{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"alendronate","kind":"medication","name":"alendronate","aliases":["Fosamax","alendronic acid"],"brands_sg":["Fosamax","Apo-Alendronate","Alendronate Sandoz","Fosacord","Binosto"],"class":"bisphosphonate","tags":["hormonal"],"use_for":"osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in men","use_after":"sg label: on waking, 30 min before food or medicine","use_duration":null,"take_with":"plain water only · label: upright for 30 minutes after","pros":["sg label: one 70 mg tablet once weekly","label: no dose change in mild-moderate renal impairment","healthhub: generally well tolerated"],"cons":["stomach upset, headache and joint aches are common","calcium, iron and magnesium block absorption","rare jaw and thigh-bone problems are reported"],"dose_note":"the sg fosamax 70 mg label gives one dose and no titration: \"The recommended dosage is one 70 mg tablet once weekly.\" the same label says it \"must be taken at least one-half hour before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day with plain water only\" — as directed on the label or by your doctor or pharmacist","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"prescription-only","cautions":["kidney problems — healthhub asks that existing kidney problems be declared; the sg label is not recommended below 35 mL/min creatinine clearance","trouble swallowing or an oesophagus that empties slowly, and inability to stand or sit upright for 30 minutes — sg label contraindications","low blood calcium (hypocalcaemia) — an sg label contraindication","dental work — healthhub notes a dentist visit may be asked for before starting, and that the dentist should be told about this medicine"],"clashes":[{"src":["hh_alendronic_food","nhs_alen_int"],"note":"healthhub: these are among the products to keep at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, apart from the dose","with":"calcium, iron or magnesium supplements and multivitamins"},{"src":["nhs_alen_int"],"note":"nhs lists them among medicines that stop alendronic acid working properly if taken at the same time","with":"antacids and magnesium-containing laxatives"},{"src":["nhs_alen_int"],"note":"nhs: these may increase the risk of damage to the jawbone","with":"steroids such as prednisolone or dexamethasone"},{"src":["nhs_alen_int"],"note":"nhs: can increase the risk of irritating the food pipe, stomach or gut","with":"nsaids such as ibuprofen"},{"src":["hh_alendronic_food"],"food":true,"note":"healthhub: high-calcium food and drink reduce absorption if taken too soon after the dose","with":"dairy, soya and coffee or tea with milk"}],"sources":[{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/api/action/datastore_search?resource_id=d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084&limit=6000","label":"HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084), Forensicclassification column; all 5,511 rows cached at /tmp/hsa_all.json and filtered locally, not re-fetched","quote":"FOSAMAX TABLET 70 mg SIN11446P | ALENDRONATE SODIUM 91.37 mg EQV ALENDRONIC ACID | Prescription Only | M05BA04; APO-ALENDRONATE 10MG SIN13558P; ALENDRONATE SANDOZ 70MG SIN14582P; FOSACORD 70 SIN16511P; BUFFERED BINOSTO 70MG SIN15268P — all 9 alendronate rows Prescription Only","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_fosamax","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin11446p/","label":"MOH National Drug Formulary (Singapore) — FOSAMAX TABLET 70 MG [SIN11446P], product information","quote":"ALENDRONATE SODIUM 91.37 MG EQV ALENDRONIC ACID - 70 MG … Forensic Classification PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINES … Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code M05BA04 … Prescription-only Medicines with Exemptions for Supply without Prescription NA","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_apo_alen10","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin13558p/","label":"MOH National Drug Formulary (Singapore) — APO-ALENDRONATE 10MG TABLET [SIN13558P], product information (the only 10 mg alendronate registered in SG)","quote":"ALENDRONATE (EQV ALENDRONATE SODIUM TRIHYDRATE 13.05 MG) - 10 MG … Forensic Classification PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINES … Prescription-only Medicines with Exemptions for Supply without Prescription NA","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_fosamax_ind","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin11446p/","label":"MOH National Drug Formulary (Singapore) — FOSAMAX [SIN11446P], II. Indications","quote":"FOSAMAX is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. For the treatment of osteoporosis, FOSAMAX reduces the incidence of fractures, including those of the hip and spine … FOSAMAX is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in men.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_fosamax_dose","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin11446p/","label":"MOH National Drug Formulary (Singapore) — FOSAMAX [SIN11446P], III. Dosage and Administration","quote":"Treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in men The recommended dosage is one 70 mg tablet once weekly.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_fosamax_admin","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin11446p/","label":"MOH National Drug Formulary (Singapore) — FOSAMAX [SIN11446P], administration timing","quote":"FOSAMAX must be taken at least one-half hour before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day with plain water only … patients should not lie down for at least 30 minutes","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_fosamax_renal","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin11446p/","label":"MOH National Drug Formulary (Singapore) — FOSAMAX [SIN11446P], renal dosing","quote":"No dosage adjustment is necessary for the elderly or for patients with mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance 35 to 60 mL/min). FOSAMAX is not recommended for patients with more severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance < 35 mL/min)","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_fosamax_ci","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin11446p/","label":"MOH National Drug Formulary (Singapore) — FOSAMAX [SIN11446P], V. Contraindications","quote":"Abnormalities of the esophagus which delay esophageal emptying such as stricture or achalasia … Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes … Hypocalcemia","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alendronic","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alendronic-acid","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Alendronic acid, medication information leaflet (reviewed 13 July 2026)","quote":"Alendronic acid belongs to a class of medication called “bisphosphonates”. They are used to treat and prevent osteoporosis – a condition which causes the bones to become weak and fragile.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alendronic_admin","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alendronic-acid","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Alendronic acid, how to take it","quote":"Take this medication first thing in the morning upon waking up, on an empty stomach … Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of plain water (no other drinks)","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alendronic_prec","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alendronic-acid","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Alendronic acid, precautions","quote":"You have any existing kidney problems … Maintain good oral hygiene and go for regular dental check-ups. Your doctor may also require you to visit a dentist before starting on Alendronic acid.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alendronic_se","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alendronic-acid","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Alendronic acid, common side effects","quote":"Generally, this medication has been well tolerated … Common side effects include: Mild stomach disturbances (e.g. acid reflux, stomach fullness or bloatedness, diarrhoea or constipation) Headache Bone, muscle and/or joint aches","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alendronic_rare","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alendronic-acid","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Alendronic acid, rare but serious side effects","quote":"Prolonged gum pain and swelling Any numbness/pain in the jaw, loosening of tooth, delayed healing of ulcer in the mouth … Any bone pain/persistent dull aching in hips, groin or thigh without any injury or trauma","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hh_alendronic_food","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/alendronic-acid","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Alendronic acid, food and drug interactions","quote":"Avoid any food or products that are high in calcium, iron or magnesium for at least 30 minutes (but preferably 2 hours) after taking the medication … Dairy products … Soya products … antacids, calcium, iron or magnesium supplements, multivitamins.","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_alen_int","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/alendronic-acid/taking-alendronic-acid-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — Alendronic acid, taking it with other medicines and herbal supplements (reviewed 7 May 2025)","quote":"antacids to relieve indigestion or heartburn laxatives containing magnesium … steroids such as prednisolone or dexamethasone – these may increase the risk of damage to your jawbone … non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:10.48466+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}