About Thomas M. Manger, MD, PhD Expertise I am comfortable in general medical questions, as well as those targeting weight loss, diet, exercise, disease prevention, and other parameters of primary care and internal medicine.
Experience I am board certified in Internal Medicine, and hold a graduate degree in biomedical science and physiology. I have been in practice in a University setting for 8 years, and devote 90% of my time to practicing clinical medicine. I also teach medical students and residents in a variety of forums.
Question My doctor has suggested that I change from daily Actonel to once a week Foxamax. ( I was diagnosed with mild osteoporosis a year ago and I have lost 1/4 inch in height in the year I have been taking Actonel.)
I don't understand how once a week can be as good for my bones as daily. He says the once a week pill releases slowly into my system, but I don't understand how a pill can time release for a week. Can you help me understand?
Answer The weekly effect on the bone is the same as daily dosing, so there is really no advantage to dosing once a day. It is not necessarily how long the drug lasts is in the blood, but how long the drug effects the bone.
There is also a newer agent that must be given IV that can be dosed YEARLY!
This is an excellent site that may help with additional questions:
