How and when to take alendronic acid - Brand names: Fosamax, Binosto

Dosage and how to take alendronic acid

Dosage and strength

Always follow the instructions that come with the alendronic acid, or the advice from your doctor.

The usual dose of alendronic acid for adults is 70mg taken once a week.

You'll usually take it as a standard tablet, a liquid that you drink or a tablet that dissolves in water (soluble).

Alendronic acid is also available as a 10mg tablet you take once a day.

How to take it

Whether you take alendronic acid daily or weekly, you need to take it at the same time of day. If you take it weekly, choose a day that suits your routine.

The best time of day to take your medicine is usually 30 minutes before you have breakfast. Take it on an empty stomach, before you have anything to eat or drink (other than plain tap water) and before you take any other medicines that you swallow.

Alendronic acid works best on an empty stomach because your body can absorb it properly.

Do not take alendronic acid with still or sparkling mineral water, tea, coffee, juice or milk. These drinks can affect the way the medicine works by reducing how much is absorbed. Take your medicine with tap water.

If it's not safe to drink your tap water for any reason, you can boil it and let it cool before you drink it.

It's also important to take alendronic acid while you're sitting up or standing. Try to stay upright for 30 minutes after taking your medicine – you can be sitting, standing or walking. Do not take alendronic acid at bedtime.

How long to take it for

You'll usually take alendronic acid long term, for at least 3 to 5 years. Your doctor will then review your dose and talk to you about whether you still need it.

If you're having long-term treatment with steroids, you'll usually take alendronic acid until your steroid treatment stops. Your doctor will then review whether you need to carry on.

For other health conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes, your doctor will usually assess your risk of getting broken bones every 3 to 5 years. This may include tests to check the strength (density) of your bones.

Depending on the results, you'll either keep taking alendronic acid, take a break from it or stop taking it completely.

If you forget to take it

If you usually take alendronic acid every day and miss your dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as normal on the following morning.

If you usually take alendronic acid once a week and miss your dose, take 1 tablet on the morning after you remember. Do not take 2 doses on the same day. You can then take your next dose at the usual time.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of alendronic acid, drink a full glass of milk. Do not make yourself vomit, and stay sitting or standing up for 30 minutes after you've taken it.