Your Home Should be Arranged for Safety and Convenience
Take these steps to help avoid accidents:
- Remove or firmly anchor rugs that may slide or bunch up and cause a fall.
- Have good lighting in every room.
- Keep electrical and telephone cords out of walking paths.
- Keep a flashlight by the bed for use at night. Check the batteries often.
- Make stairways safe with railings and nonslip surfaces.
- Equip your bathroom with grab bars and other aids, such as night-lights.
- Apply adhesive strips to your tub or shower floor.
- Select chairs and couches that are easy to get into and out of.
Personal Safety
Watch for small pets or objects on the floor. Use handrails when going up or down stairs. Talk to your doctor about avoiding medications that may impair your sense of balance. Wear shoes that grip well. Don’t walk around in high heels, socks, or slippers. Use caution when walking outside at night, in poorly lighted areas, near curbs, or on wet or icy surfaces. Always look where you’re going and watch where you’re stepping.
Ask your doctor about FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS 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. 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.