Pills get stuck in my throat so I cannot get fosamax down. Is boniva or actonel smaller? What happens if I cut them or mix with water? Getting them stuck in my throat is a bigger problem. I know there is a liquid version of fosamax, but it is very expensive and there is no generic version of it.
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Q: What happens if I crush fosamax or mix with water to facilitate taking. Pills get stuck in my throat
Answers (1)
11/24/09 6:06pm
Hi Lynne, welcome to the community and I'm sorry you are having trouble with the medication. You can't crush, break or dissolve Fosamax. Talk to the pharmacist to verify this or read the this link from rxlist that explains this. My understanding is the drug won't work properly if it isn't swallow whole. You also need to take it with 8 ounces of water to make sure it goes directly to you stomach and doesn't dissolve in the throat because it can cause esophageal irritation.
If the liquid form is too expensive, have you tried to get an "drug exception" going on this with your insurance co. When certain drugs aren't covered or the copay is too high you have the right to start an appeal for coverage or a drug exception appeal. Look through you insurance booklet for these 2 things and see what the steps are for going through this. If you don't have insurance you may qualify for Mercks patient assistance program found here.
Good luck and please check with the pharamcist to verify what I said.
3/ 2/11 6:08pm
Hi Ellen, have you discussed this with your doctor? Boniva comes in a quarterly injectable, if you'd be interested in that. There are other meds that come in injections, but you really need to talk to your physician to see if this is something you might be able to take.
I don't know of any other osteo med that comes in a liquid you can swallow. The draw back with these injectables like Boniva and Reclast is the amount given for the dose and how long it may stay in your system, possibly extending the length of the side effects. The FDA is now recommending a drug holiday if you've taken bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva or Reclast) for 5 years. Here's an article from MedScape that will explain bisphosphonate holidays to you from the North American Menopause Society. You need to register to read this link, but it's free and easy to do.
Good luck finding something you can take.
3/ 2/11 9:30pm
Hi Ellen, there's one more thought I had, but I'm not sure it would help. Even though this med has been discontinued, there may still be some pharmacies that have some still on the shelf. Of course you'd have to call around to see if this is the case, and if you do find some surplus, it will only buy you some time until you and your Dr. can decide what your next step may be.
If you find something to take the place of oral Fosamax, please let us know, if you don't mind!
Good luck again...
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By Lynne— Last Modified: 03/02/11, First Published: 11/23/09
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I have taken Fosamax oral solution for several years because I can't swallow pills without crushing them and taking with food. But now Merck has discontinued Fosamax oral solution. My pharmacist told me this today, and Merck confirmed it. Now what do I do?
Ellen