alendronate sodium
Meaning of alendronate sodium: Alendronate sodium is a bisphosphonate drug that slows bone breakdown, used mainly to treat osteoporosis and certain other bone conditions.
Definition of alendronate sodium
Alendronate sodium is a medication belonging to the bisphosphonate class, used to treat conditions in which bone is broken down faster than the body can rebuild it. It works by slowing the activity of the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue, which helps preserve bone density and reduces the loss of calcium from bone over time.
The medication is used most often to treat osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weakened and more prone to fracture, and Paget disease of the bone, a condition marked by abnormal bone remodeling. It has also been studied for other uses, including hypercalcemia and bone pain related to cancer.
Alendronate sodium is taken by mouth, and because bisphosphonates can affect the esophagus and digestive tract, the medication is generally taken according to specific instructions regarding timing and body position. It is also known by the brand name Fosamax.
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Used in a sentence
Alendronate sodium was prescribed for the patient's osteoporosis identified on bone density testing.
Good to know
Alendronate sodium slows bone breakdown but does not directly build new bone, distinguishing its mechanism from medications that stimulate new bone formation.