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Alendronate

Fosamax

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Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Endocrine

Routes

PO

Indications

bone pain (osteolytic lesions)Idiopathic hypercalcemiaOsteopenia

Mechanism of Action

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption by binding to hydroxyapatite and inducing osteoclast apoptosis.

Side effects & warnings

Esophageal irritation risk — give with water, keep upright. May cause jaw osteonecrosis rarely. Used in cats for idiopathic hypercalcemia.

Species with Alendronate dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Weak×1Moderate×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 2 published sources

  • · JVIM 2012; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)PO0.2–0.5 mg/kgq24h or once weeklyWeakPlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)PO10 mg per catOnce weeklyModerateJVIM 2012; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook

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Calculate Dosage for Alendronate