I recently fractured a hip and have been prescribed Alendronate or Fosamax Plus for osteoporosis.

My local pharmacy in Pattaya(Fascino) only carries Fosamax Plus, an import from Spain that is expensive(1300 baht for 4 pills)

Is there a Thai generic that is cheaper?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Maxlen brand is made locally. The distributer is Zuellig

Tel: (+66) 2656 9800

Email: [email protected]

 

Ask for the brand specifically at Facsino and if still "no have" ask if they will order it for you, tell them you will be buying it long term and maybe offer to buy say 6 month worth. They get deliveries from Zuellig all the time, not hard for them to order this. You may need to ask to speak to Manager though as counter staff may not want to be bothered.

 

 

Might also be worth pricing  Bonmax which is made by Apotex, which is a Canadian company specializing in generics. Distributor is Berlin Pharma

Tel: (+66) 2225 4261 -3

Email: [email protected]

 

I trust doctor told you about the important precautions when taking this drug to avoid esophageal corrosion but in case not:

• Should be taken on an empty stomach.
• Take with a large full  glass of plain water at least 30 min before eating anything
• Remain in sitting/upright position for at least 30 min.
• Swallow whole, do not chew/crush.

Sheryl, do they still have the precaution about not taking it for more than five years?  

 

My GP in the U.S. was very keen on his patients have bone density testing done just as they went into menopause to get a "baseline", saying that often most bone loss occurred in the early years of menopause, but often wasn't diagnosed until many years later.  Sure enough, about four years after menopause, annual bone density tests showed an alarming decline and I was prescribed Fosamax.  

 

I came to Thailand about three years into taking it and learned here that it shouldn't be taken for more than five years.  Fortunately, it seems to have done its job and my bone density isn't declining at an alarming rate like it was in the first years after menopause.

 

I've discovered, too, that many men may not realize that they can suffer bone density loss, esp if they're thin and trying to "eat local" and cheaply where they aren't consuming enough calcium.  They don't discover this until they fall and fracture their hip in their 70s.

15 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Sheryl, do they still have the precaution about not taking it for more than five years?  

 

My GP in the U.S. was very keen on his patients have bone density testing done just as they went into menopause to get a "baseline", saying that often most bone loss occurred in the early years of menopause, but often wasn't diagnosed until many years later.  Sure enough, about four years after menopause, annual bone density tests showed an alarming decline and I was prescribed Fosamax.  

 

I came to Thailand about three years into taking it and learned here that it shouldn't be taken for more than five years.  Fortunately, it seems to have done its job and my bone density isn't declining at an alarming rate like it was in the first years after menopause.

 

I've discovered, too, that many men may not realize that they can suffer bone density loss, esp if they're thin and trying to "eat local" and cheaply where they aren't consuming enough calcium.  They don't discover this until they fall and fracture their hip in their 70s.

 

the US FDA guidance on this is:

 

" Consider periodic reevaluation of the need for continued bisphosphonate therapy, particularly in patients who have been treated for over 5 years"

 

and the official labelling of the drugs says "The optimal treatment duration has not been determined; reevaluate treatment on a periodic basis. For those patients at low risk for fracture, consider stopping alendronate after 3 to 5 years. After discontinuation of therapy, continue to periodically reassess fracture risk."

 

So not a hard and fast rule. And needs to be balanced against fracture risk especially in case like OP where there is a history of fracture.

 

Also I forgot to mention but "Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D during treatment are essential. "

Thank you for the usual prompt comprehensive response Sheryl.

I'm off to Fascino with this information next week.