Drug Name: | Alendronic Acid |
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Drug Class: | Bisphosphonate |
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Mechanism of Action: | - Inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption by binding to hydroxyapatite crystals in bone and inhibiting their dissolution
- Reduces bone turnover and increases bone mineral density
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Use: | - Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
- Treatment of osteoporosis in men
- Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
- Paget's disease of bone
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Side Effects: | - Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia)
- Esophageal irritation and ulceration
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Headache
- Hypocalcemia
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
- Atypical femoral fractures
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Contraindications: | - Hypersensitivity to alendronic acid or any component of the formulation
- Abnormalities of the esophagus that delay esophageal emptying (e.g. stricture or achalasia)
- Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
- Hypocalcemia
- Severe renal impairment
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Specialty: | - Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
- Geriatrics
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