Osteoporosis is a serious disease that causes degradation of bone tissue. Even minor injuries caused by this pathological process lead to disruption of the usual way of life and disability. For the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, "Ostalon" and "Ostalon Calcium-D" are used. These drugs are designed to slow down and stop negative tissue changes in postmenopausal women. But taking medications should be carried out in compliance with the instructions and adhere to the indications for the use of "Ostalon", since ignoring the recommendations leads to the opposite effect of therapy.
Form and composition
The drug is produced in tablet form. Tablets are white, each has M14 engraving. The active ingredient is alendronic acid (70 mg). In addition, the composition of the drug contains additional substances that contribute to the correct distribution of the active substance.substances, and also enhance its effect.
Main auxiliary components:
- colloidal silicon dioxide;
- magnesium stearate;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- croscarmellose sodium.
In the package of the drug "Ostalon Calcium-D" there are 2 types of tablets. One of them is completely identical to the drug "Ostalon" in appearance and composition, and the second contains calcium carbonate with cholecalciferol. The second type of tablets has an oblong shape and a brownish-yellow tint.
Pharmacological action of the drug
"Ostalon" belongs to the group of bisphosphonates. Their mechanism of action consists in the selective formation of a stable bond with the bone mineral. Also, its action is aimed at capturing the osteoclast, which provokes degradation changes in bone tissue. This means that the alendronic acid molecule is localized exactly in the place where the bone tissue has undergone deformation as a result of osteoporosis.
As a result, the active component of the drug blocks the synthesis of the farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase enzyme, which leads to osteoplast dysfunction. As a result, destructive processes slow down and then stop. In addition, alendronic acid serves as a "foundation" for the formation of new cells of damaged bone.
Also, "Ostalon" and "Ostalon Calcium-D" increase the survival rate of osteocyte in women duringpostmenopausal.
In a complex about the drug, we can say that it performs the following functions in the body:
- normalizes phosphorus-calcium metabolism;
- helps improve the composition and structure of bone tissue.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
The active ingredient, when it enters the body, is initially distributed in the soft tissues, and then penetrates into the bone tissue. When absorbed into the blood, its protein binding is about 78%.
Taking the medicine in the morning, 2 hours before meals, allows it to be absorbed at the level of 0.64%. And with a reduction in the waiting period, this indicator drops to the level of 0.39-0.46%, and the effectiveness of the active component does not fall.
Combining the drug with coffee drinks and citrus fruit juice reduces the bioavailability of the drug by 60%.
Studies have not confirmed the metabolism of drugs in the body. The absorbed active ingredient, which is not incorporated into the bone tissue, is excreted in the urine.
Six hours after the oral administration of the drug, its concentration in the blood decreases to 95%. The half-life is about ten years, and this once again proves that alendronic acid can be present in bone tissue for a long time.
In the presence of hypocalcemia, it is necessary to correct it before starting treatment with "Ostalon". The therapy should be combined with a diet rich in Ca2+ s alts.
"Ostalon Calcium-D" hassome differences in the process of absorption and subsequent excretion from the body due to the presence of colcalciferol (a bioavailable substance) and calcium carbonate. When taken orally, the active ingredient is absorbed by a third in the small intestine. This is due to the presence of vitamin D and depends on the level of acidity.
Colecalciferol is partly excreted via the kidneys (20%) and the remaining amount via the intestines.
Main indications
Reception of "Ostalon" and the drug "Ostalon Calcium-D" is prescribed in the following cases:
- For the treatment of bone tissue degradation disorders caused by long-term use of glucocorticosteroids.
- To reduce symptoms and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. After all, it is in this period that the risk of fractures of the spine and the head of the hip bone increases.
- For men in the complex therapy of osteoporosis. Reception in this case can reduce the fragility of the bones of the spine and pelvis.
Contraindications
The drug has a number of contraindications that must be taken into account. Otherwise, the medicine may provoke the development of side effects.
Main contraindications:
- Diseases of the esophagus, as well as other pathological processes that impede the passage of food.
- Lack or excess of vitamin D in the body.
- Hypocalcemia, hypercalciuria,hyperparathyroidism.
- Severe chronic renal failure (creatinine clearance less than 35 ml/min.).
- Individual intolerance to the components that make up the drug.
- Pregnancy, lactation.
- Children, adolescence.
- Osteoporosis provoked by immobilization.
- Tuberculosis and insufficient mineral metabolism, requiring adjustment of the condition.
- The inability of a person to stand upright for less than half an hour.
Carefully prescribed medicine to patients suffering from diseases of the upper part of the digestive system. This is due to the irritating effect of alendronic acid on the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus. Therefore, it is important that the patient remains in an upright position for 30 minutes after taking the Ostalon tablet, in order to reduce the likelihood of an irritating effect.
Medicine should not be taken during radiation and chemotherapy for cancer.
Glucocorticosteroids are contraindicated during therapy with this drug, as this increases the risk of osteonecrosis. For the same reason, surgery should be avoided when treating dental diseases.
An individually prescribed drug for the treatment of osteoporosis, if the cause of its development is not associated with postmenopause and age-related changes. It is strictly forbidden to take "Ostalon" without the recommendation of the attending physician!
Instructions for the use of "Ostalon"
The medicine is taken 1 tablet per week. Reception is recommended in the morning on an empty stomach for better absorption of the active ingredient into the blood. The tablet should be swallowed whole without breaking the integrity of the shell. Drink the medicine with plenty of water.
It is recommended to have breakfast after taking "Ostalon" no earlier than 1 hour later. It is important to maintain an upright position for half an hour after the medicine has been drunk.
Colecalciferon and calcium carbonate tablets, which are present in the preparation "Ostalon Calcium-D", should be taken 1 time per day. Moreover, they must be taken no earlier than 3 hours after alendronic acid.
For the elderly, dosage adjustment of "Ostalon" is not required, since age-related changes in the body are not capable of provoking the accumulation of the active component in the body.
According to the instructions for the use of "Ostalon", if you skip a dose, you should drink the medicine the next day in the morning. It is unacceptable to drink two tablets in one day! In the future, you should return to the previous therapy regimen - once a week, choosing a specific day.
The duration of admission in each individual case is set individually, depending on the characteristics of the patient and the nature of the degradation changes in the bone tissue.
Overdose and side effects
Failure to comply with the frequency and norm of taking the drug leads to an overdose, which is expressed by hypophosphatemia andhypocalcemia. Also, Ostalon therapy for a long period of time can lead to calcification of tissues and blood vessels.
Overdose is manifested by a violation of the function of the digestive system: heartburn, nausea, gastritis, diarrhea. At the same time, artificially inducing a gag reflex is prohibited, as this can provoke irritation of the esophageal mucosa.
There is no specific treatment for overdose. If alarming symptoms of intoxication appear, you should consult a doctor. And as a first aid, it is recommended to drink milk and take antacids.
Side effects that occur when taking "Ostalon" are as follows:
- very common - muscle and joint pain;
- frequent - headache, constipation, periodic pain in the abdomen, dyspepsia, flatulence, sour eructation, myalgia, dysphagia, ostalgia, swelling of the extremities, itching, alopecia;
- rare - nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, skin hyperemia, narrowing of the lumen of the esophagus, osteonecrosis of the jaw,
- exceptional case - general weakness, fever, gastric bleeding, scleritis, angioedema, urticaria, uveitis, osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal.
If characteristic signs of drug resistance by the body appear, the attending physician should be informed about this in order to replace "Ostalon" with an analogue of the remedy.
Interaction with other drugs
Clinical studies on the interaction of "Ostalon" with other drugs have not been conducted. But it wasthe condition of patients who combined the use of this drug with other drugs was analyzed. As a result, the following patterns were established:
- "Ranitidine" in combination with "Ostalon" enhances the availability of alendronic acid.
- Diuretics reduce the excretion of calcium, increase the likelihood of hypercalcemia. In complex therapy with this group of drugs, it is necessary to establish control over the level of calcium in the body.
- Systemic corticosteroids, antacids, calcium-containing drugs reduce the absorption of calcium. Against this background, an increase in the dosage of calcium and vitamin D is being considered.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exacerbate dysfunction of the digestive system.
- "Tetracycline" reduced its effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended to take this medication two hours before taking "Ostalon" or 4 hours after it.
When taking "Ostalon", its effect on the reaction rate was not revealed, therefore, throughout the course of therapy, a person can drive a car and do work that requires increased attention. However, rare cases of a slight decrease in visual acuity have been recorded. Therefore, until the unpleasant symptoms disappear, you should refrain from activities that require concentration.
Analogues of "Ostalon"
The main disadvantage of the drug is its increased cost. The price of "Ostalon" is about 500 rubles for a plate with four tablets. And soas a therapeutic effect can only be achieved as a result of long-term use, in some cases it is replaced by drugs with a similar effect:
- "Alendronat" (Russia). The active ingredient is alendronate sodium trihydrate. The drug is available in different packaging, which allows the patient to purchase the medicine in the amount indicated by the attending physician. In addition to osteoporosis, the drug is used to reduce bone density and Paget's disease in men.
- "Foroza" (Slovenia). The active substance is alendronate trihydrate. It is used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, as well as deforming osteitis. An absolute contraindication to taking is a violation of mineral metabolism in the body, as well as age up to 18 years, pregnancy and lactation.
- "Osterepar" (Poland). The active ingredient is alendronate sodium. Effective for the treatment of osteoporosis, the development of which provoked long-term use of glucocorticosteroids. It also helps to prevent degradative changes in bone tissue due to hormonal failure during menopause.
It is forbidden to replace "Ostalon" with analogues on your own, as this can cause a deterioration in general well-being. Only a doctor can compare acceptable medicines and choose an appropriate replacement.
Expert reviews
"Ostalon" has been used for therapeutic purposes for 10 years. Long-term practice has shown the high efficiency of this tool. According to reviews, "Ostalon" not only treats degradative changes in bone tissue, but also prevents their development.
Doctors insist that in order to achieve a sustainable result of therapy, the medicine should be taken for 1 year, adhering to the correct regimen.
Clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of the drug to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and treat osteoporosis in women and men in more than 10 thousand patients.
In addition, according to statistics, regular intake of alendronic acid reduces the likelihood of spinal fracture by 55%, hip - by 51%, forearm - by 48%.
"Ostalon" and analogues are effective drugs, the intake of which should be agreed with the doctor, since, despite their therapeutic properties, there is a high probability of developing side effects that adversely affect the patient's he alth. Therefore, only a specialist will be able to assess the degree of risk for a person, based on his individual characteristics.
