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What is Alendronate Sodium
Alendronic acidThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryAlendronic acid is a medication used to treat certain types of osteoporosis and Paget's disease. It helps protect bones from breaking down and keeps them strong.
Fosamaxis the brand name
Alendronate Sodium Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Fosamax
Alendronic acid
1996
86
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Alendronic acid, also known as Fosamax, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses which include Osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid and Paget’s Disease .Osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid
Paget’s Disease
Osteoporosis
Postmenopause
Effectiveness
How Alendronate Sodium Affects PatientsAlendronic acid tablets have very little of the drug enter the body when taken orally. Most of it either enters soft tissue and bone or is eliminated from the body through urine. It does not change form when it is inside the body.
How Alendronate Sodium works in the bodyAlendronic acid works by binding to the hydroxyapatite in bones. This triggers a reaction that causes acidification and the release of alendronic acid into osteoclasts, which are specialized cells responsible for bone resorption. This acid then enters the cytosol of the osteoclasts and triggers apoptosis, which is a kind of cell death. This reduces the number of osteoclasts, which in turn decreases bone resorption and can be measured by looking at levels of calcium, deoxypyridinoline, and type I collagen found in the urine.
When to interrupt dosage
The advised dosage of Alendronate Sodium is contingent on the diagnosed condition, including Osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and Paget’s Disease. The amount of dosage also varies as per the mode of delivery, outlined in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Postmenopause
70.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 40.0 mg, , 7.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, effervescent, Tablet, effervescent - Oral
Paget’s Disease
70.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 40.0 mg, , 7.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, effervescent, Tablet, effervescent - Oral
Osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid
70.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 40.0 mg, , 7.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, effervescent, Tablet, effervescent - Oral
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)
70.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 40.0 mg, , 7.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, effervescent, Tablet, effervescent - Oral
Osteoporosis
70.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 40.0 mg, , 7.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, effervescent, Tablet, effervescent - Oral
Warnings
Alendronate Sodium has six contraindications, which means it should not be taken when any of the conditions given in the following table are present.Alendronate Sodium ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Alendronic Acid may interact with Pulse Frequency
Achalasia
Do Not Combine
Hypocalcemia
Do Not Combine
Aspiration
Do Not Combine
Esophagus
Do Not Combine
Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
Do Not Combine
Common Alendronate Sodium Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Clodronic acid
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alendronic acid is combined with Clodronic acid.
Etidronic acid
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alendronic acid is combined with Etidronic acid.
Incadronic acid
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alendronic acid is combined with Incadronic acid.
Tiludronic acid
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alendronic acid is combined with Tiludronic acid.
Acipimox
Moderate
The risk or severity of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria can be increased when Alendronic acid is combined with Acipimox.
Alendronate Sodium Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking alendronic acid may cause abdominal pain, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, muscle pain, or nausea in up to 3% of patients. If someone takes too much alendronic acid, they should drink milk or take antacids to bind it and not induce vomiting. They may also experience low levels of calcium or phosphorous, or have problems in the upper digestive system. It is not known if alendronic acid is safe for pregnant women or for those who are breastfeeding. Studies have been done for use in children, however there was an increase in vomiting. There is no difference in
Alendronate Sodium Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Alendronate Sodium?
At present, 50 active trials are conducting research to assess the potential of Alendronate Sodium in treating Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), Osteoporosis and Osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoids.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Paget’s Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)
0 Actively Recruiting
Osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid
0 Actively Recruiting
Osteoporosis
40 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 3
Postmenopause
5 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable
Alendronate Sodium Reviews: What are patients saying about Alendronate Sodium?
5Patient Review
3/15/2014 Alendronate has been a game-changer for me. I went from having constant, extreme pain in my knees and legs to only occasionally feeling discomfort.
3.3Patient Review
9/1/2019 I was confused by the dosing instructions on WebMD. It says to take this pill daily, but I believe that it is intended to be a weekly medication. This could be harmful to people if they follow the incorrect directions.
2Patient Review
8/7/2021 I was hesitant to try this treatment because of the reviews, but I'm glad I did. My lower back pain is gone and it's all natural!
1.7Patient Review
9/2/2014 I was on this treatment for a few months, but I started having some severe side effects. Jaw pain, night sweats that were so bad my body would become cold even in hot weather. I stopped taking the medication for two months and the night sweats went away; however, as soon as I started taking it again they came back immediately. Has anyone else experienced this? If not, I don't think I can continue taking this medication because of how intolerable the night sweats are.
1.7Patient Review
8/21/2022 I was taking this medication for osteoporosis, but stopped after three months due to the onset of pulsating pain in my left arm and increased sensitivity in my teeth. I'm not sure if the shoulder pain is related, but it's become a problem since I ceased taking the medication. My doctor says this is the only option covered by my insurance, but I'm afraid to continue taking it.
1.3Patient Review
7/13/2014 This medication unfortunately caused more pain in my joints.
1.3Patient Review
8/13/2019 As a 59 year old man with Osteoporosis, this medication made me feel incredibly worse. I was vomiting, had a sore throat, and felt more pain throughout my back than before. Needless to say, I stopped taking it very quickly.
1Patient Review
1/29/2014 After taking Alendronate, I started having really severe pain in my jaw and hips. It got so bad that I had to stop the medication, but even now I'm still dealing with some pain.
1Patient Review
7/12/2017 I took one dose of this medication and woke up in the night with pain all over my body. It's now been 24 hours and I feel even worse. I'm calling my doctor now, as I don't think the benefits outweigh the side effects.
1Patient Review
10/31/2022 I experienced painful bone side effects after just one year of using this medication. I stopped taking it four months ago, but the side effects have continued and even gotten worse.
1Patient Review
10/3/2017 I stopped taking this osteoporosis medication after only three doses. I had an intuition that it was poisonous, and after doing more research and reading other reviews, I'm convinced that it is dangerous stuff. Never touching it again.
1Patient Review
4/10/2016 I was absolutely miserable while taking this medication. I felt nauseous and dizzy all the time, and had constant diarrhea.
1Patient Review
4/3/2018 As a small boned woman with pre-osteoporosis, my doctor prescribed me Alendronate Sodium USP tablets 4 years ago. Unfortunately, last year I broke my right femur and this year my left femur also broke. Out of the 70% women in my convalescent home who had taken this drug, many were there because of broken femurs. It's concerning that doctors aren't doing more to warn patients about the dangers of this medication.
Patient Q&A Section about alendronate sodium
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is alendronate sodium used for?
"Feb 1, 2023
Alendronate is used to prevent osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) in women after menopause, and to treat osteoporosis in both women and men. This medicine may also be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis caused by long-term use of corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicine)."
Answered by AI
How long should you take alendronate sodium tablets?
"Your doctor will consider your risk factors in determining whether you should continue to take bisphosphonates or other osteoporosis medications after the initial 3 to 5 year period."
Answered by AI
Why can't you lay down after taking alendronate sodium?
"It is important not to lie down immediately after taking alendronate, as doing so may cause the medication to come back up into the esophagus and cause damage. Instead, drink a full glass of water to help wash the medication down into the stomach."
Answered by AI