FOSAMAX. 70 mg. 4 tablets

How should I take FOSAMAX?
Important things you must do if you want to be sure that FOSAMAX will improve your condition are:
1. Morning after getting up before breakfast , drink , or take any other medicines , swallow your FOSAMAX tablet with a full glass of plain ( tap) water.
No mineral water . No coffee or tea. Not with fruit juice.
Do not chew or suck the tablet FOSAMAX.
2 . After having a FOSAMAX tablet not lie down - stay fully upright (you can sit, to stand or walk ) at least for a period of 30 minutes and up to your first meal of the day .
3 . Do not take FOSAMAX at bedtime or before the morning waking .
The above actions will facilitate rapid achievement of FOSAMAX tablet to the stomach and help to prevent irritation of the esophagus ( the body which lies between the mouth and stomach) .
4 . After taking FOSAMAX tablet , wait at least 30 minutes before taking your first food of the day , drink or other medicines , including antacids (medicines that reduce stomach acid ), calcium supplements, or vitamins . FOSAMAX is effective only if taken on an empty stomach .
5 . If you develop difficulty or pain upon swallowing , chest pain , emerging " acid " or worsening of old ones stop FOSAMAX and call your doctor.
6 . Take FOSAMAX once a day , every day.
7 . It is important to continue taking FOSAMAX for as long as your doctor prescribes . FOSAMAX can treat your osteoporosis only if you continue taking it .
The doctor must know about all medications you are taking or plan to take, including those obtained without a prescription .

What is FOSAMAX?
FOSAMAX (alendronate sodium, MSD) is a white oval tablet containing as active substance 10 mg alendronate.
FOSAMAX is available in packs of 14 or 28 tablets.
In addition FOSAMAX contains the following inactive ingredients : microcrystalline cellulose , anhydrous lactose , croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and carnauba wax .
FOSAMAX enter the group of non-hormonal medicines called bisphosphonates sulphonates . FOSAMAX stops the bone loss that occurs in men , postmenopausal women and patients receiving corticosteroid medications (eg, prednisone , methylprednisolone ) . FOSAMAX helps to rebuild bone and makes them less fragile .

Marketing Authorisation Holder:
MSD IDEA INC.,
Glattbrugg - Switzerland
Manufacturer : Merck Sharp & Dohme,
Haarlem - Netherlands
Why my doctor prescribed FOSAMAX?
Your doctor has prescribed FOSAMAX, to cure your disease called osteoporosis or to prevent you from developing this disease . This will help to prevent the development of fractures ( breaks) .

How to maintain normal bone structure ?
Bones of the skeleton undergo the normal process of constantly rebuilding . First is removed ( absorbed ) the old bone is then constructed ( formed ) new. This balanced process of resorption and bone formation keeps your skeleton healthy and strong .

What is osteoporosis and why should I be treated ?
Osteoporosis is a thinning and weakening of bones. It is common in women after menopause and can occur in men. It can be caused by certain drugs called corticosteroids , and male and female. Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms . If not treated , however , it may lead to fracture ( fracture of bones) . Although fractures usually cause pain, fractures of the spine may not be noticed until they cause height loss . Fractures can occur in ordinary, everyday activity , such as lifting heavy objects or minor injuries that would not break a healthy bone. Fractures usually occur in the hip , spine or wrist and can lead to pain and save significant deformities and disability (such as alignment of curvature of the spine and inability to move ) .