What Osteofos Once Weekly is used for
Osteofos Once Weekly is used to treat osteoporosis. This condition is caused by changes in the way bone is normally maintained.
Understanding Bone
Bone is living, growing tissue. Throughout life, our bodies are breaking down old bone and rebuilding new bone in a continuous cycle. Until our late 20s, while bones are still developing, we gain bone by building more than we lose.
From then until about age 35 the process is usually in balance, so that the amount of bone lost is about equal to the amount that is replaced. After about age 35 this balance is disturbed, with bone loss occurring at a slightly faster rate than it can be replaced. In women, after menopause, hormonal changes cause bone loss at an even faster rate.
When bone loss is excessive, bones can become thinner and weaker, and therefore are more likely to break.
Osteoporosis
"Osteo" means bone, and "porosis" means something that has holes in it, like a sponge. Therefore, osteoporosis is a disease which causes bones to become more porous, gradually making them weaker, more brittle and likely to break. Osteoporosis is common in postmenopausal women.
The menopause occurs when the ovaries virtually stop producing the female hormone, oestrogen, or are removed (which may occur, for example, at the time of a hysterectomy). At this time, bone is removed faster than it is formed, so bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis also occurs in men but is less common than in women.
Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms. However, if left untreated it can result in broken bones, also called fractures. Although fractures usually cause pain, fractures of the bones of the spine may go unnoticed until they cause height loss. Fractures may occur during normal, everyday activity, such as lifting, or from minor injury that would not ordinarily fracture normal bone. Fractures usually occur at the hip, spine, or wrist and can lead not only to pain, but also to considerable deformity and disability, such as stooped posture from curvature of the spine, and loss of mobility.
How does Osteofos Once Weekly work?
Osteofos Once Weekly works by slowing down the process of old bone being removed, which allows the bone-forming cells time to rebuild normal bone.
Osteofos Once Weekly not only helps prevent the loss of bone but actually helps to rebuild bone and makes bone less likely to fracture. Thus, Osteofos Once Weekly reverses the progression of osteoporosis.
Osteofos Once Weekly starts working on the bone cells immediately, but measurable effects on bone mass may not be seen for several months or more.
Dosage and Administrattion
The recommended dosage is one 70 mg tablet once weekly.
To permit adequate absorption of alendronate Osteofos Once Weekly must be taken at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or medicinal product of the day with plain water only. Other beverages (including mineral water), food and some medicinal products are likely to reduce the absorption of alendronate.
Notes
Osteofos 70 (Generic Fosamax 70 mg) should only be swallowed upon arising for the day with a full glass of water (not less than 200 ml or 7 fl.oz.).
Patients should not chew the tablet or allow the tablet to dissolve in their mouths because of a potential for oropharyngeal ulceration.
Patients should not lie down until after their first food of the day which should be at least 30 minutes after taking the tablet.
Patients should not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking Osteofos 70 (Generic Fosamax 70 mg).
Osteofos 70 (Generic Fosamax 70 mg) should not be taken at bedtime or before arising for the day.
Patients should receive supplemental calcium and vitamin D if dietary intake is inadequate.
Use in the elderly
In clinical studies there was no age-related difference in the efficacy or safety profiles of alendronate. Therefore no dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly.
Use in renal impairment
No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with GFR greater than 35 ml/min. Alendronate is not recommended for patients with renal impairment where GFR is less than 35 ml/min, due to lack of experience.
Use in children
Alendronate has not been studied in children and should not be given to them.
Osteofos Once Weekly has not been investigated in the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
| 
