Abstract
Introduction: The effectiveness and safety of alendronate sodium are dependent on patient adherence to very specific guidelines regarding use. This study aims to estimate the rational use of alendronate sodium in the elderly. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with a structured questionnaire containing form of use and occurrence of adverse events related to alendronate sodium. The patients were recruited in their own homes. Rational use was considered as being the participants who: a) took the tablet in the morning; b) were fasting; c) waited at least 30 minutes before eating; d) ingested with a full glass of water; e) ingested the whole tablet; f) and remained in the orthostatic position for at least 30 minutes after use. Additionally, the odds ratio (OR) was used to analyze the association between the irrational use of alendronate sodium and the independent variables. Results and Discussion: Of the 248 participants in the study, most of the participants administered the medication in the morning (95.2%), with fasting (89.1%), waited at least 30 minutes to eat the first meal of the day (87.9%), and were in the orthostatic position until the time of the first meal (78.6%), but less than half ingested the tablet with a full glass of water (43.6%). Rational use of the medication was observed in only 30.7% of the participants. Regarding possible adverse events, 13.3% of the participants reported some event. Among the most prevalent were dry cough (6.5%), stomach pain (5.2%) and some throat discomfort (4.8%). The irrational use of this medication is associated with age and education level. Conclusion: The prevalence of irrational use of alendronate sodium in the elderly is high, and this use is associated with patients’ sociodemographic factors.
Highlights
The effectiveness and safety of alendronate sodium are dependent on patient adherence to very specific guidelines regarding use
This cross-sectional study was conducted with the elderly, 60 years or older, using alendronate sodium and attended by the public health system, the SUS, in the city of Divinópolis, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, a municipality with an estimated population of 238,230 inhabitants in 2019.16 The city has 44 primary health care units located in 12 health regions, and has 43.9% coverage of the family health strategy
Regarding the use of alendronate sodium, the majority of the participants administered the medication in the morning (95.2%), fasted (89.1%), waited at least 30 minutes to take the first meal of the day (87.9%), and were in the orthostatic position until the first meal of the day (78.6%), but less than half ingested the tablet with a full glass of water (43.6%) (Table 2)
Summary
The effectiveness and safety of alendronate sodium are dependent on patient adherence to very specific guidelines regarding use. Rational use was considered as being the participants who: a) took the tablet in the morning; b) were fasting; c) waited at least 30 minutes before eating; d) ingested with a full glass of water; e) ingested the whole tablet; f) and remained in the orthostatic position for at least 30 minutes after use. Alendronate sodium comprises one of the most widely used medications for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and in Brazil it is the only oral medication for the treatment of osteoporosis dispensed free by the Unified Health System (SUS).[5,6] Its effectiveness and safety are dependent on patient adherence to very specific guidelines regarding use.[6] Inappropriate use of the medication can reduce bioavailability by up to 99%, reducing effectiveness, favoring an increase in the risk of bone fractures and hospitalizations, and a significant increase in sanitary and economic costs.[7] For safe use, it is necessary that the patient uses the medication with a full glass of water and remains in the orthostatic
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
