Product Details

What you need to know before you take Alendronic Acid
Do not take Alendronic Acid:
• if you are allergic to alendronic acid or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• if you have problems with your gullet (oesophagus – the tube that connects your
mouth with your stomach) causing difficulty swallowing or food to become stuck
• if you know you have very low blood levels of calcium (hypocalcaemia)
• if you are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes.
Warnings and precautions:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alendronic Acid:
• if you suffer from kidney problems
• if you have any swallowing or digestive or gut problems or if in the last year you
have had a stomach ulcer, bleed or surgery in the stomach, gullet or throat
• if you have pain on swallowing
• if you have been told you have low blood levels of calcium or you suffer from
vitamin D deficiency or hypoparathyroidism (which can affect calcium levels). These need to be treated before you start taking Alendronic Acid
• if your doctor has told you that you have Barrett’s oesophagus (a condition associated with changes in the cells that line the lower oesophagus)
Irritation, inflammation or ulceration of the gullet often with symptoms of chest pain, heartburn, or difficulty or pain upon swallowing may occur, especially if the tablets are not taken with a full glass of water and/or if you lie down less than 30 minutes after taking the tablets. These side effects may worsen if you continue to take the tablets after developing these symptoms. See the ‘How to take’ instructions later on in this leaflet to see how you should take the tablets. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Dental and jaw problems
Alendronic Acid can cause damage, including the death or loss of bone in the jaw. This risk is increased:
• if you have poor dental health, gum disease, poorly fitted dentures, a planned dental extraction or you do not receive routine dental care
• if you have cancer
• if you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• if you are taking corticosteroids (such as prednisone or dexamethasone)
• if you are taking angiogenesis inhibitors – medicines used in the treatment of cancer to prevent the growth of new blood vessels, such as bevacizumab or thalidomide
• if you are or have been a smoker
Therefore you may be advised to have a dental check-up before starting treatment with Alendronic Acid.
It is important to maintain good oral hygiene when being treated with Alendronic Acid. You should have routine dental check-ups throughout your treatment and you should contact your doctor or dentist if you experience any problems with your mouth or teeth such as loose teeth, pain or swelling.
Children and adolescents:
Alendronic Acid should not be given to children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.
Other medicines and Alendronic Acid:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines including medicines obtained without a prescription, or any of the following:
• calcium supplements
• antacids for indigestion
• corticosteroid medicines, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, used to reduce
inflammation; as it is important that you have a good dietary intake of calcium and
vitamin D (a risk factor for dental problems – see ‘Dental and jaw problems’)
• certain medicines for rheumatism or long-term pain called NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin or
ibuprofen) might cause digestive problems. Therefore, caution should be used when
these medicines are taken at the same time as Alendronic Acid.
Wait at least 30 minutes after taking Alendronic Acid before taking any other medicines.
Alendronic Acid with food and drink:
If taken at the same time it is likely that food and drink (including mineral water) will interfere with the absorption of Alendronic Acid. Therefore you should take Alendronic Acid with plain water at least 30 minutes before any food or drink.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
Alendronic Acid is only intended for use in post-menopausal women. Do not take Alendronic Acid if you are pregnant, or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines:
There have been side effects (including blurred vision, dizziness and severe bone, muscle or joint pain) reported with alendronic acid that may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are sure you are not affected.
Alendronic Acid contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Alendronic Acid contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say
essentially ‘sodium-free