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Bisphosphonate administration — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardMusculoskeletal TherapeuticsBisphosphonate administrationGPhC CRA

A patient is due to start alendronic acid 70 mg weekly. They take calcium carbonate at breakfast and can remain upright. Which Sunday schedule is correct?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Take on waking with water; remain upright and wait 30 minutes before anything else

Oral alendronic acid has very poor absorption and can injure the oesophagus. It is taken on waking with plain water before food, drink or other oral medicines, and the patient remains upright for at least 30 minutes. Calcium, tea, food and simultaneous medicines impair absorption; bedtime dosing or lying down increases oesophageal exposure.

Reference: NHS: how and when to take alendronic acid. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/alendronic-acid/how-and-when-to-take-alendronic-acid/