Fosamax is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease, in postmenopausal women. It is also used to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, and is prescribed for both men and women who have developed a form of osteoporosis sometimes caused by steroid medications such as prednisone. This drug can also be used to relieve Paget's disease of bone, a painful condition that weakens and deforms the bones.
* Fosamax should be taken once a day in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass (6-8 ounces) of plain water. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking alendronate before you eat, drink, or take other medications. Do not take Fosamax with mineral water, coffee, orange juice, milk, or other dairy products. Do not suck or chew the tablet; swallow the tablet whole. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking Fosamax. Standing or sitting upright helps you get the full dose and decreases heartburn or the risk of injury to your esophagus.
POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS
The usual dose is one 10-milligram tablet once a day or one 70-milligram tablet once a week. Treatment continues for years.
PREVENTION OF POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS
The usual dose is 5-milligrams once a day or 35-milligrams once a week.
OSTEOPOROSIS IN MEN
The usual dose is one 10-milligram tablet once a day or one 70-milligram tablet once a week.
STEROID-INDUCED OSTEOPOROSIS
The usual dose is 5-milligrams once a day, except for postmenopausal women not taking estrogen, who should take 10-milligrams once daily.
PAGET'S DISEASE
The usual dose is 40 milligrams once a day for 6 months.
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