What Are the Dangers of Fosamax?
Fosamax is a prescription medication used in the prevention of bone loss for the treatment of osteoporosis. Also used to treat other diseases such as Pagets bone disease, Fosamax was approved by the FDA and has been prescribed since 1995. Fosamax should be taken under strict guidelines in order to avoid unpleasant and dangerous side effects, such as severe swelling of the face or jaw, serious skin irritation or chest pain.
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Severe Side Effects
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Occasionally, taking Fosamax can cause serious side effects. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience swelling of the face or if you experience chest or back pain or a pain under the ribs. Alert your doctor immediately if you experience severe joint pain, muscle or bone pain. Fosamax may also cause numbness or pain in the jaw or neck, as well as heartburn.
Mild Side Effects
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Less severe side effects of taking Fosamax include mild joint pain or swelling, diarrhea or constipation as well as upset stomach or mild heartburn. Fosamax may also cause nausea or headache and the feeling of weakness. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience any side effects while taking Fosamax.
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Precaution
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Do not lie down within 30 minutes of taking Fosamax, as this will affect how Fosamax is absorbed into the body. This is very important as failure to stay upright for atleast thirty minutes can cause problems in the esophagus and stomach. To help avoid side effects and nausea, Fosamax should be taken first thing in the morning with a full glass of water. Do not eat or drink anything aside from water when you take Fosamax.
Interaction
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Certain types of drugs will interact with Fosamax and should not be taken. Antacids (such as Rolaids/Tums), vitamin supplements that contain aluminum, calcium or magnesium may interfere with how your body will absorb Fosamax. Do not take any of these medications within one half hour of taking Fosamax. Also, alert your doctor if you use aspirin or are currently taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (either prescription or over the counter drugs such as Motrin or Aleve).
Warning
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To ensure that Fosamax is helping your condition, bone mineral density tests will be conducted on a regular basis. It is very important that you not miss or skip your appointments. Tell your doctor if you have a history of low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), or kidney disease before taking Fosamax. Also be sure to mention if you have or have a history of ulcers or Vitamin D deficiency.
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