Adapted from Wasnich RD et al. Osteoporosis: Critique and Practicum. Honolulu, Hawaii: Banyam Press; 1989.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become more porous, gradually making them weaker and more brittle. (“Osteo” means bone; “porosis” means porous.) Our bodies go through a continuous bone-building cycle, in which old bone is broken down and new bone is formed. Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in this cycle, in which too much bone is broken down and not completely built.
Today, over 10 million individuals have or are at risk of osteoporosis—80% are women. Almost 34 million more have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Yet only a relatively small number of men and women with osteoporosis have been diagnosed or treated.
If your doctor tells you that you have osteoporosis, it means that your bone mass is below normal—at least 20% below that of a population of healthy young adult women. There are no symptoms so you can’t feel your bones becoming weak. Sometimes, women will not know they have thinning bones until a bone breaks.
Ask your doctor about a bone mineral density (BMD) test.
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.