Alendronic Acid (Sodium Alendronate) 70mg Tablets

Alendronic acid is a type of medicine called a bisphosphonate. It helps your bones stay as strong as possible.

It can help if you have or are at risk of getting a health problem called osteoporosis. This is where your bones get weaker and more likely to break.

Osteoporosis can happen for many reasons, but you’re more likely to get it if you’re a woman who has been through the menopause or if you take steroids, such as prednisolone, for a long time. Some types of cancer treatment can also increase your risk of getting osteoporosis.

Alendronic acid is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets, soluble tablets that dissolve in water to make a drink, or as a liquid that you drink.

• Alendronic acid is good for your bones – it makes them stronger and less likely to break.
• Most people take it as a weekly tablet or liquid.
• Take alendronic acid first thing in the morning, before you have anything to eat or drink and before you take any other medicines. Stay sitting or standing for 30 minutes so the medicine doesn’t irritate your food pipe (oesophagus).
• It’s important to look after your teeth and have regular dental check-ups while taking alendronic acid because it can sometimes damage the jaw bone – but this is rare.
• Alendronic acid is also known as alendronate sodium or alendronate. It is also called by the brand names Fosamax and Binosto. When mixed with colecalciferol (vitamin D3), it’s called Fosavance.

Alendronic acid can be taken by adults aged 18 and over. It’s occasionally prescribed for children with osteoporosis.

Alendronic acid isn’t suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to alendronic acid or any other medicine in the past
• have digestive problems, problems swallowing or any problems with your food pipe
• can’t sit up or stand for at least 30 minutes
• have low calcium levels in your blood – alendronic acid sometimes causes low blood calcium, so your calcium levels could become even lower
• have kidney problems
• have cancer, or are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• have problems with your teeth, or are waiting for dental treatment such as having a tooth out
• smoke or used to smoke – this may increase your risk of dental problems
• are pregnant or breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant

You’ll usually take alendronic acid once a week, as a tablet. It also comes as a liquid or soluble tablet that you take once a week, or as a tablet you take once a day.

Follow your doctor’s instructions about exactly how and when to take your medicine. If you’re taking a weekly dose, you need to take your medicine on the same day each week, so choose a day that suits your routine.

HOW MUCH WILL I TAKE?

The usual dose for adults is 70mg taken once a week

HOW TO TAKE IT

It’s important to follow the instructions for this medicine very carefully. If you don’t, it may not work or it could irritate and damage your food pipe as you swallow it.

Take your medicine first thing in the morning, when you get up. Take it on an empty stomach, before you have anything to eat or drink (other than plain tap water) and before you take any other medicines that you swallow.

Alendronic acid works best when your stomach is empty, so your body can absorb it properly. It’s important to take alendronic acid while you’re sitting up or standing. Stay upright for 30 minutes after taking your medicine – you can be sitting, standing or walking.

• Tablets – swallow the tablet whole with a large glass of plain tap water (at least 200ml). Do not take it with mineral water. Do not chew, break, crush or suck the tablet.