A 70-year-old woman with a bone density T-score of minus 3.0 is started on alendronate. Which counselling advice is correct?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Take it on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes
- Step 1: Alendronate can cause oesophagitis.
- Step 2: Taking it fasting with water and staying upright lowers oesophageal risk and improves absorption.
Answer
Take it on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes.
Why not the others: Take it only after exercise: Exercise timing is not the issue. Take it with breakfast and an antacid: Food and antacids reduce absorption. Take it with a glass of milk at bedtime and then lie flat to help absorption: Lying flat and calcium products impair absorption and risk oesophagitis.
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