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Osteoporosis - preventing steroid-induced - Management
Bisphosphonates

Age from 16 years onwards
Alendronate tablets: 10mg each morning
Alendronic acid 10mg tablets
Take one tablet in the morning.
Supply 28 tablets.
Age: from 16 years onwards
NHS cost: £2.77
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: This medication can sometimes irritate the oesophagus (gullet), causing heartburn, or difficulty or pain on swallowing. If you develop such symptoms, stop taking the tablets and contact your doctor. To prevent irritation of the gullet, the tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast. After swallowing, stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes, and do not lie down until after eating breakfast. Do not take the tablets at bedtime or before rising from bed in the morning. Avoid food, particularly those containing calcium, e.g. milk, for 30 minutes after taking this medicine. Avoid antacids, calcium or mineral supplements and mineral water at this time as well.
Alendronate tablets: 70mg once a week
Alendronic acid 70mg tablets
Take one tablet once a WEEK (on the same day each week).
Supply 4 tablets.
Age: from 16 years onwards
NHS cost: £1.42
Licensed use: no - off-label indication
Patient information: This medication can sometimes irritate the oesophagus (gullet), causing heartburn, or difficulty or pain on swallowing. If you develop such symptoms, stop taking the tablets and contact your doctor. To prevent irritation of the gullet, the tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast. After swallowing, stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes, and do not lie down until after eating breakfast. Do not take the tablets at bedtime or before rising from bed in the morning. Avoid food, particularly those containing calcium, e.g. milk, for 30 minutes after taking this medicine. Avoid antacids, calcium or mineral supplements and mineral water at this time as well.
Risedronate tablets: 5mg each morning
Risedronate sodium 5mg tablets
Take one tablet each morning.
Supply 28 tablets.
Age: from 16 years onwards
NHS cost: £18.36
Licensed use: yes
Patient information: These tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast OR avoid food or drink for at least 2 hours before or after tablets if taken at any other time of day (especially food containing calcium e.g. milk, or calcium, iron or mineral supplements or antacids). After swallowing, stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes (do not lie down). Do not take at bedtime or before getting up.
Risedronate tablets: 35mg once a week
Risedronate sodium 35mg tablets
Take one tablet once a WEEK (on the same day each week).
Supply 4 tablets.
Age: from 16 years onwards
NHS cost: £19.51
Licensed use: no - off-label indication
Patient information: These tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast OR avoid food or drink for at least 2 hours before or after tablets if taken at any other time of day (especially food containing calcium e.g. milk, or calcium, iron or mineral supplements or antacids). After swallowing, stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes (do not lie down). Do not take at bedtime or before getting up.
Didronel PMO pack
Didronel PMO tablets
Take one tablet once a day. See package insert for full instructions.
Supply 1 pack.
Age: from 16 years onwards
NHS cost: £21.12
Licensed use: yes

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