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My mother's doctor wants her to start Fosamax but I've heard bad things about it. She's 86 and already on a ton of meds. The only reason she was told to start it was because she had a routine bone density test. She has not fallen or had any fractures. My Mom will do whatever the doctor says, so because he recommended it, she wants to take it. I told her my reservations about adding yet another medicine but have not discussed my concerns with the doctor yet.

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Happy, everyone I know that has taken it, including myself, experienced bad stomach aches from it. It is not a good medicine.

If she needs treatment for her bones ask about the quarterly shots.
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Moms dr switched her to the Prolia shot.. its better for us as she takes a lot of pills, and the instructions for Fosamax were hard to follow with her mild confusion..
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My mom was prescribed it about 10 years ago when she was 80 (and very active and lucid). She had been an RN her whole life so knew how to stick to the script instrux. But it upset her stomach too much so she decided to stop taking it. My mom has a very healthy (Mediterranean) diet and is still physically active. She tripped once outside over her dog's leash and came down on the stone path and low retaining wall and yet did not break any bones. She is also lactose intolerant (her whole life) and from an Italian-immigrant home where they literally never drank milk. My point is I'm just not sure of the overall benefit of giving it to someone your mom's age unless you think she'll live many more years (my mom is now 90 and has 4 siblings older than her still functioning, her sister is turning 101 this spring living semi-independently). Is it worth the stomach upset, the complicated directions, the intermix with her other meds? I wish there were a definitive answer for you, but I think all forum-provided input should help you reach as good a conclusion as possible.
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Happyplace Jan 2020
Thank you. She takes a bunch of calcium and vitamin D but I'm inclined to think that at 86 if she has a bad fall, something is going to break regardless. She's on a walker but has pretty good safety awareness. My opinion is that the side effects aren't worth it but I'm willing to have an open mind.
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I checked Fosomax on the internet, and there are many possible side effects. A site that came up second on Google is from lawyers spruiking for damages claims. The instructions for use are complicated – would they work for your mother? Take “after getting up for the day and before taking your first food, beverage, or other medication. Take it with a full glass (6-8 ounces or 180-240 milliliters) of plain water. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew or suck on it. Then stay fully upright (sitting, standing, or walking) for at least 30 minutes and do not lie down until after your first food of the day. Alendronate ((the active ingredient)) works only if taken on an empty stomach. Wait at least 30 minutes (preferably 1 to 2 hours) after taking the medication before you eat or drink anything other than plain water. Do not take this medication at bedtime or before rising for the day. It may not be absorbed and you may have side effects. Calcium or iron supplements, vitamins, antacids, coffee, tea, soda, mineral water, calcium-enriched juices, and food can decrease the absorption of alendronate. Do not take these for at least 30 minutes (preferably 1 to 2 hours) after taking alendronate”. The potential side effects are even more off-putting: (www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1273-7174/fosamax-oral/alendronate-oral/details). It says “your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.”

You could read all this to your mother and together make your own call on this.
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Happyplace Jan 2020
Thank you. Yes I noticed the complicated instructions. She wouldn't be able to do that all on her own, I'd have to be there. (yet ANOTHER thing to add to the list).
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