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The name of your medicine is APO-Alendronate Plus D3 tablets. It contains the active
ingredient alendronate sodium and colecalciferol (vitamin D3).
The alendronate in this medicine belongs to a group of non-hormonal medicines called
bisphosphonates.
It is used to:
treat osteoporosis
provide additional vitamin D
Osteoporosis is a disease which causes bones to become more porous, gradually making
them weaker, more brittle and likely to break. Osteoporosis is caused by changes in
the way bone is normally maintained.
Until our late 20s, while bones are still developing, we gain bone by building more
than we lose. From then until about age 35 the process is usually in balance, so that
the amount of bone lost is about equal to the amount that is replaced. After about
age 35 this balance is disturbed, with bone loss occurring at a slightly faster rate
than it can be replaced. In women, after menopause, hormonal changes cause bone loss
at an even faster rate. When bone loss is excessive, bones can become thinner and
weaker, and therefore are more likely to break.
Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms. However, if left untreated it can
result in broken bones, also called fractures. Although fractures usually cause pain,
fractures of the bones of the spine may go unnoticed until they cause height loss.
Fractures may occur during normal, everyday activity, such as lifting, or from minor
injury that would not ordinarily fracture normal bone. Fractures usually occur at
the hip, spine, or wrist and can lead not only to pain, but also to considerable deformity
and disability, such as stooped posture from curvature of the spine, and loss of mobility.
The alendronate in this medicine works by slowing down the process of old bone being
removed, which allows the bone-forming cells time to rebuild normal bone. Alendronate
not only helps prevent the loss of bone but helps to rebuild bone and make bone less
likely to fracture.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient required for calcium absorption and healthy bones.
Too little vitamin D leads to inadequate calcium absorption and low phosphate-minerals
that make bones strong. Even if you are eating a diet rich in calcium or taking a
calcium supplement, your body cannot absorb calcium properly unless you have enough
vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels may lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Severe vitamin
D deficiency may cause muscle weakness which can lead to falls and a higher risk of
fracture.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
This medicine should not be used in children.
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