To reduce the risk of these rare complications, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily stop taking bisphosphonates after
3 to 5 years
. This is sometimes called a bisphosphonate holiday. People who have severe osteoporosis may need to wait for 10 years before they stop taking these drugs.
Is it safe to take Fosamax long term?
March 17, 2004 – There is good news about the drugs used to treat and prevent osteoporosis-related bone loss. The longest-ever study of one of the most widely prescribed of these drugs suggests it continues to protect bones after a decade of use.
Can I stop taking Fosamax cold turkey?
Before stopping Fosamax or any medication, it is important to consult your doctor. Based upon your medical history and individual health risks, your doctor may suggest taking a break. If you do decide to stop taking Fosamax, doctors recommend
having regular bone density tests to monitor your status
.
How long is it safe to take alendronate?
The optimal duration of therapy with alendronate has not been established. Periodically re-evaluate the need for therapy. Discontinuation of therapy should be considered by doctors after
3 to 5 years
in patients at low risk of fracture.
How long should you stay on Fosamax?
To reduce the risk of these rare complications, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily stop taking bisphosphonates after
3 to 5 years
. This is sometimes called a bisphosphonate holiday. People who have severe osteoporosis may need to wait for 10 years before they stop taking these drugs.
Can I skip a week of Fosamax?
If you take the forgotten tablet after you have eaten or had a drink, FOSAMAX will not work as well as it should. Therefore,
it is better to skip the dose that you missed
. If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Why is Fosamax bad for you?
There are concerns about the long-term safety of bisphosphonates (such as Fosamax) as long-term use has been associated with
atypical femur fractures
, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and esophageal cancer. Fracture risk reduction may also persist for years after treatment has stopped.
Will osteoporosis shorten my life?
The residual life expectancy was
18.2
years for men beginning osteoporosis treatment at age 50 years and 7.5 years for men beginning treatment at age 75 years. The residual life expectancy was 26.4 years and 13.5 years for women who began treatment at ages 50 years and 75 years, respectively.
Can you drink coffee with alendronate?
Never take alendronate
tablets with tea, coffee, juice, milk, mineral water, sparkling water, or any liquid other than plain water.
Are bananas good for osteoporosis?
As all these nutrients play an essential role for your health, they also improve your bone density. Eat pineapple, strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas and guavas. All these fruits are loaded with vitamin C, which in turn, strengthen your bones.
Do you gain weight with Fosamax?
Weight gain isn’t a side effect that you should have while taking Fosamax
. In clinical trials, weight gain didn’t occur in people taking Fosamax. However, peripheral edema (swelling in your arms or legs) has been reported by some people since Fosamax was approved by the FDA and released onto the market.
Does Fosamax cause hair loss?
Roach: I found many case
reports of hair loss
after the use of alendronate (Fosamax) and similar drugs (a class called bisphosphonates).
Can Fosamax be stopped abruptly?
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor
. Tell your doctor if you do weight-bearing exercises, smoke or drink excessively. Your doctor will need to take these into consideration in deciding your dose.
Can I take Fosamax every other week?
There’s no evidence that long-term use causes any dangerous side effects or harm to the bones after 10 years or more of treatment. Taking Fosamax every other week, instead of the recommended once-a-week dose,
is not a good idea
.
Can you sit after taking Fosamax?
After swallowing your FOSAMAX tablet, do not lie down –
stay fully upright (sitting, standing, or walking)
for at least 30 minutes.
What happens if you take Fosamax with food?
Food may reduce the absorption of alendronate
, which may lead to lower blood levels of the medication and possibly reduced effectiveness. You should take alendronate first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything or take any other medication.
