Fosavance (Alendronic Acid) Tablets

Active ingredient
Alendronic acid 70 mg and 5600 IU vitamin D.

Excipients
Microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous lactose, medium chain triglycerides, gelatin, croscarmellose sodium, sucrose, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, butyl hydroxytoluene, modified corn starch, sodium aluminum silicate.

How to use FOSAVANCE?

You should follow the instructions below carefully:

1. Choose a day that best fits your schedule. Take one FOSAVANCE each week on the day of your choice.

It is important to follow steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 below to ensure that FOSAVANCE can quickly reach your stomach and avoid the risk of irritating your esophagus.

2. After waking up on the day of your choice and before taking your first food, drink or other medication of the day, swallow FOSAVANCE with a full glass of water (not less than 200 ml) only, so that FOSAVANCE has enough will be absorbed.
Do not take it with mineral water.
Do not take it with coffee or tea.
Do not take it with fruit juice or milk.

Do not break or chew or suck the tablet because of possible mouth sores.

3. Do not lie down after swallowing the tablet. Stay fully upright (sitting, standing, or walking) for at least 30 minutes. Do not lie down until you have eaten the first food of the day.

4. Do not take FOSAVANCE before going to bed at night or before getting up in the morning.

5. If you experience difficulty or pain when swallowing, chest pain, or new or worsening heartburn, stop taking FOSAVANCE and contact your doctor.

6. After swallowing FOSAVANCE, wait at least 30 minutes before taking the first food of the day, drink or any other medicine you will take that day, including antacids, calcium supplements and vitamins. FOSAVANCE is only effective when your stomach is empty.
Use in the elderly

There is no need for dose adjustment for FOSAVANCE in the elderly.
Use in children

FOSAVANCE should not be given to children under 18 years of age or to adolescents.
Special use cases

Use in renal failure:

FOSAVANCE is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment.
Use in liver failure:

No dose adjustment is required for alendronate in patients with liver dysfunction.

If you have an impression that the effect of FOSAVANCE is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use more FOSAVANCE than you should

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you have used more than you should use from FOSAVANCE.

If you accidentally take more than one tablet at a time, drink a full glass of milk and consult your doctor immediately. Do not try to vomit and do not lie down.
If you forgot to use FOSAVANCE

If you miss a dose, take only one the morning after you remember. Do not take two tablets on the same day. Continue to take one tablet once a week on the day you choose, as in your own schedule.

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.
Effects that may occur when treatment with FOSAVANCE is terminated

It is important that you continue to use FOSAVANCE for as long as your doctor has prescribed. As it is not known how long you should use FOSAVANCE, you should discuss your continuing with your doctor periodically to determine if FOSAVANCE is still right for you.
Possible side effects?

Like all medicines, people who are sensitive to the ingredients of FOSAVANCE may have side effects.

If any of the following occur stop using FOSAVANCE and IMMEDIATELY inform your doctor or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital

Very common (can be seen in at least 1 of 10 patients):
Bone, muscle and / or joint pain that is sometimes aggravated.

Common (less than one in 10 patients, but can be seen in at least one of 100 patients):
Joint swelling,
Abdominal pain, discomfort in the stomach or belching after eating, constipation, full and bloated feeling in the stomach, diarrhea, gas in the stomach,
Hair loss, itching,
Headache, dizziness,
Fatigue, swelling in the hands and legs.

Uncommon (less than one in 100 patients, but can be seen in at least one in 1000 patients):
Nausea, vomiting,
Inflammation or irritation in the esophagus or stomach,
Black or tar-like stools,
Blurred vision; pain or redness in the eyes,
Skin rash, redness,
Transient flu-like symptoms, myalgia, feeling unwell and sometimes fever at the start of treatment
Taste disturbance.

Rare (may be seen in less than one in 1000 patients but in at least one in 10,000 patients):
Signs of low calcium levels in the blood, including muscle cramps and spasms and / or a tingling sensation in the fingers or around the lips,
Abdominal or stomach ulcers (sometimes severe or bleeding),
Narrowing in the esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to the stomach),
Skin rash worsened by sunlight, severe skin reactions,
Mouth sores.