Drug Information Regarding Fosamax Plus D
Fosamax is arguably the most popular bone-strengthening drug prescribed for bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteitis deformans – Paget’s disease. It has received both positive and negative feedbacks including the link between Fosamax and esophageal cancer which FDA recently reviewed. While Fosamax has been widely received by the many, its cousin drug – Fosamax Plus D – deserves equal attention for its probably equivalent effect.
The generic counterpart of Fosamax Plus D is alendronate sodium and cholecalciferol. Alendronate is a biphosphonate that acts on the bone resorption of matured bone tissues which is part of the bone cycle. Bone breakdown is diminished while bone mineral density is improved.
On the contrary, cholecalciferol, is the partially active form of vitamin D after being synthesized by sunlight. It is later translated in to calcitriol which is the active calcium regulating hormone. This hormone is in charge for the regulation of calcium in the blood by:
- Decreasing the calcium excretion to the urine by the kidney
- Increasing the release of calcium into the blood from bone
- Increasing the absorption of calcium from the small intestine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Fosamax Plus D to be given as treatment for osteoporosis in menopausal women as well as in men to boost their bone mineral density. But, patients suffering from diseases where there is excessive production of vitamin D, e.g. leukemia, giving this drug is contraindicated. Furthermore, this is also not advised to patients with renal insufficiency or renal failure.
Dosing instructions for Fosamax Plus D is very much alike with that of Fosamax. You need to take the drug after rising from the bed and at least 30 minutes before eating your first food or taking your first drink or other medications. It should be administered with a full glass of plain water (not mineral water or other beverage) and you need to stand or sit upright for the next 30 minutes.
Fosamax Plus D has similar side effects with Fosamax chiefly because alendronate is present in both drugs. Furthermore, due to the added vitamin D in this medication, serum vitamin D level is monitored as hypervitaminosis or overdose of vitamin D may occur. These concerns need to be discussed with your physician.
Because it contains analogous substance with Fosamax, Fosamax D may also yield severe adverse events such as a typical fracture in the femur and death of jawbone tissue. Several people have filed a Fosamax lawsuit against Merck, the drug manufacturer.
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