Alendronic acid
(Fosamax®, Alendronic acid)
Available as tablets or capsules.
Tablets
Available as soluble tablets?
Yes - Effervescent tablets
Available as a liquid?
Yes
Available as something for placing under your tongue?
No
Available as something for placing on your gum?
No
Available as granules?
No
Available as a patch for putting on your skin?
No
Available as an injection?
No
Available as nasal/oral spray?
No
Safe or appropriate to crush
Licensed alternative formulations available and therefore crushing is not recommended
Additional information for Healthcare Professionals+
Generic name
Alendronic acid
Usual formulation brand names
Fosamax®
Is tablet/capsule specially coated?
No
Modified release
No
Film coated
No
Enteric coated
No
Sugar coated
No
Soluble tablet strength
70mg
Sublingual/buccal formulation strength
-
Granule strength
-
Transdermal patch strength
-
Injection strength
-
Nasal/oral spray Strength
-
Available as a licensed liquid or special?
Yes - oral solution
Are specials or imports available?
No
Liquid strengths
70mg/100mL
Is the liquid medicine sugar free?
Yes. Safe for people with diabetes.
Licensed for administration via enteral tube
No
Advice on administration via enteral tube
Current resources suggest that it is likely to be safe to administer via enteral feeding tubes, however this is an unlicensed use of the medication. Clinicians should refer to specialist resources for advice on how to administer this medication via enteral feeding tubes.
Notes
Contraindicated in oesophageal disease and should not be given to patients with delayed gastric emptying or those unable to sit/remain upright. Consider changing patients to zoledronic acid is appropriate.