Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic equivalents of Fosamax (alendronate sodium), Merck & Co.'s osteoporosis drug.

In a statement, the Israeli firm Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said the FDA had approved its new drug application to market the medication in doses of 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, 35 milligrams, 40 milligrams, and 70 milligrams. Shipment will begin immediately.

The brand-name drug had annual U.S. sales of about $1.9 billion for the period ended Sept. 30, Teva said.

New Jersey-based Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. also announced that it had received FDA approval to produce a 70-milligram dose of generic Fosamax.