Fosamax Plus D

Fosamax Plus D is used for:

User Reviews & Ratings As a treatment for... Avg User Ratings [?] Osteoporosis 0 reviews Rate it! 9.5 Compare with other drugs.

Treating and preventing osteoporosis in certain patients. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Fosamax Plus D is a bisphosphonate and vitamin D combination. The bisphosphonate works by slowing bone loss. Vitamin D helps the body to form bone normally.

Do NOT use Fosamax Plus D if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fosamax Plus D
• you have certain esophagus problems (eg, narrowing, blockage)
• you are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
• you have low blood calcium levels or severe kidney problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fosamax Plus D :

Some medical conditions may interact with Fosamax Plus D . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation, nutrient absorption problems, ulcer), esophagus problems (eg, heartburn, reflux disease, severe irritation), or kidney problems, or if you have difficult or painful swallowing
• if you have high or low blood vitamin D levels, poor health, cancer (eg, leukemia, lymphoma), anemia, blood clotting problems, an infection, sarcoidosis, or calcium metabolism problems
• if you have poor dental hygiene, other dental problems, or you will be having a dental procedure
• if you smoke or drink alcohol
• if you take a corticosteroid (eg, prednisone), or you have had or will be having chemotherapy or radiation treatment
• if you are a woman who has not yet reached menopause
• if you have a mental disorder or other condition that may decrease your ability to follow the dosing instructions for Fosamax Plus D

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fosamax Plus D . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because the risk of side effects, such as esophagus or stomach irritation, may be increased
• Anticonvulsants (eg, phenytoin), bile acid sequestrants (eg, cholestyramine, colestipol), cimetidine, mineral oil, olestra, orlistat, or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because they may decrease Fosamax Plus D 's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fosamax Plus D may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fosamax Plus D :

Use Fosamax Plus D as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Fosamax Plus D . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Swallow Fosamax Plus D whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or suck on the tablet before swallowing.
• Take Fosamax Plus D by mouth on an empty stomach in the morning at least 30 minutes before your first food, drink, or other medicine of the day. Do NOT take Fosamax Plus D at bedtime or before you get out of bed in the morning.
• Take Fosamax Plus D with a full glass of plain water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not take Fosamax Plus D with mineral water, coffee, tea, or juice. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Fosamax Plus D and until you eat your first food of the day.
• Fosamax Plus D is usually taken 1 time each week. Be sure you understand how to take Fosamax Plus D . Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Continue to use Fosamax Plus D even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Fosamax Plus D , do not take it later in the day. Take it on the morning after you remember and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fosamax Plus D .

Important safety information:

• Fosamax Plus D may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Fosamax Plus D with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol, smoke, or use other tobacco products while taking Fosamax Plus D .
• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a calcium and vitamin D supplement while you use Fosamax Plus D .
• Talk to your doctor about the use of weight-bearing exercises to help prevent weak bones.
• Products that contain olestra may decrease the absorption of vitamin D. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about eating foods that contain olestra while you take Fosamax Plus D .
• Fosamax Plus D may cause jaw bone problems in some patients. Your risk may be greater if you have cancer, poor dental hygiene, or certain other conditions (eg, anemia, blood clotting problems, dental problems, infection). You risk may also be greater if you use certain medicines or therapies (eg, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, radiation). Talk to your doctor about having a dental exam before you start to use Fosamax Plus D . Ask your doctor any questions you may have about dental treatment while you use Fosamax Plus D .
• Proper dental care is important while you are taking Fosamax Plus D . Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
• Fosamax Plus D may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Fosamax Plus D . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Fosamax Plus D before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including bone density, blood calcium levels, and blood vitamin D levels, may be performed while you use Fosamax Plus D . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Fosamax Plus D should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Fosamax Plus D while you are pregnant. Fosamax Plus D is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Fosamax Plus D , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Fosamax Plus D :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bone, muscle, or joint pain; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; feeling bloated or full; flu-like symptoms at the start of treatment; gas; headache; mild stomach pain; nausea; taste changes; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry, or bloody stools; chest pain; coughing or vomiting blood; difficult or painful swallowing; mouth sores; new, worsening, or severe heartburn; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe bone, muscle, or joint pain; severe or persistent sore throat or stomach pain; swelling of the hands, legs, or joints; swelling or pain in the jaw.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Drink a full glass (8 oz/240 mL) of milk. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes or as directed by your doctor. Do not try to vomit. Symptoms may include loss of appetite; painful swallowing; severe heartburn; sluggishness; stomach pain or upset; unusual weakness.

Store Fosamax Plus D at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in the original blister package. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Fosamax Plus D out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Fosamax Plus D , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Fosamax Plus D is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fosamax Plus D . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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