ALENDRONATE-ORAL (cont.)
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking alendronate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other bisphosphonates; or if you have any other allergies. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: disorders of the esophagus (e.g., esophageal stricture or achalasia), inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes, low calcium levels, severe kidney disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: trouble swallowing, stomach/intestinal disorders (e.g., ulcers). Infrequently, serious jawbone problems (osteonecrosis) have occurred in people taking similar medication. Most people were also using other medications or had conditions which might have actually caused the jawbone problem. If you have cancer, anemia, blood clotting disorders, infections in the mouth or other diseases of the mouth, or poor dental hygiene, see your dentist for a full examination/treatment before you start alendronate. Make sure he/she knows your entire medical history, any cancer radiation treatments, and also all the medications you are using, especially corticosteroids such as prednisone, cancer chemotherapy, and alendronate. Consult your dentist for more details. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), hormone replacement (e.g., estrogens, progestins), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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