How and when to take alendronic acid

Always follow the instructions that come with the alendronic acid, or the advice from your doctor.

The usual dose of alendronic acid for adults is 70mg taken once a week.

You'll usually take it as a standard tablet, a liquid that you drink or a tablet that dissolves in water (soluble).

Alendronic acid is also available as a 10mg tablet you take once a day.

How to take it

Whether you take alendronic acid daily or weekly, you need to take it at the same time of day. If you take it weekly, choose a day that suits your routine.

The best time of day to take your medicine is usually 30 minutes before you have breakfast. Take it on an empty stomach, before you have anything to eat or drink (other than plain tap water) and before you take any other medicines that you swallow.

Alendronic acid works best on an empty stomach because your body can absorb it properly.

Do not take alendronic acid with still or sparkling mineral water, tea, coffee, juice or milk. These drinks can affect the way the medicine works by reducing how much is absorbed. Take your medicine with tap water.

If it's not safe to drink your tap water for any reason, you can boil it and let it cool before you drink it.

It's also important to take alendronic acid while you're sitting up or standing. Try to stay upright for 30 minutes after taking your medicine – you can be sitting, standing or walking. Do not take alendronic acid at bedtime.