Fosamax®

Explanation / definition

Fosamax® is a drug used to treat osteoporosis (bone loss). It belongs to the group of bisphosphonates, which inhibit the activity of the body's own osteoclasts (naturally occurring cells that break down bone). Its bone-degrading influence predominates in many women after the menopause, which is why osteoporosis (bone loss) develops. The consequences of an osteoporosis disease can be broken bones with only minor trauma caused by an accident. Fractures of the vertebral body and femoral neck are particularly common.

Trade name

Trade name:

  • Fosamax® once a week 70 mg tablets
    Fosamax® 10 mg tablets once a day

Manufacturer: MSD SHARP & DOHME GMBH

Alternative preparatione:

  • Fosavance®, Bonviva®, Aclasta® (bisphosphonate)
  • Protelos® (strontium)
  • Prolia® (antibody)
  • Evista® (smore elective ÖestrogenR.eceptorM.modulator (SERM))

Chemical name

Sodium alendronate
Alendronate
Generally also as Alendronic acid designated.

Active ingredient

4-amino-1-hydroxybutylidene diphosphonic acid

application areas

Fosamax® is a drug used to treat osteoporosis (bone loss) in postmenopausal women (postmenopausal women; estrogen-Defect).

The aim is to prevent further bone loss and thereby the risk for you Vertebral fracture or one Femoral neck fracture to diminish.

Dosage form

Tablets / film-coated tablets

effect

After absorption in the intestine, Fosamax® is partly stored in the bones and partly excreted via the kidneys. In the bone, Fosamax® binds to certain proteins of osteoclasts and thereby inhibits them. The osteoclasts' bone-degrading effect decreases.
As a result, the bone-building activity predominates, the osteoporosis decreases.

application

Long-term use of Fosamax® should not be done without consulting your doctor.

It should be taken in the morning. One recommendation is to take the drug before washing in the morning.

It should always be taken on the same day of the week.

Fosamax® once a week 70 mg tablets must be on an empty stomach stomach Swallowed (swallowed) with a full glass of tap water (not mineral water) 30 minutes before any further food intake (eating or drinking).

Do not chew or suck the tablet.

For at least 30 minutes after taking the medication, an upright posture should be maintained so that the mucous membrane irritating effect of Fosamax® once a week 70 mg tablets on the top Gastrointestinal tract is minimized. Not lie down again!

dosage

Fosamax® once a week 70 mg tablets are taken as described above and the name of the preparation suggests it once a week.

Alternatively, Fosamax® is also available in 10 mg tablets. In this dosage form, the tablets are taken once a day

Dose changes due to a heavier or lighter one osteoporosis are not provided.

It is essential to follow the instructions for use.

Side effects

Only those are listed very frequent (> 10%) to frequent (1-10%) Side effects; Occasional, rare or very rare side effects are not listed !:

Very often:

  • Temporary, slight drop in the calcium - and / or phosphate concentration in the blood serum.

Frequently:

  • a headache
  • Bone, muscle or joint pain
  • stomach pain
  • Indigestion
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • Flatulence
  • Ulcers of the esophagus
  • difficulties swallowing
  • Bloated body
  • Acid regurgitation / Reflux

Rare:

  • Pine necrosis (death of bone tissue in the jaw area)

A topic on that primarily deals with the side effects of this group of active ingredients (group of Bisphosphonates) is busy Side effect of bisphosphonates.

Interactions

Various drugs can reduce the absorption of Fosamax® if taken at the same time. Therefore, Fosamax® should, as explained in the application descriptions, at least 30 minutes before any other food or drug intake with tap water! be taken.

Since alendronate forms insoluble complexes with calcium and other mineral salts, Fosamax® must not be taken with mineral water, juices or milk. Otherwise the absorption of Fosamax® is not guaranteed.

Always read the package insert for your Fosamax® 70 mg drug once a week!

Contraindications

Who can / should Fosamax ® Do not take:

  • Patients with a allergy against the active ingredient alendronate / alendronic acid or other drug components.
  • Patients with severe renal impairment
  • Patients with diseases of the esophagus.
  • Patients with diseases that require transportation in the stomach can delay (e.g. swallowing disorders, movement disorders of the esophagus)
  • Patients during pregnancy and lactation (see Breastfeeding)
  • Patients with decreased calciumcontent in the blood serum.
  • Patients unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes.
  • Patients With Gastrointestinal Ulcers / Gastrointestinal bleeding within the last year
  • Patients who have had upper digestive tract surgery within the past year
  • children

price

Since there is always talk of cost pressure in the healthcare sector, we believe it is important to also find out prices for drugs (prices are exemplary and not recommended):

Fosamax® 70 mg tablets 4 tablets (N1) € 51.01

Fosamax® 70 mg tablets 12 tablets (N1) € 124.04

Fosamax® 10 mg tablets 14 tablets (N1) € 29.57

Fosamax® 10 mg tablets 112 tablets (N3) € 162.67

Prescription requirement

There is a prescription requirement for all dosages!

Information on Bone density measurement do you think ...? Find here.

Appointment with ?

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)

In order to be able to treat successfully in orthopedics, a thorough examination, diagnosis and a medical history are required.
In our very economic world in particular, there is too little time to thoroughly grasp the complex diseases of orthopedics and thus initiate targeted treatment.
I don't want to join the ranks of "quick knife pullers".
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You will find me:

  • Lumedis - orthopedic surgeons
    Kaiserstrasse 14
    60311 Frankfurt am Main

You can make an appointment here.
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
For more information about myself, see Lumedis - Orthopedists.