Osteofos tablet contains Alendronate as the main active component; it is also known as alendronic acid or Fosamax (the brand name of the drug) and is a medicine for osteoporosis. It may be prescribed when you are at an increased risk of breaking a bone. In this case, Alendronate can aid in bone strengthening and protect your bones, making you less likely to have bone breakage.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Alendronate for treating steroid-induced osteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and managing Paget’s disease of bone. Alendronate is classified as a medication that helps prevent bone resorption and promotes bone density, making it a first-line treatment for osteoporosis.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease affecting bones when mineral density and bone mass decrease. Osteoporosis can also develop when the structure of the bone or its quality changes. This condition decreases bone strength by increasing the risk of broken bones(fractures).
Osteoporosis is often known as a silent health issue as it doesn’t show specific symptoms until the bone is broken. The commonly reported symptoms of Osteoporosis condition may include back pain, stooped posture (a curved upper back), loss of height, fracture, and easily broken bones.
What does Alendronate do, and how does it work?
Alendronate is one of the effective osteoporosis medications that aid in building stronger bones and reduce the risk of broken bones, including spinal and hip fractures. Bones are made up of living tissues, and the inside of our bones is constantly broken down and rebuilt by specialized bone cells. Bones will likely stay healthy and strong without interfering with this process. But if anything is imbalanced in this process, the body may begin to break down more bone than we build. This can lead to bones weakening, which are more likely to break.
Regular consumption of Osteofos 70mg or 35 mg helps slow down the cells that break down bone, restoring balance and strengthening bones. The patient may still be likely to break a bone while taking this medicine. It doesn’t mean the medication is not working. It is important to understand that no medicine can stop a bone from getting fractured, but taking Osteofos will help decrease the chances of bone breakage.
Osteofos containing Alendronate is not a pain reliever drug, so don’t expect to get relief from excruciating pain from broken bones. Here, other treatments need to be incorporated to manage pain. A doctor may give you appropriate information regarding the pain-relieving strategies that should be used with Alendronate.
Who is the suitable candidate for using the Osteofos tablet?
Osteofos 35mg or 70 mg may not suit you if you have severe osteoporosis or if you are more likely to break a bone that requires drug therapy. Alendronate got FDA approval for use in men and women who have been through menopause. This drug is occasionally used in younger women under the supervision of a doctor.
Alendronate is the first line of treatment that is offered to people. Although other treatments are available, they are generally not considered unless Alendronate fails to work. The medication can be used with other treatments, as the doctor has advised.
When the Osteofos tablet is not suitable
The medication may not be suitable if any of the following applies to you:
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- Trouble swallowing the tablet
- Severe hepatic insufficiency
- Low blood calcium level
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Contraindications to Osteofos include patients with known hypersensitivity to Alendronate and those with delayed esophageal emptying and esophageal abnormalities. To mitigate the risk of esophageal morbidity, it is advised to refrain from giving this bone health medicine to patients who cannot maintain a standing or sitting position for a minimum of thirty minutes. Also, the medicine should not be given to patients with hypocalcemia.
The dosing instructions for Alendronate tablet
Osteofos should be consumed as 35 mg tablet once a week for prevention. For osteoporosis treatment, the medication should be taken daily as a 10 mg tablet or weekly as a 70 mg tablet. For optimal effectiveness, Osteofos should be taken in the morning with adequate water while standing or sitting upright and on an empty stomach. Individuals taking Osteofos should maintain an upright position for thirty minutes after taking the medication to lower the risk of adverse effects. Make sure you do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.
The instructions for consuming this medicine are tailored to the patient’s specific condition, risk factors, and individual needs. The dosing regimen is as follows:
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- For postmenopausal women – The suggested dosing option for such women includes an oral tablet of 5mg daily or 35 mg once a week.
- Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis – The usual suggested dose for people with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is 5 mg of oral tablet once a day or 10 mg of oral tablet once a day for females not undergoing hormone replacement therapy.
- Paget disease of bone – The recommended dose for this condition is 40 mg daily for six months.
- Severe kidney problems – This medicine should not be given to patients with severe hepatic insufficiency, and patients are advised to explore alternative treatment.
- Low risk of fractures – In cases where the fracture risk is low, discontinue the medicine after 3 to 5 years of use
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding – Alendronate should not be given to pregnant women. As it is not well known whether the medicine is excreted in women’s milk, it is advisable to exercise caution when using this medicine during lactation.
The possible side effects of Alendronate tablet
While reducing osteoporosis symptoms, Alendronate can sometimes cause side effects. The commonly reported side effects are:
- Inflamed esophagus, trouble swallowing, heartburn
Take the pill with an adequate amount of water. Stay upright and avoid bending for about half an hour afterward. This should stop the treatment from sticking into your esophagus. If the problem persists, consult your doctor.
- Constipation
Incorporate more fiber into your diet and increase your water intake. Avoid taking a calcium supplement; consider getting it from food sources. If your doctor prescribes the calcium supplements, check with him before altering the dose.
- Diarrhea
Stay hydrated by drinking as much water as possible. If the condition doesn’t improve, let your doctor know.
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain
Generally, this condition improves as your body gets used to the new medicine. Otherwise, a pain-relieving drug like paracetamol can help.
- Eye inflammation, causing pain or blurred vision
Inform your doctor if you are already suffering from an inflamed eye condition or have developed painful red eyes.
- Headache
A pain-relieving drug like paracetamol can help.
For the safe usage of the drug, ensure to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking the Osteofos tablet.
