How much does Fosamax reduce fracture risk?
Alendronate significantly reduced the risk of clinical fractures by 36% (RH, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50-0.82; placebo-treatment difference, 6.5%; NNT, 15) in women whose initial femoral neck T score was −2.5 or less.
Does Fosamax prevent bone fractures?
Fosamax and other drugs such as Actonel, Boniva, and Reclast increase bone density and help prevent and treat osteoporosis and/or reduce the risk of fractures.
Can Fosamax cause brittle bones?
In rare cases, people who take the drug may suffer from serious side effects such as femur fractures, jaw problems and esophageal ulcers. For many people, one of the worries that comes with getting older is the risk of developing osteoporosis. This debilitating disease makes bones so brittle they easily break.
Can Fosamax cause hip fractures?
March 24, 2010 — Weird below-the-hip thigh fractures linked to Fosamax and other osteoporosis drugs are rare — but even if they tripled these injuries, they’d still prevent more fractures than they caused.
How effective is alendronate for osteoporosis?
Treatment with 10 mg of alendronate daily for 10 years produced mean increases in bone mineral density of 13.7 percent at the lumbar spine (95 percent confidence interval, 12.0 to 15.5 percent), 10.3 percent at the trochanter (95 percent confidence interval, 8.1 to 12.4 percent), 5.4 percent at the femoral neck (95 …
How does alendronate increase bone mass?
Previous studies indicated that aminobisphosphonate alendronate sodium, a potent inhibitor of bone resorption, increases bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and spine, reduces markers of bone turnover, and reduces the risk of fractures in Caucasian postmenopausal women.
Should you take a break from Fosamax?
Before stopping Fosamax or any medication, it is important to consult your doctor. Based upon your medical history and individual health risks, your doctor may suggest taking a break. If you do decide to stop taking Fosamax, doctors recommend having regular bone density tests to monitor your status.
How long does it take for Fosamax to strengthen bones?
Response and effectiveness. Fosamax starts to affect markers that reflect bone resorption within one month of treatment and reaches a plateau by three to six months.
Does Fosamax cause femur fractures?
Fosamax Bone Fractures Though Fosamax is given to prevent bone loss and fractures, in some cases, Fosamax side effects may contribute to weakened and broken bones. Fosamax-related fractures may occur in the femur, which is one of the body’s strongest bones or may result from damage to the jawbone.
Can alendronate cause fractures?
Abstract. Several recent medical articles have described multiple cases of unusual low-impact subtrochanteric stress fractures or completed fractures of the femur in patients who have been on the bisphosphonate alendronate for several years for osteoporosis or osteopenia.
Who should not take alendronate?
You should not take alendronate if you have problems with your esophagus, or low levels of calcium in your blood. Do not take alendronate if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine. Alendronate can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus.
What are the long term side effects of alendronate?
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Ulcers or erosions of your esophagus. Symptoms can include:
- Bone death of your jaw. Symptoms can include:
- Unusual bone breaks in your hip and leg bones.
- Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in your blood).
- Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.
The first-of-its-kind study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that the oral bisphosphonates risedronate and alendronate equally protect against hip fracture during a 2-year drug holiday. However, the risk increases slightly for those taking a break from risedronate.
What are the risks of taking Fosamax?
– Blurred vision or other change in vision – dizziness or lightheadedness – eye pain – feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings – general feeling of discomfort or illness – hair loss or thinning of the hair – sensation of spinning – sensitivity of the eye to light – tearing
Can Fosamax reverse osteoporosis?
Fosamax may also be used to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of the bone. Fosamax may also be used to treat adverse skeletal effects caused by some cancers. Some studies have shown that Fosamax may be more effective than other bisphosphonates such as risedronate at increasing bone mineral density and reducing bone turnover without a higher risk of side effects.
What to expect after distal humerus fractures?
The humerus is the arm bone between your shoulder and your elbow.