ALENDROS ® is a drug based on alendronic acid sodium salt
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Drugs affecting bone metabolism - Bisphosphonates
Indications ALENDROS ® - Alendronic Acid
ALENDROS ® is a drug that has long been used for the treatment of bone problems associated with osteoporosis.
This medicine has been shown to be effective in preventing vertebral fractures in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, male osteoporosis and glucorticoid-induced osteoporosis but is not useful in preventing hip fractures.
Mechanism of action ALENDROS ® - Alendronic acid
Alendronic acid, the active ingredient of ALENDROS ®, is a synthetic molecule belonging to the bisphosphonate family, which has long been used for the treatment of osteoporosis.
In fact, this active principle, once taken orally and absorbed in the intestine, is preferentially deposited on the hydroxyapatite crystals present in the resorption sites of the bone matrix.
Here alendronate can interact with the bone cells responsible for resorption, defined osteoclasts, inhibiting their activity by blocking both normal energy flow and protein synthesis.
The aforementioned action results in an appreciable increase in bone mineral density thus necessary for the prevention of vertebral fractures
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. THE ANTI-CANCER "ACTIVITY" OF BIPHOSPHONATES
Cancer. 2011 Aug 5. doi: 10.1002 / cncr.26395. [Epub ahead of print]
Exposure to bisphosphonates and risk of colorectal cancer: A population-based nested case-control study.
Singh H, Nugent Z, Demers A, Mahmud S, Bernstein C.
Very interesting study that demonstrates how bisphosphonates have a potential long-term preventive activity against colorectal cancer. It would therefore be important to set up statistically significant clinical trials capable of testing this activity.
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION
Primary Aten. 2011 Feb; 43: 95-9. Epub 2010 Jun 11.
Osteoporosis treatment with biphosphonates: Approaches to care reality.
Vicente Molinero A, Lou Arnal S, Medina Orgaz E, Muñoz Jacobo S, Antonio Ibáñez Estrella J.
Osteoporosis is a very frequent pathology, especially in menopausal women for which there is a possible pharmacological remedy. The correct use of bisphosphonates has in fact proved effective in reducing the rate of pathological fractures in affected patients. Correct medical information could represent a serious strategy to increase therapeutic success.
3. COMPARING THERAPEUTIC SCHEMES
Clin Drug Investig. 2004; 24: 333-41.
Weekly oral alendronic Acid in male osteoporosis.
Miller PD, Schnitzer T, Emkey R, Orwoll E, Rosen C, Ettinger M, Vandormael K, Daifotis A.
Work that demonstrates how the intake of alendronic acid once a week can represent an alternative therapeutic strategy to the administration of 10 mg once a day, in the treatment of male osteoporosis, reducing the inconveniences associated with the frequent ingestion of these tablets.
Method of use and dosage
ALENDROS ®
Alendronic Acid 10 - 70mg Tablets:
the dosage regimen for the treatment of osteoporosis is generally based on the intake of a 70 mg tablet of alendronic acid once a week.
In order to avoid the appearance of adverse reactions in the esophagus and at the same time to optimize the intestinal absorption of the drug, the patient should take the tablet on an empty stomach, with a glass of water, avoiding the intake of food or liquids in the next thirty minutes.
During the same period of time, the patient must remain in an upright position to avoid the deposition of the drug in the esophageal mucosa.
The administration of ALENDROS ® must be prescribed and supervised by your doctor.
Warnings ALENDROS ® - Alendronic Acid
The intake of ALENDROS ® should be preceded by a check of the patient's health conditions in order to minimize the risk of side effects.
Patients suffering from disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract, previous history of intestinal ulcers and bleeding, abdominal surgery, kidney disease and hypocalcemia should be subjected to periodic checks during treatment with alendronic acid given the ability of this active ingredient to worsen the related clinical pictures. .
The doctor must carefully inform the patient on the correct way to take the tablet, in order to avoid even serious side effects on the digestive tract, which often occur in these subjects.
ALENDROS ® contains lactose, therefore its intake is not indicated in patients with lactase enzyme deficiency, galactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
The use of ALENDROS ® is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to the absence of studies able to demonstrate the safety of alendronic acid on the health of the unborn child.
Interactions
The simultaneous intake of foods, liquids or active ingredients could reduce the therapeutic efficacy of ALENDROS ® by decreasing the intestinal absorption of the active ingredient and its bioavailability.
Furthermore, the use of NSAIDs, especially if prolonged over time, could significantly increase the risk of developing gastro-intestinal diseases such as peptic ulcer.
Contraindications ALENDROS ® - Alendronic Acid
ALENDROS ® contraindicated in patients suffering from esophageal diseases or related diseases capable of reducing emptying times, in patients who have difficulty in maintaining an upright position or an erect torso, in case of hypocalcemia and hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to one of its excipients.
Undesirable Effects - Side Effects
Different clinical trials and a particularly careful post-clinical monitoring have shown how the intake of alendronic acid can increase the frequency of headache, crampy abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, esophageal ulcer, dysphagia, back sternal pain, hypersensitivity skin reactions, pain skeletal muscle.
Rarely, photosensitivity reactions, edema of the lower limbs and peptic ulcers have been observed, while it remains important to assess the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients undergoing simultaneous dental treatment.
Note
ALENDROS ® can only be sold under strict medical prescription.
The information on ALENDROS ® - Alendronic Acid published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.
