Overview of Fosamax:
Fosamax is a brand-name prescription. It is used to treat and prevent thinning of the bone in women after menopause. It treats osteoporosis in males, osteoporosis that occurs from glucocorticoids, and Paget’s disease of bone. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
1- tablets
2- tablets, effervescent
3- solution
Does Fosamax cause any teeth-related side effects?
Yes, Fosamax can cause teeth-related side effects. Although very rare, this medication can cause jaw osteonecrosis. Osteonecrosis is a condition where your bone tissue doesn’t get enough blood supply and eventually dies. This condition may cause dental symptoms:
Loose teeth
Jaw pain
Numbness of the jaw
Exposed jawbone in your mouth
If you have symptoms of jaw osteonecrosis, your doctor may recommend stopping Fosamax treatment. In this case, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.
Does Fosamax have side effects on hair loss?
You may have hair loss during your treatment of Fosamax. If you have noticed hair loss during taking this medicine talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your hair loss. They may be able to recommend using an over-the-counter medication, such as Rogaine (minoxidil).
Common side effects
Common Fosamax side effects include:
Diarrhea
Nausea
Heartburn
Headache
Bone pain
Gas
Indigestion
To get more information about strep throat and other drugs see this article.
Before using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking a drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women to determine infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. In addition, it’s not known if Fosamax is safe to take while breastfeeding. It’s not known if the drug passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on a breastfed child.
More information about Fosamax: For details on other aspects of Fosamax, refer to this article.
Pediatric:
The use of Fosamax is not indicated for children.
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of alendronate in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of the medicine than younger adults.
Bone pain
It’s possible to develop bone pain from taking Fosamax. Bone pain was a common side effect reported in the clinical trials of the drug. In most cases, bone pain is mild. However, it’s also possible to experience severe bone pain for taking Fosamax. Bone pain or muscle pain was reported most often in postmenopausal females.
Constipation
You may experience constipation from taking Fosamax. Constipation was one of the most common side effects reported in clinical trials. Symptoms of constipation may include passing hard, lumpy stools and straining to use the bathroom.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects include:
Sunlight sensitive rash
Swelling in the face, throat, and tongue
Itching or eye pain
Mouth ulcers
Femur fracture from Fosamax
Esophagus problems
tearing
Dosage
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or directions on the label. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For treatment of Paget’s disease of bone:
Adults 40 mg once a day for six months. Your doctor may tell you to repeat this dose.
Children’s use is not recommended.
For treatment of postmenopausal osteonecrosis:
Adults 70 mg once a week at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water.
Children’s use is not recommended.
For treatment of osteonecrosis in men:
Adults 10 mg once a day or 70 mg once a week at least before the first food or drink of the day other than water.
Children’s is not recommended.
Missed dose
If you miss the dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. For patients taking the medicine each day: if you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine in the morning, skip the missed dose and take your medicine next morning. Do not take the two tablets on the same day. If you are on a weekly schedule and miss a dose of this medicine, take it the next morning after you remember.
Storage
All the medicine was kept out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Protect the effervescent tablet from moisture and do not remove it from the blister pack until you are ready to use it.
Alcohol and Fosamax
Fosamax isn’t known to interact with alcohol. However, it’s possible that drinking large amounts of alcohol over time can increase your risk of osteoporosis. If you already have osteoporosis, drinking alcohol may make your condition worse. Alcohol can change the way that your body absorbs calcium and vitamin D which can worsen your symptoms of osteoporosis.
Precaution
If you are taking this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and watch for unwanted effects. This medicine can irritate your Esophagus. Call your doctor right away if you think this medicine has started to damage your esophagus. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
I am a medical student. I researched Fosamax’s side effects on teeth.
Writer name:
Ifrah Khalid