What Should I Know About Vitamin D?
- Calcium intake alone is not enough to maintain strong, healthy bones and to prevent osteoporosis.
- Unlike calcium, vitamin D is not readily available from your diet.
- The recommended intake of vitamin D is 400 to 800 IU daily.
- The main source of vitamin D is through exposure to summer sunlight.
- As people age, their skin becomes less able to make vitamin D.
- Winter sunlight in most of the United States is too weak to produce vitamin D.
- Even in the summer, sun block and some clothing can prevent enough sunlight from getting through.
- Very few foods are natural sources of vitamin D.
- Some foods, such as milk and some brands of orange juice and breakfast cereals, are fortified with vitamin D.
Learn about other sources of vitamin D.
Too Little Vitamin D Leads to Low Calcium Absorption and Low Phosphate
- Calcium and phosphate are minerals that make bones strong.
- Even if you are eating a diet rich in calcium or taking a calcium supplement, your body cannot absorb calcium properly unless you have enough vitamin D.
- Too little vitamin D may lead to bone loss and osteoporosis.
- Severe vitamin D deficiency may cause muscle weakness, which can lead to falls and a greater risk of fracture.
Importance of Continuing Your Treatment
Please remember, for the positive effects of your osteoporosis treatment to continue, you must stick to the treatment regimen prescribed by your doctor.
Talk to your doctor about FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D
Learn why it’s important to continue taking FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX D.
Selected Cautionary Information About FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D
You should not use FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D if you have certain disorders of the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth with the stomach), are not able to stand or sit upright for 30 minutes, have severe kidney disease, low blood calcium, or are allergic to FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D. Before use, talk to your doctor if you have or have had stomach or digestive problems or problems with swallowing. You should tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. In addition, for FOSAMAX PLUS D, you should talk to your doctor if you have conditions that may cause an overproduction of vitamin D (eg, sarcoidosis, leukemia, lymphoma).
Stop taking FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D and call your doctor right away if you develop new or worsening heartburn, difficult or painful swallowing, or chest pain because these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems, which can include irritation, inflammation, or ulceration of the esophagus. (See the Patient Product Information for more details.) If you develop severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain at any time, contact your doctor. FOSAMAX AND FOSAMAX PLUS D may cause jawbone problems in some people. Jawbone problems may include infection, and delayed healing after teeth are pulled. Digestive side effects in studies were generally mild and included stomach pain, indigestion/heartburn, or nausea.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.