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Fosamax (Alendronate) is a bisphosphonate drug used for osteoporosis and several other bone diseases.
As with all potent bisphosphonates, the systemic bioavailability after oral dosing is low, averaging only 0.6 - 0.7 % in women and in men under fasting conditions. Intake together with meals and beverages other than water further reduces the bioavailability. The absorbed drug rapidly partitions, with approximately 50% binding to the exposed bone surface; the remainder is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Unlike most drugs, the strong negative charge on the two phosphate moieties limits oral bioavailability, and in turn, the exposure to tissues other than bone is very low. After absorption in the bone, Fosamax (Alendronate) has an estimated terminal half-life of 10 years.
Fosamax (Alendronate) inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone-resorption. Like all bisphosphonates it is chemically related to inorganic pyrophosphate, the endogenous regulator of bone turnover. Whereas pyrophosphate and the first bisphosphonate, etidronate, are capable of inhibiting both osteoclastic bone resorption as well as the mineralization of the bone newly formed by osteoblasts, Fosamax (Alendronate) and the other potent N-containing bisphosphonates such as risedronate and ibandronate and zoledronate specifically inhibit bone resorption without any effect on mineralization at pharmacalogically achievable doses. Its inhibition of bone-resorption is dose-dependent and approximately 1,000 times stronger than the equimolar effect of etidronate. Under therapy normal bone tissue develops, and Fosamax (Alendronate) is deposited in the bone-matrix in pharmacologically inactive form. For optimal action enough calcium and vitamin D are needed in the body in order to promote normal bone development. Hypocalcemia should therefore be corrected before starting therapy.
What is the shelf life of the pills?
- The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
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