Didronel vs. Fosamax

[Guest guest]

Hello AP list members,

Seems I got the osteoporosis from the MTX. And now I have to take

Fosamax for THAT problem.

I had a heck of a time trying to get used to taking the Fosamax but

believe

that it was mostly because of the MTX. After going on the AP, no more

problems taking the Fosamax. I now take Fosamax mornings after a

night time fast and 2 hrs before eating, to increase the bioavilability.

I do not have scanning abilities but here are exerpts from an article:

----------------------------------------------------

" The biphosphonate etidonate (Didronel) has been studied most

extensively for osteoporosis and is effective at preserving bone mass

reducing vertebral fractures. Alendronate ( Fosamax) is 100-to 1000 fold

more potent inhibitor of bone resorption than etidonate. More

significantly, alendronate is a highly selective inhibitor of resorption

and is not associated

with mineralization and detrimental effects on bone quality that have

been associated with continuous, daily administration of etidonate.

snip.>

Clinical Trials

snip>.

referring to subjects taking either 5 mg or 10 mg of Fosamax

" Both groups experienced a continual improvement in bone mass over the

24 month period but to a lesser rate during the second year. "

snip>

Upper gastrointestinal intolerance and rash were the only adverse effects

attributed to alendronate.

snip>

Decreased bone resorption and increased bone mass density were

seen in the alendronate-treated group.

snip>

Gains in bone mass density were not lost in the patients treated with

alendronate the first year and then switched to placebo for the second

year.

snip>

The 10mg group improved the most after 1 yr. and this group experienced

the least side effects.

snip>

Conclusion

Alendronate shifts the imbalance of bone resorption versus formation to

favor bone formation in osteoporosis. Alendronate was proven in clinical

trials to be an effective treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and

Paget's disease. In addition, the medication is safe and relatively free

of

adverse effects when taken as directed. "

Source-Clinical Drug Evaluation:Alendronate by Capt. M. and

Julio R. , PharmD,editor FEDERAL PRACTITIONER,Nov.1996, pg 88-92

Glenda's note-from what I understand, Fosamax rebuilds a superior quality

of bone to etidronate. Bone density is improved by etidronate, but it is

brittle.

One has to take alendronate (Fosamax) on an empty stomach at least 30

minutes and preferably 2 hrs before eating. One drinks a BIG glass of

water

with it and does NOT lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking. One

does

take calcium supplements when taking Fosamax.

Wishing you continued healing,

Glenda

RA 2 3/4 yrs, AP 2 1/2 mo. Minocin100 mg 2Xday, Ultram 50 mg 2X day

Hypothyroid 7 yrs, Levothyroxine 125 mg/day

Osteoporosis 8 mo, Fosamax 10 mg/day

-------------

wrote:

Snip>

>My rheumatologist is testing only Didronel; he said nothing about

Fosamax.

>It's interesting though, my rheumatologist says Didronel is easier on

the

>esophagus; my GP says Fosamax is easier on your stomach. I wish I

>could get

>the two of them together to battle out which one truly is better for us.

>

>I may have to take one of these in the near future for osteopenia. Has

>Fosamax been proven to be more effective for osteoporosis? If so do you

>have references that I can take to my doctor? Why is Didronel hard to

take?

>

Carol wrote:

Snip>

But I can take Didrionel without any problem. Also, I think it is less

of a

pain to take Didrionel than Fosomax bec you take it for only two weeks,

every

three months. Although you cannot eat for two hours before taking

Didrionel

and I think two hours after, I don't find that to be a problem as I take

it

late at night (over two hours since my evening snack) and then fall

asleep

for the night so I don't have to worry about the two hours before eating.

You are not suppose to take calcium supplements while on didrionel for

two

week period but that is okay too for me to follow.

Carol E from NY

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