How can Osteoporosis Be Treated or Prevented?
Osteoporosis can be treated with FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D. Osteoporosis can be prevented with FOSAMAX.
FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D are bisphosphonates and act specifically on your bones. They are not hormones and do not have the risks of estrogen.
FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D are 2 of the few prescription treatments available today with convenient once-weekly dosing for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D are widely available on managed care formularies.
Living with Osteoporosis
If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis or thinning bones, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose a healthy lifestyle: Diet and exercise are important factors in the health of your bones. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol or caffeine can contribute to bone loss. If you are experiencing bone loss, you may want to reduce or stop these habits.
- Know the effects of medication: Some medicines can contribute to bone loss, such as hydrocortisone and prednisone (used for such conditions as arthritis, asthma, and certain skin disorders). If you take these medicines, ask your doctor about bone-related side effects.
- Monitor your progress: Your doctor will determine if follow-up bone mineral density tests can help keep track of your bone health.
- Commit to taking action: With the help of your doctor, you can develop a program of diet, exercise, and prescription therapy that can help keep your bones healthy and help reverse bone loss.
Ask your doctor about FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D.
Learn about the benefits of 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.