What is FOSAVANCE?
FOSAVANCE is a tablet containing the two active substances, alendronic acid and colecalciferol known as vitamin D 3.
What is alendronate?
Alendronate belongs to a group of non-hormonal medicines called bisphosphonates. Alendronate prevents the loss of bone that occurs in women after they have been through the menopause, and helps to rebuild bone. It reduces the risk of spine and hip fractures.
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, required for calcium absorption and healthy bones. The body can only absorb calcium properly from our food if it has enough vitamin D. Very few foods contain vitamin D. The main source is through exposure to summer sunlight, which makes vitamin D in our skin. As we get older our skin makes less vitamin D. Too little vitamin D may lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Severe vitamin D deficiency may cause muscle weakness which can lead to falls and a greater risk of fractures.
What is FOSAVANCE used for?
Your doctor has prescribed FOSAVANCE to treat your osteoporosis and because you are at risk of vitamin D insufficiency. FOSAVANCE reduces the risk of spine and hip fractures in women after menopause.
FOSAVANCEis a once weekly treatment.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a thinning and weakening of the bones. It is common in women after the menopause. At the menopause, the ovaries stop producing the female hormone, oestrogen, which helps to keep a woman?s skeleton healthy. As a result, bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of osteoporosis.
Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms. If left untreated, however, it can result in broken bones. Although these usually hurt, breaks in the bones of the spine may go unnoticed until they cause height loss. Broken bones can happen during normal, everyday activity, such as lifting, or from minor injury that would not generally break normal bone. Broken bones usually occur at the hip, spine, or wrist and can lead not only to pain but also to considerable problems like stooped posture (?dowager?s hump?) and loss of mobility.
How can osteoporosis be treated?
Osteoporosis can be treated and it is never too late to begin treatment. FOSAVANCE not only prevents the loss of bone but actually helps to rebuild bone you may have lost and reduces the risk of bones breaking in the spine and hip.
As well as your treatment with FOSAVANCE, your doctor may suggest you make changes to your lifestyle to help your condition, such as:
Stopping smoking Smoking appears to increase the rate at which you lose bone and, therefore, may increase your risk of broken bones.
Exercise Like muscles, bones need exercise to stay strong and healthy. Consult your doctor before you begin any exercise programme.
Eating a balanced diet Your doctor can advise you about your diet or whether you should take any dietary supplements.
