Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed medication for people with osteoporosis and are often the first treatment option considered by your doctor. Alendronic acid doesn't reduce the pain caused by broken bones.
How long should you take a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis?
How Long To Take Fosamax? Answer From Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph. D. Bisphosphonates, the most common type of osteoporosis medications, are typically taken for at least 3 to 5 years.After that, your doctor will consider your risk factors in determining whether you should continue to take these or other osteoporosis medications.
What is the correct food for osteoporosis?
Some of the best fruits and vegetables for osteoporosis prevention include:
- Leafy greens like kale, collard greens, spinach, and mustard greens
- Figs
- Broccoli
- Oranges
- Mushrooms
Does taking Actonel help with osteoporosis?
Actonel reduces the incidence of bone fractures from osteoporosis by increasing bone mass. Actonel is an anti-resorptive agent which alters the formation and breakdown cycles of bone tissue. Actonel prevents bones from breaking because it slows down the loss of bone tissue while increasing the amount of bone mass.
Should I keep taking Fosamax for my osteoporosis?
In fact, some researchers say that when taken for more than 10 years, Fosamax will actually make bones more brittle and, thus, more susceptible to fracture. And, even if patients stop taking the drug, doctors say, it can stay in the body for up to 10 years before the body gets rid of 50 percent of it.
What is an alternative to alendronate?
There are several bisphosphonates to choose from: pills, such as alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), or risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia), taken daily, weekly, or monthly. injections of ibandronate (Boniva), given once every three months.
What is the best treatment for severe osteoporosis?
Bisphosphonates are usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment. These include: Alendronate (Fosamax), a weekly pill. Risedronate (Actonel), a weekly or monthly pill.
What is the newest treatment for osteoporosis?
Romosozumab (Evenity). This is the newest bone-building medication to treat osteoporosis. It is given as an injection every month at your doctor's office and is limited to one year of treatment.
Is there an alternative to alendronate sodium?
Here are a few alternatives that may be options for you. There are several other bisphosphonates available, including zoledronic acid (Reclast) and risedronate (Actonel). Unlike the other bisphosphonates, Reclast is given intravenously and is not available as an oral pill.
Which is better Fosamax or Prolia?
Fosamax (alendronate) is a first-choice treatment for osteoporosis, but taking it can be a hassle. Prevents bone loss. Prolia (Denosumab) is an effective and convenient treatment for osteoporosis if other options haven't worked or aren't appropriate for you.
What is the once a year injection for osteoporosis?
When zoledronic acid injection is used to treat osteoporosis in women who have undergone menopause, or in men, or to treat or prevent osteoporosis in people who are taking glucocorticoids, it is usually given once a year.
What is the safest osteoporosis drug 2020?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of breaking a bone (fracture).
What is classed as severe osteoporosis?
Severe osteoporosis is currently defined by the threshold of bone density value below the -2.5 SDS of T-score, determined by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry, and the presence of one or more fragility fractures.
Is there a daily injection for osteoporosis?
Teriparatide is an osteoporosis medication prescribed to help strengthen your bones and reduce your risk of breaking a bone. It is available as a daily injection, which you do yourself. Teriparatide is prescribed for up to two years.
Which is better alendronate or risedronate?
Alendronate has been shown to be more effective than risedronate at increasing BMD and reducing bone turnover without increasing the risk for side effects.
Is denosumab better than alendronate in the treatment of osteoporosis?
These RCTs, conducted in postmenopausal women, regardless of prior treatment for osteoporosis, both found denosumab to be more efficacious than alendronate in increasing BMD, possibly the best proxy outcome for subsequent fracture risk.
What is the best and safest treatment for osteoporosis 2022?
Risedronate – Risedronate (brand names: Actonel, Atelvia) reduces the risk of both vertebral and hip fractures. Risedronate is approved for both prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. It can be taken once per day, once per week, or once per month.
Which Medications Are Commonly Used For Osteoporosis Treatment?
Bisphosphonates are the most common medications prescribed for osteoporosis treatment. These include: 1. Alendronate (Fosamax) 2. Risedronate (Acto...
How Do Most Osteoporosis Medications Work?
With the exception of teriparatide, osteoporosis medications slow bone breakdown. Healthy bones continuously break down and rebuild.As you age — es...
How Do You Know If You're Taking The Right bisphosphonate?
Drugs in the bisphosphonate class are more alike than they are different. They all help maintain bone density. And, all bisphosphonates have been s...
When Might Other Osteoporosis Medications Be used?
Drugs such as denosumab, teriparatide and abaloparatide can be used by anyone with osteoporosis, but are more likely to be recommended for people w...
What Are Common Side Effects of Bisphosphonate pills?
Bisphosphonate pills aren't absorbed well in the stomach. The main side effects of bisphosphonate pills are stomach upset and heartburn. Generic fo...
Do Intravenous Bisphosphonates Have Advantages Over The Pill form?
Infused forms of bisphosphonates don't cause stomach upset. And it may be easier for some women to schedule a quarterly or yearly infusion than to...
Can Bisphosphonates Hurt Your Bones?
Long-term bisphosphonate therapy has been linked to a rare problem in which the upper thighbone cracks and may break. This injury, known as atypica...
How Long Should You Take A Bisphosphonate For Osteoporosis Treatment?
There's some uncertainty about how long to take bisphosphonates because of a lack of long-term studies. Bisphosphonates have been shown to be safe...
What Happens If You Break A Bone While Taking An Osteoporosis medication?
Osteoporosis medications lower the chance of fracture, but they don't eliminate all risk of breaking a bone. If you have a fracture while on treatm...
Can Medication Alone Successfully Treat Osteoporosis?
Don't rely entirely on medication as the only treatment for your osteoporosis. These practices also are important: 1. Exercise. Weight-bearing phys...
How does alendronate work?
Alendronate works by inhibiting osteoclasts which are responsible for breaking down and reabsorbing bone (by a process known as bone resorption).
How long should you stay upright after taking Alendronate?
Take exactly as directed. Alendronate should be taken with a full glass of water and the person taking alendronate should remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
How long does alendronate last?
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.
What is alendronate used for?
Alendronate is used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men. Alendronate may also be used to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and Paget's disease of the bone. Alendronate may also be used to treat adverse skeletal effects caused by some cancers.
How long does it take for alendronate to cause pain?
Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain, necessitating discontinuation of alendronate in some people, has been reported, occurring from one day to several months after starting the drug. Rarely may cause other side effects including uveitis (eye inflammation).
How long to wait to drink alendronate?
Dissolve alendronate effervescent tablets in 4oz of room temperature tap water. Wait 5 minutes after effervescence stops before stirring for 10 seconds then drinking . You may need to take supplementary calcium or vitamin D if your dietary intake is inadequate. Your doctor will advise you about this.
What medications interact with Alendronate?
oral steroids, such as dexamethasone, prednisone, and methylprednisone. sirolimus and tacrolimus. zinc salts. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with alendronate.
How many ratings does Alendronate have?
Alendronate has an average rating of 2.1 out of 10 from a total of 33 ratings for the treatment of Prevention of Osteoporosis. 9% of users who reviewed this medication reported a positive effect, while 85% reported a negative effect.
When did Fosamax start?
Fosamax (alendronate): “Started taking June 2013, once a week. 4 weeks into taking started having headaches but didn't connect the dots. Then started having severe sharp pain in back and upper right behind rib cage. Pain so severe, went to ER, where they didn't know the cause (had my gallbladder removed 18 yrs ago).
Can Dana be taken for 1 month?
Yes No. 23 Report. dana · Taken for less than 1 month December 12, 2020. “19 hours after first dose stomach pain, chills, body aches so bad could not sit in a chair. Fortunate I was home to lie in bed all day. Following day woke with jaw aching and all day teeth/gum soreness. I will not be taking a second dose.
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Rib pain after compression fractures... looking for solutions
I am recovering from multiple compression fractures, last one 8-24, my abdominal muscles are very weak but hopefully slowly improving. My ribs (front), are so sore....at bottom. Know area comprised due to loss of height, but not sure why so sore at base of ribs..almost more sore than back.
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Pain after kyphoplasty
I had a kyphoplasty done on November 2, 2016 for an L5 fracture. I have not gotten any relief from the pain and it is now two and a half months after the procedure. I do have very bad osteoporosis, (four back fractures altogether), but thought that I would get some relief.
How long does bisphosphonate treatment last?
Risk of jaw necrosis and atypical thigh fracture is lower when use of bisphosphonates is limited. For most women, bisphosphonate treatment ends after five years of oral therapy or after three annual intra-venous infusions of zolendronate. However, the drugs' effects remain for several years after therapy is discontinued.
What is the International Task Force on Osteonecrosis of the Jaw?
In response to concern about jaw necrosis, 14 professional organizations of dentists, physicians, and bone scientists formed the International Task Force on Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. The task force reviewed all the research on that condition published from 2003 to 2014.
What age should I get a dexa scan?
A DEXA scan is recommended for women ages 65 or older and for women ages 50 or older who have broken a bone recently . (At least 50% of women who have a hip fracture have already broken another bone.) Your doctor may also recommend a DEXA scan if you smoke, consume an average of three or more alcoholic drinks a day, have a low body mass index (BMI), ...
How to reduce risk of tooth loss?
You can further reduce your risk through vigilant dental care. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and have regular dental cleanings. To further minimize risk, choose the least invasive dental procedures possible—a root canal instead of an extraction, or a bridge instead of an implant.
Does zoledronate reduce hip fractures?
For example, taking zoledronate or denosumab can decrease the risk of hip fractures by 40% and spine fractures by about 70% . For women with low bone density, alendronate is associated with a reduction of about 50% for hip and spine fractures and 23% for wrist, ankle, and other bone fractures. (See "Effectiveness of common osteoporosis medications.")
Can you take bisphosphonate with low bone density?
If you have low bone density and are debating whether to take a bisphosphonate, you may consider the following: Osteoporotic fractures can be debilitating. If you accumulate several vertebral fractures, you may lose height, develop a hump, and have less room for your abdominal organs.
Is osteoporosis a common disease?
Osteoporosis is a common disease and fragil ity fractures increase dramatically with age. "The occurrence of a fracture can be devastating, and women can benefit from the effective therapies that markedly reduce their risk of osteoporotic fractures.
How does bisphosphonate work?
It has been widely believed that bisphosphonates work by targeting and impairing the action of cells known as osteoclasts -- and reducing their number. These cells break down bone in a process known as bone resorption. But in the new study, many postmenopausal women who took Fosamax showed increases in osteoclast numbers compared ...
Do people respond to bisphosphonates the same way?
This finding shows that not everyone responds to bisphosphonates in the same way, says Julie Glowacki, PhD, who directs the Skeletal Biology Lab at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. "This study will cause us to ask new questions about how these drugs work," Glowacki tells WebMD.
Do bisphosphonates make bones stronger?
Dec. 31, 2008 -- Millions of people with osteoporosis take bisphosphonates like the drug Fosamax to make their bones stronger. The drugs work well, but a new study shows that they probably don't work in the way experts have thought. It has been widely believed that bisphosphonates work by targeting and impairing the action ...
How It Works
Upsides
- Alendronate is used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men.
- Alendronate may also be used to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and Paget's disease of the bone.
- Alendronate may also be used to treat adverse skeletal effects caused by some cancers.
- Alendronate is used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men.
- Alendronate may also be used to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and Paget's disease of the bone.
- Alendronate may also be used to treat adverse skeletal effects caused by some cancers.
- Some studies have shown that alendronate may be more effective than risedronate at increasing bone mineral density and reducing bone turnover without a higher risk of side effects.
Downsides
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Abdominal pain, bone muscle or joint pain, dyspepsia, hair loss, itch, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, dizziness, headache, vertigo, and swelling of the ankles or feet are the most common side effects. 2. Alendronate, lik…
Bottom Line
- Alendronate helps to reduce the risk of fracture in people with osteoporosis and some other bone conditions. Dosage instructions, including remaining upright for at least 30 minutes and taking with a full glass of water, must be strictly followed. The optimal length of therapy remains unknown.
Tips
- Take alendronate at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking any food or beverages (other than water), or taking any other medication, including calcium, antacids, or vitamins.
- Take alendronate with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes. Do not lie down. Do not substitute water with mineral water, coffee, soda, juice, or tea. Never take alendron...
- Take alendronate at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking any food or beverages (other than water), or taking any other medication, including calcium, antacids, or vitamins.
- Take alendronate with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes. Do not lie down. Do not substitute water with mineral water, coffee, soda, juice, or tea. Never take alendron...
- Avoid eating, drinking (other than water), or taking other medications for 30 minutes after taking alendronate.
- Dissolve alendronate effervescent tablets in 4oz of room temperature tap water. Wait 5 minutes after effervescence stops before stirring for 10 seconds then drinking.
Response and Effectiveness
- Alendronate starts to affect markers that reflect bone resorption within one month of treatment and reaches a plateau by three to six months. Effects remain stable following continued treatment for...
- Food can significantly decrease the absorption of alendronate.
Interactions
- Medicines that interact with alendronate may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with alendronate. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions sh…
References
- Alendronate. Revised 01/2021. Exelan Pharmaceuticals Inc. https://www.drugs.com/ppa/alendronate.html
Further Information
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use alendronate only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: February 15, 2022. Medical Disc…