About alendrona te sodium
Bisphosphonate bone medicine
Used for
- Treats osteoporosis after menopause or in men
- Treats osteoporosis caused by long-term steroid use
- Treats Paget’s disease of bone
Usual adult dose
Usually 70 mg by mouth once weekly for osteoporosis; Paget’s disease dosing differs.
Common side effects
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Stomach or esophageal irritation
- Muscle, joint, or bone pain
- Rarely, jawbone damage or unusual thigh fractures
Important warnings
- Take with plain water on an empty stomach; remain upright for at least 30 minutes.
- Do not use with esophageal emptying problems or inability to sit or stand upright.
- Correct low blood calcium before treatment; adequate calcium and vitamin D are important.
- Seek urgent care for painful swallowing, chest pain, or severe new thigh or groin pain.
Pregnancy
Generally avoided; human pregnancy information is limited.
Breastfeeding
Unknown whether alendronate enters breast milk; discuss with a healthcare professional.
Interactions
- Calcium, antacids, and iron reduce absorption; separate by at least 30 minutes.
- Food, drinks other than plain water, and other medicines reduce absorption.
- NSAIDs may increase stomach irritation.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.