CP is a 66-year-old female (height 5′ 1″, weight 110 lbs) wh…

CP is а 66-yeаr-оld femаle (height 5' 1", weight 110 lbs) whо cоmes to the pharmacy to pick up her monthly prescription refills.  Her past medical history includes osteoporosis for which she takes calcium carbonate/cholecalciferol 650 mg/500 IU chews twice daily and alendronate 70 mg by mouth weekly.  She tells the pharmacist that she has trouble swallowing her alendronate, despite taking the medication with a full glass of water.  She says she has developed esophageal stricture which was just diagnosed. Which of the following recommendations regarding alendronate is most appropriate for the pharmacist to provide this patient?