Osteoporosis

It is estimated that osteoporosis causes approximately 1.5 million fractures (broken bones) every year in the U.S. Not only can these fractures be painful and disfiguring, they may reduce a person's ability to lead an active life. Osteoporosis affects every bone in the body, but the most common places where fractures occur are the back, hips, and wrists.

Because osteoporosis thins bones, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fractures (broken bones), it is essential that you talk to your healthcare provider about osteoporosis treatment options upon diagnosis. The disease is particularly serious because you don't see or feel your bones thinning, putting you at increased risk of experiencing a fracture from ordinary activities like bending and lifting or from a more traumatic event like falling. Hip fractures can be especially traumatic and osteoporosis is responsible for approximately 300,000 of these fractures annually.

The new treatment for osteoporosis

Boniva is one of the newest medications to treat thinning of the bones. It is a once a day pill that will actually help lower the chances of having a fracture. Once-monthly BONIVA is a bisphosphonate treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BONIVA is clinically proven to maintain—and actually increase—bone density. It is the only osteoporosis medicine to do this with just one tablet a month.

You get continuous bone protection throughout the month with just one BONIVA Tablet, because BONIVA binds with and stays in bones. BONIVA is designed to last the entire month.

For more information on this drug visit www.boniva.com it is a pill that requires a prescription.

Fosamax Osteoporosis Treatment

Why Have I Been Prescribed FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D?

Your doctor has prescribed FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D because you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis (thinning bones). And, although diet , exercise , and vitamins are important in maintaining your overall bone health, these alone may not be enough.

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because there are no symptoms, so you can't feel your bones become weak. Sometimes, women will not know they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks. It's important to know that your bones begin to weaken as you age, especially after menopause.

FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D Reverse Bone Loss

FOSAMAX is a bisphosphonate that works by:

• Reducing the activity of the cells that cause bone loss
• Decreasing the faster rate of bone loss that occurs after menopause or with use of corticosteroid medications
• Increasing the amount of bone in most patients

These effects are seen as soon as 3 months after therapy with FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D has begun.

Importance of Continuing Your Treatment

Please remember, for your osteoporosis treatment to be effective, you must stick to the treatment regimen prescribed by your doctor.

Talk to your doctor about FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D

Learn why it's important to continue taking FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D.

Selected Cautionary Information About FOSAMAX and FOSAMAX PLUS D
You should not use FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D if you have certain disorders of the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth with the stomach), are not able to stand or sit upright for 30 minutes, have severe kidney disease, low blood calcium, or are allergic to FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D. Before use, talk to your doctor if you have or have had stomach or digestive problems or problems with swallowing. You should tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. In addition, for FOSAMAX PLUS D, you should talk to your doctor if you have conditions that may cause an overproduction of vitamin D (eg, sarcoidosis, leukemia, lymphoma).

Stop taking FOSAMAX or FOSAMAX PLUS D and call your doctor right away if you develop new or worsening heartburn, difficult or painful swallowing, or chest pain because these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems, which can include irritation, inflammation, or ulceration of the esophagus. (See the Patient Product Information for more details.) If you develop severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain at any time, contact your doctor. Digestive side effects in studies were generally mild and included stomach pain, indigestion/heartburn, or nausea.