Osteopenia & A Script For Alendronate - You're Not Alone!

Send us Fan Mail Summary: Your bones, like everything else in your body, are part of a dynamic system:  in this case calcium is stored or released, depending on the needs of your body and the amount of calcium consumed.  Bone mineral density, which measures calcium and other minerals, provides a picture of the strength of your bones.  Naturally – or maybe not so naturally – when there is a low bone mineral density (osteopenia or osteoporosis) there are drugs designed to affect this building and breakdown of bone.  This episode discusses alendronate – a common drug in the bisphosphonate class, designed to slow bone resorption (breakdown). Topics:·      Osteopenia Definition 01:15·      Osteoporosis Definition 01:50·      t-number 02:10·      Bone Remodeling 04:25·      Bone = Calcium reservoir and source 04:50·      -penia 06:40·      Before Meds 07:20·      Drug-Induced Osteopenia 08:00·      You’re Not Alone! 09:45·      Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts 11:00·      Bisphosphonate – Alendronate 11:50·      GI Concerns 14:20·      Duration of Treatment? 14:45·      Alendronate Onset of Action 15:20·      Evista 16:00·      Alendronate Possible Side Effects 18:25·      Jaw Necrosis (rare) 21:00·      Resources 23:00·      Falls Prevention 23:15·      Monitor You 24:30·      Pharmacist and Physician 24:50Questions and comments to  [email protected]