Active ingredient
- alendronate sodium trihydrate
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL30306/0529.
Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
(alendronic acid)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
3. How to take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets are and what they are used for
Alendronic acid belongs to a group of non-hormonal medicines known as bisphosphonates, which prevent bone loss from the body.
Alendronic acid is used to treat a condition called osteoporosis (brittle bones). This condition is common in women after the menopause. The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of her developing osteoporosis.
Without treatment, osteoporosis can cause thinning and weakening of the bones in the skeleton which can then lead to fractures, usually of the hip, backbone and wrists. Fractures can occur easily in people suffering from osteoporosis including during normal everyday activities such as heavy lifting or from a minor injury or fall.
Alendronic acid helps to prevent bone loss and to build up bone which may have been lost due to osteoporosis. It can therefore reduce the risk of back and hip fractures.
2. What you need to know before you take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
Do not take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets:
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking these tablets:
It is important to maintain good oral hygiene when being treated with Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets. 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.
Other medicines and Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Do not take any other medicines orally (by mouth) at the same time as taking Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets. You should leave at least 30 minutes between your dose of Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets and any other oral medicines. It is important that you follow all of the advice given in section 3 - ‘How to take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets.
You should speak to your Doctor before you take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets if you are currently taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets with food and drink
These tablets must be taken on an empty stomach as food and drink can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the medicine. You must take the tablets with a full glass of plain water at least 30 minutes before any other food or drink. It is important that you follow all of the advice given in section 3 - ‘How to take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets.’
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
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. Do not take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets are not expected to have any effects on your ability to drive and use machines. However in rare cases patients taking Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets can suffer from side effects including dizziness, severe muscle joint and bone pain and eye pain or inflammation. If you are affected in this way, you should contact your doctor before driving or using machinery.
Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets contain lactose
These tablets contain lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. How to take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets must be taken once a week.
The following instructions are particularly important to ensure that your medicine is effective and to reduce the likelihood of the medicine irritating your oesophagus (gullet):
Your doctor may also ask you to take vitamin D or calcium supplements whilst you are taking Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets. If so, you should follow your doctor’s advice carefully.
It is important that you continue to take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets for as long as your doctor recommends. Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets can only treat your osteoporosis effectively if you continue to take the tablets.
Use in children and adolescents
Alendronate should not be given to children and adolescents.
If you take more Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets than you should
You may suffer from a stomach upset, heartburn, inflammation of the gullet or stomach, muscle and stomach cramps, spasms, weakness and fits. You should drink a full glass of milk and contact your nearest doctor or hospital casualty department immediately. Do not try and make yourself sick (vomit) and do not lie down.
If you forget to take Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
Take one tablet on getting up the next morning after you remember.
Do not take two tablets on the same day. Return to taking one tablet once a week on the day that you originally decided upon. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
All medicines can cause allergic reactions, although serious allergic reactions are very rare. You should stop taking Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets and tell your doctor immediately if you get any of the following symptoms:
If you have difficulty and/or pain when swallowing, you feel pain behind the breast-bone or new or worsened heartburn, stop taking Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets and contact your doctor. If you ignore these symptoms and continue to take your tablets it is likely that these gullet reactions may get worse.
The following side effects have been reported:
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use your medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP:. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets contain:
What Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Alendronic Acid 70mg Tablets are white to off-white oval tablets stamped ’AN 70‘ on one side and ‘>’ on the other.
The tablets are available in blister packs of 2, 4, 8, 12 and 40 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Manufacturer:
This leaflet was last revised in November 2015.
AAAI5492
Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 8NS, UK
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