Osteoporosis is a common disease of bone wasting, predominantly in older, post-menopausal women. It’s an important disease mostly because it predisposes people to bone fractures (hip, femur) after falls, and breaking a bone late in life is correlated with poor recovery outcomes and morbidity.

So we’ve got Fosamax (alendronate) that many people take to prevent bone loss, but it turns out to be a pretty caustic molecule. So caustic, in fact, that you have to take it standing up , and stay upright for an hour after you took it, without food, and with a big glass of water. “After swallowing the tablet, do not lie down, remain fully upright sitting, standing or walking, for at least 30 minutes and until after you have eaten.”

If we can prescribe behaviors associated with prescriptions, I’ve got an idea for an excellent new blood pressure medication: a sugar pill that must be taken along with an hour of playing with a pet . I’m going to make millions.

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