Fostepor Once Weekly Tablets

• It is very important to follow instructions 2), 3), 4) and 5) to help the Fostepor tablet reach your stomach quickly and help reduce the chance of irritating your gullet (oesophagus - the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach).

After getting up for the day and before taking any food, drink, or other medicine, swallow your Fostepor tablet whole with a full glass of water only (not mineral water) (not less than 200 ml or 7 fl. oz.).

• Do not take with mineral water (still or sparkling).
• Do not take with coffee or tea.
• Do not take with juice or milk.

Do not crush or chew the tablet or allow it to dissolve in your mouth.

• Do not lie down — stay fully upright (sitting, standing or walking) — for at least 30 minutes after swallowing the tablet. Do not lie down until after your first food of the day.
• Do not take Fostepor at bedtime or before getting up for the day.
• If you develop difficulty or pain upon swallowing, chest pain, or new or worsening heartburn, stop taking Fostepor and contact your doctor.
• After swallowing your Fostepor tablet, wait at least 30 minutes before taking your first food, drink, or other medicine of the day, including antacids, calcium supplements and vitamins. Fostepor is effective only if taken when your stomach is empty.

What’s the dose?

• One 70mg tablet once a week.

Could it interact with other tablets?

• It is likely that calcium supplements, antacids, and some oral medicines will interfere with the absorption of Fosamax if taken at the same time. Therefore, it is important that you follow the advice given in the previous section “when and how do I take it?”
• Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
• Herbal supplements should be used with caution and only after informing your doctor first.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Like all medicines, Fostepor can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common side effects include:

• heartburn
• difficulty swallowing
• pain upon swallowing
• ulceration of the gullet (oesophagus - the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach) which can cause chest pain
• heartburn or difficulty or pain upon swallowing
• bone, muscle and/or joint pain
• abdominal pain; uncomfortable feeling in the stomach or belching after eating; constipation; full or bloated feeling in the stomach; diarrhoea; flatulence.
• headache.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• There are no known interactions between alcohol and Fostepor.
• Always ask your doctor/pharmacist however as this may depend on what other tablets you are taking.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Fostepor should not be used during pregnancy or while breast feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.
 

References:

http://www.medicinenet.com/alendronate/article.htm

http://www.drugs.com/fosamax.html

http://www.drugwatch.com/fosamax/

http://www.rxlist.com/fosamax-drug.htm

https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/f/fosamax/fosamax_pi.pdf