Your doctor will probably tell you to avoid smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol and to follow a regular program of weight-bearing exercise.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Alendronate together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
Alendronate may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Alendronate.
nausea
stomach pain
constipation
diarrhea
gas
bloating or fullness in the stomach
change in ability to taste food
headache
dizziness
swelling of the joints, hands, or legs
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately before you take any more alendronate:
new or worsening heartburn
difficulty swallowing
pain on swallowing
chest pain
bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
black, tarry, or bloody stools
fever
blisters or peeling skin
rash (may be made worse by sunlight)
itching
hives
swelling of eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
difficulty breathing
hoarseness
painful or swollen gums
loosening of the teeth
numbness or heavy feeling in the jaw
poor healing of the jaw
eye pain
dull, aching pain in the hips, groin, or thighs
Taking a bisphosphonate medication such as alendronate for osteoporosis may increase the risk that you will break your thigh bone. You may feel pain in your hips, groin, or thighs for several weeks or months before the bone break, and you may find that one or both of your thigh bones have broken even though you have not fallen or experienced other trauma. It is unusual for the thigh bone to break in healthy people, but people who have osteoporosis may break this bone even if they do not take alendronate. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking alendronate.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed by the lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Interaction with Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
Severe interactions of alendronate include human parathyroid hormone, recombinant
Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
Aluminum hydroxide
Calcium acetate
calcium carbonate
calcium chloride
calcium citrate
calcium gluconate
deferasirox
nizatidine
sodium bicarbonate
sodium citrate/citric acid
sucroferric oxyhydroxide
trimagnesium citrate anhydrous
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Alendronate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Storage of Osteofos (Alendronate Sodium)
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 77°F); protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Alendronate tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Alendronate should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Alendronate or Osteofos
Formula: Alendronate | C4H13NO7P2
0 