What is Fosamax?
Generic Fosamax (brand generic name: alendronate) belongs to the class of drugs called bisphosphonate and is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis. While physicians recommend Fosamax for bone loss and preventing bone breakdown, the medication also helps in building bone mass and reducing the risk of bone breakage. Generic Fosamax is also prescribed treat Paget\'s disease.
Generic Fosamax (brand generic name: alendronate) is a prescription drug that is easily available now. Although the brand name Fosamax is manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc, the patent for the drug has expired. Fosamax for bone loss treatment as well as treating and preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis is manufactured by a number of pharmaceutical companies, including Barr Pharmaceuticals Apotex, Inc., Cobalt Laboratories, Inc., Dr. Reddy\'s Laboratories, Ltd., Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Watson Laboratories, Inc. and Teva Pharmaceuticals. Generic Fosamax belongs to the class of medication known as bisphosphonate and is also used to treat Paget\'s disease. Generic Fosamax is available in tablet form and comes in five different strengths – 5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg and 70 mg. The generic version of liquid form of Fosamax for bone loss and postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment and prevention is yet to be available in the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration has grant an rating to all the generic Fosamax versions currently available denoting that these medications are equivalent to branded Fosamax (brand name generic: alendronate) manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.
Like in the case of any medication, side effects may occur with Fosamax (brand generic name: alendronate) too. Nevertheless, everyone using generic Fosmax for bone loss or postmenopausal osteoporosis experience Fosamax side effects. In fact, majority of the people tolerate the medicine quite well. Even if Fosamax side effects do occur, in most cases, they are negligible and either require no treatment or can be cured without much effort. The most common Fosamax side effects may include headache; bone, muscle or joint pain; indigestion or heartburn; diarrhea; constipation, abdominal pain; flatulence and/ or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Using the medication may also result in common Fosamax side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, black stool (due to intestinal bleeding) and/ or change in taste perception. Some rare, but serious side effects of using Fosamax for bone loss or postmenopausal osteoporosis include acute heartburn; throat and chest pain or difficulty in swallowing, acute bone, muscle or joint pain; jaw or tooth problems and/ or allergic reactions.
Recommendations for Use
Side Effects
While Fosamax jaw problem has been reported by numerous patients using generic Fosamax (brand generic name: alendronate), allergic symptoms owing to Fosamax side effects include, hives, rash, itching and inexplicable swelling. Patients may experience Fosamax jaw problems (osteonecrosis of the jaw) owing to delayed healing and infection after tooth extraction. There are several ways by which one may minimize Fosamax side effects on the esophagus. In order to lessen the risks of developing serious Fosamax side effects related to the esophagus, the patient should always take generic Fosamax (brand generic name: alendronate)with a full glass of water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. In addition, Fosamax for bone loss treatment or curing postmenopausal osteoporosis should be swallowed as a whole and not chewed or sucked. In case you are taking the liquid form of generic Fosamax, ensure that you drink half cup of water after the taking your dose of the medication to reduce some of the Fosamax side effects. While using Fosamax for bone loss or postmenopausal osteoporosis avoid taking any other oral medicine, including calcium supplements, for this may augment Fosamax side effects, such as Fosamax jaw problems.