Consumer Information for: MYLAN-ALENDRONATE

MYLAN-ALENDRONATE - 10 mg

How is normal bone maintained?
Bone undergoes a normal process of rebuilding that occurs continuously throughout your skeleton. First, old bone is removed (resorbed), then new bone is laid down (formed). This balanced process of resorbing and forming bone keeps your skeleton healthy and strong.

What is osteoporosis and why should it be treated?
Osteoporosis is a thinning and weakening of the bones. It is common in women after menopause and may also occur in men.

Osteoporosis often occurs in women several years after the menopause, which occurs when the ovaries stop producing the female hormone, estrogen, or are removed (which may occur, for example, at the time of a hysterectomy). The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can also occur in men due to several causes, including aging and/or a low level of the male hormone, testosterone. In all instances, bone is removed faster than it is formed, so bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. Therefore, maintaining bone mass and preventing further bone loss are important to keep your skeleton healthy. Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms. If left untreated, however, it can result in fractures (broken bones). 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).

How can osteoporosis be treated?
Your physician prescribed MYLAN-ALENDRONATE to treat your osteoporosis. MYLAN-ALENDRONATE actually helps to rebuild bone you may have lost and makes bone less likely to fracture. Thus, MYLAN-ALENDRONATE reverses the progression of osteoporosis.

In addition, your physician may recommend one or more of the following lifestyle changes:

Stop smoking. Smoking appears to increase the rate at which you lose bone and, therefore, may increase your risk of fracture.

Exercise. Like muscles, bones need exercise to stay strong and healthy. Consult your physician before you begin any exercise program.

Eat a balanced diet. Your physician can advise you whether to modify your diet or to take any dietary supplements.

MYLAN-ALENDRONATE - 70 mg

How is normal bone maintained?
Bone undergoes a normal process of rebuilding that occurs continuously throughout your skeleton. First, old bone is removed (resorbed), then new bone is laid down (formed). This balanced process of resorbing and forming bone keeps your skeleton healthy and strong.

What is osteoporosis and why should it be treated or prevented?
Osteoporosis is a thinning and weakening of the bones. It is common in women after menopause and may also occur in men.

Osteoporosis often occurs in women several years after the menopause, which occurs when the ovaries stop producing the female hormone, estrogen, or are removed (which may occur, for example, at the time of a hysterectomy). The earlier a woman reaches the menopause, the greater the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can also occur in men due to several causes, including aging and/or a low level of the male hormone, testosterone. In all instances, bone is removed faster than it is formed, so bone loss occurs and bones become weaker. Therefore, maintaining bone mass and preventing further bone loss are important to keep your skeleton healthy. Early on, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms. If left untreated, however, it can result in fractures (broken bones). 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).

How can osteoporosis be treated?
Your physician has prescribed MYLAN-ALENDRONATE to treat your osteoporosis. MYLAN-ALENDRONATE not only prevents the loss of bone but actually helps to rebuild bone you may have lost and makes bone less likely to fracture. Thus, MYLAN-ALENDRONATE reverses the progression of osteoporosis.

In addition, your physician may recommend one or more of the following lifestyle changes:

Stop smoking. Smoking appears to increase the rate at which you lose bone and, therefore, may increase your risk of fracture.

Exercise. Like muscles, bones need exercise to stay strong and healthy. Consult your physician before you begin any exercise program.

Eat a balanced diet. Your physician can advise you whether to modify your diet or to take any dietary supplements.