Alendronate
Common brand names:
FosamaxAlendronate is a member of the bisphosphonate family of drugs used to treat/prevent osteoporosis. It is also used to treat some bone diseases and some cases of cancer that have spread to bones.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
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Negative Interactions
2-
Reduces Effectiveness
Alendronate
Iron
This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.
Taking risedronate at the same time as iron, zinc, or magnesium may reduce the amount of drug absorbed. Therefore, people taking risedronate who wish to supplement with these minerals should take them an hour before or two hours after the drug.
IronAlendronate- Sifton DW, ed. Physicians' Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 2504-6.
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Reduces Effectiveness
Alendronate
Zinc
This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.
Taking risedronate at the same time as iron, zinc, or magnesium may reduce the amount of drug absorbed. Therefore, people taking risedronate who wish to supplement with these minerals should take them an hour before or two hours after the drug.
ZincAlendronate- Sifton DW, ed. Physicians' Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 2504-6.
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Explanation Required
2-
Needs Explanation
Alendronate
Calcium
Calcium supplements may interfere with alendronate absorption. However, one researcher suggested that addition of large amounts of supplemental calcium to alendronate therapy in patients with bone metastases (with evidence of osteomalacia) related to prostate cancer might improve the clinical outcome. Moreover, both calcium and alendronate are commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis in the same people. To prevent potential interactions, alendronate should be taken two hours before or after calcium supplements.
CalciumAlendronate- Threlkeld DS, ed. Hormones, Bisphosphonates. InFacts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Jul 1998, 134r.
- Adami S. Bisphosphonates in prostate carcinoma. Cancer 1997;80:1674-9.
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Needs Explanation
Alendronate
Magnesium
Absorption of tiludronate, a drug related to alendronate, is reduced when taken with magnesium and/or aluminum-containing antacids. This interaction has not yet been reported with alendronate. Until more is known, alendronate should be taken two hours before or after magnesium and/or aluminum-containing antacids.
MagnesiumAlendronate- Threlkeld DS, ed. Hormones, Bisphosphonates. InFacts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Jul 1998, 134r.
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