missed dose AA

[Jantayl]

on holiday I have forgotten to take my Sunday dose of Alendronic Acid. I have already taken my 7am pred and omniprazole - what should I do? Can I miss it for one week? Panicking!!

[123-go]

You can take it the next day, Jantay.

Easy to forget things when you're out of your normal routine. Have a lovely holiday.

sps.nhs.uk/articles/advisin...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Either take it tomorrow or just wait until next week - missing a week won;t mean you crumble in a heap!

No need to panic.

[Jantayl in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I may just wait till next Sunday. I just felt so foolish this morning as I have always taken it and then gone ‘walk about’ on the caravan site or done some ironing at home. Ihave been on Pred and taking AA for nearly 5 years - started Nov 2017 - so I was going to speak to my Rheum about stopping. I read a previous post about should not be taking for more than 5 years??! I have not had a bone density scan - maybe I should ask about this. The last time I asked my Rheum said it is wise for me to keep taking AA.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jantayl]

There used to be something in the patient information leaflet about not taking it for more than 5years -not sure if there still is..might be worth looking so you can quote it to Rheumy/GP.

I stopped AA at 4 year point, GP agreed I’d probably taken it long enough… continued with Calcium/VitD supplement.

Ask for DEXA scan, that will tell you if you need to continue with AA.

NHS advice -

nhs.uk/medicines/alendronic...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jantayl]

Some say 5 years, some say 3 before a "drug holiday" should be taken - the longer it is taken the more likely it is that cracks form in the bone which weaken it.

[Jantayl in reply to PMRpro]

Rheum said because I have glass of wine regularly I should keep taking AA.. Will speak to Rheum when I get home in October. Thanks for all your guidance - I find it really helpful and reassuring. I have just enjoyed a lovely 12 mile cycle visiting a french market. Now on 4.5mg pred and will try to reduce further when I get home - providing no more uTI’s! Another health issue.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jantayl]

I'm having another %$£ moment! I drink a small glass of wine with dinner almost every night. I don't take AA and I have been at above 10mg pred for at least 10 of the last 13 years. Last time we checked my bone density had not changed significantly and was STILL at a level that wasn't considered worthy of more than calcium and vit D.

Where are you?

[Jantayl in reply to PMRpro]

I am in Sommieres - north of Nimes - in France. Now on way home having visited Perpignan. In addition to PMR/GCA I also have bladder retention problem - hoping to get home (Scotland) without incident although have antibiotics with me. Just a stupid mistake this morning. Good to know about the bone density - the last time my was checked was in 1999 when I had just been diagnosed with MS and it was OK then.

Hay Ho

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jantayl]

Jealous!!!! And where in Scotland? Nosey me - I used live in Dundee, my brother is still there and my daughter is in Rosyth

[Jantayl in reply to PMRpro]

I am originally Dunfermline, my husband is from Rosyth. We now live in Freuchie - small village near Cupar in Fife. We know Dundee well as husband’s family is from there. Where are you?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jantayl]

Northern Italy!!!

[Rowergirl in reply to Jantayl]

I’m a Fifer!! I lived in Leven, but now on the other side of the Forth.

[Suffererc in reply to PMRpro]

😂😂😂

[WHL67]

I wouldn’t worry too much I missed mine for a week no adverse effect

[MrsNails]

As the others have said - take it tomorrow

No harm done…..

[Rynn33]

Hi. I was told by Rheum clinic that once I’m below 5mg Pred I can stop taking the AA so might be worth checking anyway - Dexa would be good to get anyway. Enjoy your hols.

[Prof99 in reply to Rynn33]

That's interesting! I am well below 5mg (1 3/4mg) and would love to reduce the number of drugs I am taking. No body ever said when I could stop taking AA - next Rheumy phone call isn't until 2023 now. Think I might write in and ask! Thanks for that info.

[Exflex]

I take Risedronate (another form of AA) but sometimes skip a week, to once a fortnight. Not under medical advice, just me. I’m taking 2.5mg Pred daily.

[Rugger in reply to Exflex]

I did exactly the same when I was building up to coming off altogether after 5 years! The drug will stay with us for ages after the last dose......

[Rugger]

I 'missed' my bisphosphonate drug permanently after 5 years! I wouldn't have taken it at all, except I was diagnosed with osteoporosis by a Dexa scan. Don't panic and have a safe journey home.

[Feeder]

Hi Jantayl,

Yes you can miss it. Please don't panic. Just make sure you take your next dose on Sunday. Because it is a once weekly medication, even if you were to get a prescription for some more, it would then interfere with the continuity. Have a lovely time.

[Jantayl in reply to Feeder]

Yes I shall -reminder to myself - take AA next Sunday. I have ample medication with me. Just felt such a fool - the first time I have missed dose in 5 years!! Thank you for your reassurance.