Q: What is Fosamax?
A: Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is a prescription medicine used to prevent or treat osteoporosis in women after menopause, and to treat osteoporosis in men. Fosamax is also used to treat Paget's disease. Fosamax prevents bone breakdown and increases bone density (thickness) to make bones stronger and less likely to break. Fosamax is a bisphosphonate drug made by Merck and Company, Inc., and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.

Q: What is Osteoporosis?
A: Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily. Osteoporosis may have natural causes or may be found in men and women who have taken corticosteroids.

Q: What is Paget's disease?
A: Paget's disease is a medical condition in which the body replaces healthy bones with weak bones.

Q: Are there any special instructions for taking Fosamax?
A: Fosamax should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass (6 to 8 oz.) of plain water at least 30 minutes before taking any other food, beverage, or medicine. You should not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Fosamax.

Q: Has there been any recent news about Fosamax?
A: There have been recent reports linking Fosamax to a serious side effect called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) or 'jaw death.' ONJ is a medical condition in which the jawbone partially crumbles and dies. ONJ may cause severe pain, loose teeth, exposed bone, loss of function, and disfigurement. Fosamax maker Merck and Company, Inc., has stated that ONJ is rare, and that in controlled clinical trials involving more than 17,000 patients, there were no reports of ONJ. Most researchers and doctors interviewed in recent news reports appear to believe that the benefits of bisphosphonate drugs greatly outweigh the risks, and say that they will continue prescribing these medicines to their patients.