Email a Friend
Print ArticleOsteoporosis Health Center
This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Osteoporosis Drug, Vitamin D Now in 1 Pill
April 11, 2005 - The FDA has approved Fosamax Plus D, a once-weekly pill that contains both the drug Fosamax and the bone-building nutrient vitamin D.
The pill has 70 milligrams of Fosamax and a 2,800 IU dose of Vitamin D. That's seven day's worth of the recommended daily dose of Vitamin D for people aged 51 to 70.
Fosamax is taken both to treat osteoporosis as well as to prevent the disease. People with osteoporosis are more likely to fracture a bone, especially the hip, spine, and wrist. Hip and spine fractures can be very debilitating. Fosamax helps reduce the risk of hip and spine fractures.
Don't Just Rely on a Pill
But people shouldn't rely on medications alone to help build stronger bones. Even when taking this medication people need to get enough of the bone-building nutrients calcium and vitamin D. Calcium helps build stronger bones while vitamin D helps increase absorption of calcium from the intestines into the bloodstream. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, regular exercise helps prevent osteoporosis.
While there are other drugs available of the same type, such as Actonel, Fosamax is now the only one that also contains vitamin D. Fosamax Plus D and similar osteoporosis drugs should be used with caution in people with certain stomach or digestive problems.
Men Aren't Left Out
Osteoporosis is much more common in women than in men. They are four times more likely then men to develop the condition.
While bone loss can start even in a woman in her 30s, it speeds up significantly after menopause. It often progresses without any symptoms or pain. Many times, osteoporosis is not discovered until weakened bones cause painful fractures.
Osteoporosis affects an estimated 10 million Americans -- 8 million women and 2 million men -- according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. An additional 34 million have low bone mass, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
A bone density test can check for osteoporosis and help determine the risk of having a bone fracture. Use this tool to help determine
del.icio.us
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
Taking Vitamin D and Calcium Together
Osteoporosis specialist Dr. Ethel Siris on why it's so important to take calcium with Vitamin D.
