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Osteoporosis Facts
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease of bone in which bones become weaker and more porous over time. When bones are weaker, they break more easily. The process of bone weakening can happen very slowly, starting from a person’s early 30s, but the process speeds up quickly during and after menopause.
How do I know if I have it?
You cannot feel your bones becoming porous or losing strength. That’s why osteoporosis is called a “silent disease.” But if you are over 50 and have experienced a broken bone (even if you had an accident), or if you are nearing menopause and your mother had osteoporosis, you should visit your doctor and ask about a bone density test.
What is a bone density test?
As you will read in this section of the Web site, a bone density test measures your bone mineral density, or BMD, which is the only objective way to diagnose osteoporosis. Bone density tests are also used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. The test itself is completely painless. A machine simply goes over your body and measures the thickness of your bones.
How will osteoporosis change my life?
Having osteoporosis might make you want to take better care of your bones in order to avoid a fracture. Exercising and eating well are things you can control that will strengthen your bones. Taking your osteoporosis medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to is the most important thing you can do. If you are having trouble with your medicine for any reason, make sure you tell your doctor about it.
Do men get osteoporosis?
Unfortunately, men, too, are susceptible to osteoporosis, although generally at an older age than women. It is estimated that 20% of people with osteoporosis are men.
Medication Guide
BINOSTO® (alendronate sodium) EffervescentTablets
BINOSTO is a prescription medicine used to:
- Treat thinning of your bones (osteoporosis) in women after menopause. BINOSTO helps reduce the chance of having a hip or spinal fracture (break).
- Increase bone mass in men who have osteoporosis.
It is not known how long BINOSTO works for the treatment of osteoporosis. You should see your doctor regularly to determine if BINOSTO is still right for you.
BINOSTO is not for use in children.
Do not take BINOSTO if you:
- Have certain problems with your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach
- Cannot stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
- Have trouble swallowing liquids
- Have low levels of calcium in your blood
- Are allergic to BINOSTO or any of its ingredients.
BINOSTO Effervescent Tablet can cause serious side effects, including:
- Esophagus problems
- Low calcium levels in your blood (hypocalcemia)
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain
- Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis)
- Unusual thigh bone fractures
- Esophagus problems.
Some people who take BINOSTO may develop problems in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach). These problems include irritation, inflammation, or ulcers of the esophagus which may sometimes bleed.
- It is important that you take BINOSTO exactly as prescribed to help lower your chance of getting esophagus problems. (See the section “How should I take BINOSTO?” in the Medication Guide)
- Stop taking BINOSTO and call your doctor right away if you get chest pain, new or worsening heartburn, or have trouble or pain when you swallow.
- Low calcium levels in your blood (hypocalcemia).
BINOSTO may lower the calcium levels in your blood. If you have low blood calcium, it must be treated before you take BINOSTO. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood calcium such as:
- Spasms, twitches, or cramps in your muscles
- Numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain.
Some people who take BINOSTO develop severe bone, joint, or muscle pain. - Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis).
Severe jaw bone problems may happen when you take BINOSTO. Your doctor should examine your mouth or tell you to see your dentist before you start BINOSTO. It is important for you to practice good mouth care during treatment with BINOSTO. - Unusual thigh bone fractures.
Some people have developed unusual fractures in their thigh bone. Symptoms of a fracture may include new or unusual pain in your hip, groin, or thigh.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- calcium
- antacids
- aspirin
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) medicines
The most common side effects of BINOSTO are:
- Stomach area (abdominal) pain
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Pain in your bones, joints, or muscles
- Nausea
You may get allergic reactions, such as hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the side effects with BINOSTO. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, go to BINOSTO.com, or call 1-855-778-0177.
This material is intended to provide basic information and is not medical advice. All medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment should be obtained from your physician.
The product information provided in this site is intended for residents of the United States.
© 2018 Mission Pharmacal Company. All rights reserved.
Mission Pharmacal Company | San Antonio, TX 78230-1355 | Phone: 210.696.8400
BINOSTO is a prescription medicine used to:
Treat thinning of your bones (osteoporosis) in women after menopause. BINOSTO helps reduce the chance of having a hip or spinal fracture (break).
Increase bone mass in men who have osteoporosis.
It is not known how long BINOSTO works for the treatment of osteoporosis. You should see your doctor regularly to determine if BINOSTO is still right for you.
BINOSTO is not for use in children.
Do not take BINOSTO if you:
Have certain problems with your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach
Cannot stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
Have trouble swallowing liquids
Have low levels of calcium in your blood
Are allergic to BINOSTO or any of its ingredients.
BINOSTO Effervescent Tablet can cause serious side effects, including:
Esophagus problems
Low calcium levels in your blood (hypocalcemia)
Bone, joint, or muscle pain
Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis)
Unusual thigh bone fractures
Esophagus problems.
Some people who take BINOSTO may develop problems in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach). These problems include irritation, inflammation, or ulcers of the esophagus which may sometimes bleed.
It is important that you take BINOSTO exactly as prescribed to help lower your chance of getting esophagus problems. (See the section “How should I take BINOSTO?” in the Medication Guide)
Stop taking BINOSTO and call your doctor right away if you get chest pain, new or worsening heartburn, or have trouble or pain when you swallow.
Low calcium levels in your blood (hypocalcemia).
BINOSTO may lower the calcium levels in your blood. If you have low blood calcium, it must be treated before you take BINOSTO. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low blood calcium such as:
Spasms, twitches, or cramps in your muscles
Numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth
Bone, joint, or muscle pain.
Some people who take BINOSTO develop severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.
Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis).
Severe jaw bone problems may happen when you take BINOSTO. Your doctor should examine your mouth or tell you to see your dentist before you start BINOSTO. It is important for you to practice good mouth care during treatment with BINOSTO.
Unusual thigh bone fractures.
Some people have developed unusual fractures in their thigh bone. Symptoms of a fracture may include new or unusual pain in your hip, groin, or thigh.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your doctor if you take:
calcium
antacids
aspirin
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) medicines
The most common side effects of BINOSTO are:
Stomach area (abdominal) pain
Heartburn
Constipation
Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Pain in your bones, joints, or muscles
Nausea
You may get allergic reactions, such as hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the side effects with BINOSTO. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, go to BINOSTO.com, or call 1-855-778-0177.