Adult Dosing
Treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
- 70 mg PO qwk; alt 10 mg PO Daily
Treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis
- 70 mg PO qwk; alt 10 mg PO Daily
Prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
- 35 mg PO qwk; alt 5 mg PO Daily
Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women
- 5 mg PO Daily; alt 10 mg PO Daily (for postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen)
Paget’s disease of bone in men and women
- 40 mg PO Daily x 6 months
Note: Give alendronate with water 30 mins before first food, beverage, or medication of the day, avoid lying down atleast 30min and until after their first food of the day; Calcium and vitamin D supplementation is recommended if dietary intake is inadequate.
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established
[Outline]
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Use of therapy in patients have reported esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, esophageal erosions with bleeding and local irritation of the upper gastrointestinal mucosa, in some cases condition have been severe and required hospitalization
- Reports of atypical, low-energy, or low trauma fractures of the femoral shaft have been occurred while on therapy
- Avoid use in Barrett's esophagus due to risk of esophageal cancer
- Physician should monitor patient for signs or symptoms signaling a possible esophageal reaction. Advise patient to discontinue alendronate and seek medical attention if they develop dysphagia, odynophagia, retrosternal pain or new or worsening heartburn
- Risk of severe esophageal reactions may develop in patient who lie down after taking therapy, who fail to swallow alendronate with the recommended full glass of water, and who continue to take therapy after developing symptoms suggestive of esophageal irritation
- Therapy should be used under appropriate supervision in patients who cannot comply with dosing instructions due to mental disability
- Postmarketing reports of severe and with complications of gastric and duodenal ulcers, incapacitating bone, joint, and muscle pain have been occurred with this therapy
- Correct hypocalcemia, disorders affecting mineral metabolism before initiating alendronate and monitor serum calcium and symptoms of hypocalcemia during therapy
- Reports of decreases in serum calcium and phosphate may occur in patients with Paget’s disease
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw which can occur spontaneously and risk factors associated with it like invasive dental procedures, diagnosis of cancer, concomitant therapies, poor oral hygiene, and co-morbid disorders have been reported in patients taking alendronate
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Upper GI disorder
- Invasive dental procedure
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patient to discontinue the therapy if chest pain, new or worsening heartburn, or have trouble or pain when you swallow
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: No information is available on the use of alendronate during breastfeeding; an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. However, absorption of alendronate by a breastfed infant is unlikely. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 24 February 2011). Manufacturer advises caution.
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Alendronate Sodium 40 MG TABS [Bottle] (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA)
30 mg = $179.99
90 mg = $489.95 - Fosamax 5 MG TABS [Bottle] (MERCK SHARP & DOHME)
30 mg = $91.92
90 mg = $265.31 - Fosamax 35 MG TABS [Package] (MERCK SHARP & DOHME)
4 mg = $87.66
12 mg = $252.29 - Fosamax 70 MG TABS [Package] (MERCK SHARP & DOHME)
4 mg = $101.99
12 mg = $288.97 - Fosamax 10 MG TABS [Bottle] (MERCK SHARP & DOHME)
30 mg = $95.12
90 mg = $262.94
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
