Alendronate instructions for administration

Instructions for Administration
General Supplemental Calcium and Vitamin D Elderly patients Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women Steoporosis in Ostmenopausal Women Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis in Men and Women Retreatment of Paget's disease

General
FOSAMAX must be taken at least one-half hour before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day with plain water only. Other beverages (including mineral water), food, and some medications are likely to reduce the absorption of FOSAMAX. Waiting less than 30 minutes, or taking FOSAMAX with food, beverages (other than plain water) or other medications will lessen the effect of FOSAMAX by decreasing its absorption into the body. To facilitate delivery to the stomach and thus reduce the potential for esophageal irritation, FOSAMAX should only be swallowed upon arising for the day with a full glass of water (6-8 oz) and patients should not lie down for at least 30 minutes and until after their first food of the day. FOSAMAX should not be taken at bedtime or before arising for the day. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of esophageal adverse experiences. Return to top

Supplemental Calcium and Vitamin D
Patients should receive supplemental calcium and vitamin D, if dietary intake is inadequate. Return to top

Elderly patients
No dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly or for patients with mild-tomoderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance 35 to 60 mL/min). Return to top

Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women
Treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women The recommended dosage is: or Treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis The recommended dosage is one 10 mg tablet once daily. Alternatively, one 70 mg tablet once weekly may be considered. Return to top
 * one 70 mg tablet once weekly
 * one 10 mg tablet once daily

Steoporosis in Ostmenopausal Women
Prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women The recommended dosage is: or Return to top
 * one 35 mg tablet once weekly
 * one 5 mg tablet once daily

Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis in Men and Women
Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women The recommended dosage is one 5 mg tablet once daily, except for postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen, for whom the recommended dosage is one 10 mg tablet once daily. Paget's disease of bone in men and women The recommended treatment regimen is 40 mg once a day for six months. Return to top

Retreatment of Paget's disease
In clinical studies in which patients were followed every six months, relapses during the 12 months following therapy occurred in 9% (3 out of 32) of patients who responded to treatment with FOSAMAX. Specific retreatment data are not available, although responses to FOSAMAX were similar in patients who had received prior bisphosphonate therapy and those who had not. Retreatment with FOSAMAX may be considered, following a six-month post-treatment evaluation period in patients who have relapsed, based on increases in serum alkaline phosphatase, which should be measured periodically. Retreatment may also be considered in those who failed to normalize their serum alkaline phosphatase. Return to top