Alendronate

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Fosamax

Pharmacological Mechanism

Aminobisphosphonate — incorporates into hydroxyapatite + inhibits farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase in osteoclasts → osteoclast apoptosis → reduced bone resorption. First-line oral therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Esophageal irritation requires upright positioning + 30 min fast post-dose.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 240h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 70 mg (Range: 5–70 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• musculoskeletal

Pathways It Modulates

• Bone remodeling (inhibitor) — osteoclast farnesyl-PP synthase (N-bisphosphonate)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 2088
• Formula: C4H13NO7P2
• Molecular weight: 249.1 g/mol
• InChIKey: OGSPWJRAVKPPFI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: C(CC(O)(P(=O)(O)O)P(=O)(O)O)CN

References

• PMID 10384857