Alendronate User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Cindy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 28, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I've taken 70 mg of Alendronate for over 4 years. Luckily, I did not experience any side effects. My bone density 2 years ago showed some improvement, although my doctor felt it should have been better. I had another bone density a month ago and my osteoporosis is worse, so basically I took this medication for nothing. He wants me on Prolia but those side effects really scare me. Guess I will increase exercise regimen to include weights and take a better calcium supplement and see if my bones get stronger that way."

• San
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 29, 2018

For Osteoporosis "Was on alendronate for nearly 13 years . From 2004 to April 2017 . Suffered back pain and hip pain . Had several bone density scans each time . It recommended I stay on the drug . Then in 2016 . I got out the shower , but my weight on my leg to reach the towel . My leg went from under me . I fell backwards Back into shower cubicle . Broke my right fumer and in the fall also broke left ankle . Was in hospital 3 weeks and rehab for 4 weeks . In April 2017 . I went for a check up . To be told it was most likely the drug that had caused the break . Due to being on them to long , as they can have opposite effect if taken long term . No one ever told me this ! If anyone is thinking of starting on this drug . Please please get advice first . If I knew what I know now , I would never have taken it"

• Fred
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "After taking Fosamax for two months I started experiencing terrible indigestion, GERD, stomach pain and intestinal swelling. It felt like I was 8 months pregnant. My doctor told me to stop. 6 months later the symptoms have eased but still present. I fear it has given me gastric ulcers."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2021

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was taking Alendronate for 6 weeks, I started getting head aches the first day I took them which continued off and on. Lots of stomach & bathroom issues, by 3 week, explosive diarrhea terrible stomach pain. 4 th, 5th, & 6 th pill the joint pains started. Why I stayed on this long still makes me angry. I called my doctor and told him I'm not taking them. Now it has been 4 weeks since my last pill and I was woken up with jaw pain and when I got out of bed I could hardly walk for pain in my left ankle . Why is this stuff not taken off the market , I wish I had never taken it, hopefully side effects will stop soon."

• Fern
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "Solgar Advanced Calcium Complex really helped with my horrible side effects of taking this drug. The side effects started on day 2 after my 1st dose. Bone pain (legs and teeth), restless sleep and an overall feeling of ickiness for 2 weeks. It seemed to trigger binge eating of salty carbohydrates. I gained 8 pounds! My registered dietitian daughter recommended I take a calcium supplement that contained vitamin K2. I immediately started to feel better. Over the 3rd week most of my symptoms have resolved. Needless to say, I will NOT TAKE ANOTHER DOSE OF THIS."

• Fosamax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "Thanks for others posting in this website. I’m 59 yo and recently diagnose osteoporosis and injected 1st dose Prolia without any side effects. But after further studies of Prolia, I decide to stop Prolia and switch to Fosamax plus. Now I have taken Fosamax plus nearly six months and also have NO side effects. I wish to share my positive feedback to encourage others to try this medicine."

• Rose
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2024

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was diagnosed with osteoporosis four years ago. I will be 75 this year and have been on alendronate for almost 3 years with no side effects at all. At my last bone scan, it showed a slightly worse reading for my bones and I will be getting another scan in a week. If the results show that there is no improvement, I will consult my doctor to discontinue the drug. I take 1000mcg of vitamin D3 every day but try to avoid calcium to prevent arterial blockages."

• Patsy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I took Alendronate once a week for seven weeks for osteoporosis. I discontinued taking Alendronate because I had every side effect listed on the drug interactions. I went to the doctor for severe upper back pain that radiated to my chest muscles. It felt like pleurisy. An EKG was negative. Then a few weeks later, I developed a UTI. I haven’t had one in over 20 years. For the past three weeks I have had intermittent diarrhea with bloating, heartburn and an upset stomach. I read that the half life is as long as you take the medication. I’m hoping I will start feeling better soon. Will never take this drug again."

• Cat
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Prescribed Alendronate and I took once a week for 4 weeks. I had side effects of severe joint pain and I could barely walk, did not put it together until I checked out side effects and then stopped taking it.t I old doctor I was also experiencing heart palpitations too, he said do not take any more, been off medication about a week now, have been feeling a pain in upper shoulder blade area, hope this go away soon,I will not take this ever again"

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2023

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "Had DEXA over one year ago which showed borderline osteoporosis. My GP prescribed weekly Fosamax pill and explained that it is a "light" drug with an unwarranted bad reputation. Took one dose at night and woke up at 2am with numbness in my fingers. Tried to rest until the morning and noticed upon looking in the mirror that my under eyelid was twitching. That was followed by what I can only describe as a series of twitches/tremors throughout my body and pain in my jaw and other joints. Most symptoms have gone away but I still have eye twitching after 9 months. I had my GP, cardiologist and a neurologist check out the symptoms. My GP took me off Fosamax due to the severity of symptoms. I am now doing daily weight bearing exercises, using supplements (Vitamin D, K, Calcium) and opted to try low dose hormone replacement to improve bone health. I am doing regular diagnostic tests with my cardiologist and GYN to catch any cardiovascular and other issues that come with taking hormones."

• sbchi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I'm 47, diagnosed with osteoporosis due to early menopause. After 2 doses (2 weeks) of this drug, I had hip pain that made it impossible to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. I now have hip and back pain so bad, I can't lift my legs to dress myself. I'm terrified someone will bump into me because any muscle contraction takes my breath away. I will not take another dose. I took my pill on Mondays (as directed) and both Mondays were filled with GERD-like chest-burning for most of the day but I powered thru thinking I was saving my bones. I used to walk 2-3 miles every day in the weeks prior to starting alendronate (without pain) I feel like I've aged 40 years in 2 weeks. I pray the pain ends soon. Scary medication!"

• jan
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2024

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Male 52 years. Hurt my back lifting a ladder. Bad pain in back if sitting or standing for more than 20 minutes. First doctor put me on pain meds, but did not fix the problem. This went on for almost two years before I convinced my doctor to do a full check-up. Eventually found out I had low bone density in spine. Rest of my bones have normal bone density. Taking Alendronate 70mg once a week, with two calcium pills and 1 D3 vitamins pill every day. Started feeling better within a month. I could be sitting/standing/walking for an hour before feeling pain. Every month it went longer before feeling the back pain. Now after 3 years on the medication, I can be on my feet for 12 hours before feeling back pain. Have not felt any side effects."

• Oma
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2018

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I took Fosamax for 5 years after having chemo and radiation for breast cancer with no problems. Now 15 years later I have brittle bone disease. My doctor prescribed Prolia but the side effects turned me off taking that and my pharmacist recommended taking Fosamax again to see if it works. I've only been on it for a month and so far no noticeable side effects that others have felt. I've always tolerated medicine well, I guess. Must be because I grew up in a drug store with the local doctor being best friends with my father!"

• kdtt
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I should have gone with my gut feeling after reading the majority of these reviews. You all (most of you) were spot on. This medication is toxic! I did hold back a couple of weeks after receiving the prescription - fearful of side effects. However, my Endocrinologist convinced me that I should take it. She claims they prescribe it all the time without complaints. She advised me of possible side effects upon prolonged usage - over several years. Well, I made it through two once-weekly doses. On day eight I experienced severe throbbing in my left wrist. On day 9 the pain extended to my right wrist, hips, back, shoulders and neck. I feel worse than anything I have experienced. I am not a lightweight to pain. In 2019 I endured major spinal lumbar surgery; a lumpectomy after breast cancer diagnosis; a Pitbull attack requiring 19 1-inch staples to my upper right arm; and a pacemaker/defibrillator installation. Bottom line.. trust your gut."

• Ry106
• May 13, 2016

For Osteoporosis "Alendronate70mg once a wk for 5 wks. Startd feeling very sick. Bad abdominal pain..heartburn..extreme nausea..feel like vomitting. Horrible pains in left thigh. Weird feeling in throat. Headaches daily. Bloated feeling. Abdominal pains everytime I eat and hunger pains extreme. Just total overall sick feeling. Went to ER..Ultrasound fine. Gastro set up appt for upper GI. Hoping ulcer wasn't form or any other damage.Hoping this pill will get outa system soon. Can not handle feeling nauseous all the time. Will never take this pill again. Input?"

• Vic
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I've been taking the generic form of alendronate for 20 weeks. I could not figure out what was happening to me. I've turned into a zombie. Sure I'd have a lazy day once in a while, but nothing like this. I am going to stop taking it but will continue with calcium, D3 and add weight bearing exercises as soon as I can. The same thing happened to my father and now I'm wondering if it was the handful of prescription drugs he was prescribed. I have not seen anyone else describe these symptoms so I might be completely wrong. I'll soon know. I want to save my bones, but do not want to lose my soul."

• Jo Jo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I took 70mg Alendronate weekly only twice. After the first week I woke up with severe pain in stomach. Then pain in my upper back, shoulders and neck. I took the second pill and finally made the connection. I contacted my doctor and told her what was going on. She told me to stop the pill. Now...my question is “how long do these side effects last?” I was skeptical right from the start. I should not have started this pill!"

• Cathy
• May 22, 2021

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I have been taking Fosamax weekly for about 9 months. I have significant hair loss and mild hip pain. If there is no improvement in my DEXA in a few months I will stop taking. I am too concerned about more serious side effects that tend to happen when on this drug for a longer period of time."

• Boodles
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I was asymptomatic but deemed high risk for fracture since diagnosed with osteoporosis. I respect some who’ve actually benefited from Fosamax. However, this has been a drug nightmare with symptoms similar to others here on this site. First week taking weekly Fosamax 70 followed next day by non stop diarrhea for remainder of week. Second week dose 2 had ongoing diarrhea, chills, nausea, fatigue and debilitating cramps as if punched repeatedly in stomach. To my FP’s irritation, strongly refused further treatment after 2 weeks stopping prior to 3rd dose. Also declined Prolia injectable as alternative as it must be followed by oral bio phosphates after injections discontinued. I’m still dealing with diarrhea and fatigue impacting quality of life. Please do extensive reading on side effects before pursuing Fosamax or other bone health drugs. I’m now pursuing a more natural option through exercise, nutrition, vitamins D3, calcium, K2 and fish oil."

• Honey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I am 59 and have osteoporosis in my lumbar spine (T Score -2) and osteopenia in both hips and neck I haven't started taking Fosamax but reading all the complaints scares the hell out of me. I am very healthy and have no other health issues. Why do they sell such a horrible product if it causes these problems and as most have stated didn't improve their score that much."

• Breezy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2018

For Osteoporosis "After taking it for seven weeks had to make an appointment with my Dr because I was in so much pain. The first thing my Dr told me. Was to stop taking it. Not realizing the pain was from taking Alendronate. I've been off of it for three months now. Although the pain is better, I'm still in pain. Sometimes I forget about my pain and try to quickly jump up from the sitting position and surprisingly, almost falling down. That's how bad my joints hurt when I move. My fingers and feet are constantly sore. My collar bone, tops of my thighs, and inside of my knees hurt when I move too and sometimes my wrist."

• GEB
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had a horrible side effects with Fosamax as well, shortly after I started the taking it I was having a lot of back pain then I started felt sick to my stomach and dead tired, had no energy at, I could barely get off the couch. I followed the instructions to a T as prescribed by my physician and pharmacy. I was tired for almost a month and after which time I spoke to my pharmacist about my side effects and she recommended I talk to my Dr about switching to Risedronate, which I did and he wrote a script for it so I started it by the afternoon my thighs hurt so bad I could hardly walk, it was almost like it attacked my muscles or something. I spoke to my pharmacist again and told her what was happening and she said that I was having side effects that may or may not go away. So between myself and my husband and my pharmacist we decided it was not worth what I was going through. This was 2 years ago and to this day I still have muscle/bone pain in my thighs!! Worst drug ever!!!"

• Bella
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 13, 2021

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I have been on Fosamax for two years with no side effects from it. I've had heartburn only when I didn't follow the directions to not bend over of lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking it. I recently had my second DEX scan in two years but was not sent my score so I can't comment on any improvement but I will ask in three months at my next physical. I will continue to take Fosamax as long as I need to."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I reluctantly started taking Alendronate on November 6, 2021. In addition, I had a knee injury and had begun physical therapy a few days earlier. My knee hurt when I kneeled or squatted, but I could walk without pain. I did not notice any issues for the first 3 weeks, but had started limping. I attributed the limp to the physical therapy and focusing on the injury, rather than the Alendronate. The pain got worse, and I spent a lot of time elevating the knee and wrapping it in ice. Meanwhile I finally had an MRI that verified tears in the Meniscus. By week 7 I purchased a cane to help me walk. It hurt to roll over in bed. My hips hurt, my leg hurt, everything hurt. I took the 8th dose on Christmas Day. I had suspected the pain might have more to do with the medication than the injury. I went on line and read how others had similar reactions. I decided to stop. Within 2 weeks the pain in my hips was gone, and by the end of January I was no longer limping."

• Penny
• November 21, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took 1 pill. I followed the instructions. It has been 10 days after 1 pill that I am STILL throwing up. My esophagus is raw. My stomach pain and bloating is horrible. Nothing helps. Severe headaches too. I wonder if my stomach is bleeding. I am at risk for that since bleeding ulcers at 19. I also have horrible back pain and pain in the hip bone. I wonder who would make a medicine so awful, that not living just to get away from the side affects would be a relief! Never ever again."