Fosamax User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

Fosamax has an average rating of 2.6 out of 10 from a total of 74 reviews on Drugs.com. 17% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 81% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Fosamax

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

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."

8 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

37 Report

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

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."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

21 Report

Oma
Taken for less than 1 month
March 18, 2018

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!"

Was this helpful?Yes No

67 Report

Frequently asked questions

Cathy
May 22, 2021

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."

3 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

38 Report

Boodles
Taken for less than 1 month
March 15, 2022

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."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

29 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Honey
Taken for less than 1 month
June 15, 2022

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."

Was this helpful?Yes No

26 Report

Anonymous
Taken for 1 to 6 months
February 18, 2022

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."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

27 Report

Bella
Taken for 2 to 5 years
May 13, 2021

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."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

33 Report

MamaGro
Taken for 2 to 5 years
May 24, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I have been on this drug for over 3 years, once a week, 70mg. I had a kidney stone that was calcific. I’ve never had a stone in 64 years. Then, I have a large Calcific tendonitis from a calcium deposit in my toe. It’s significantly big! These do not go away, so now I have to have the toe injected for pain control. I also have Calcific tendonitis/capsulitis in my shoulder! I had to quit this med. Its benefits do not outweigh the risks. My orthopedic surgeon stated that this does happen in women. The gyn doctors put us on it for osteoporosis hoping that we will get at least to osteopenia, but he stated that he sees the side effects and hairline fractures/stress fractures in women and also has had several femur fractures. Not good!"

2 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

20 Report

Toomi
July 16, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Worst medication I have ever taken. I started Fosamax 2 weeks ago , followed the directions exactly for my first dose. Within 10 hours I was vomiting, headache, chills, fever, ached all over like severe myalgia. A week later I took my second dose not sure if my initial reaction was a flu bug. Nope, 15 hours later it started all again and more severe. I couldn’t walk, horrible sharp pain in my hip, plus all the stomach stuff. No thanks, this is no way to live. I’ll stop taking this awful drug."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

25 Report

jrobboz
Taken for 1 to 2 years
July 31, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I have been taking Fosamax for almost 2 years. At first, it caused mild constipation, but I think if you take it as prescribed with plenty of water and avoid lying down for the full 30 minutes, as well as not eating breakfast or taking other medication until after that, you should be fine. My doctor prescribed it after I had surgery on a broken wrist due to a fall. She recommended I take it for 5 years."

8 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

9 Report

Arlo
Taken for less than 1 month
September 15, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I took 3 Alendonate pills for my osteoporosis. Three days after my second pill, I began to experience some general pain and flu-like symptoms, but did take the third pill not knowing what was wrong. In a few more days, I literally could not walk because of the severe pain in my right knee and my right hip. I have only mild RA in my right knee, none in my hip. That was 4 months ago. I am currently just beginning to get my mobility back. What a horrid experience this has been. My doc now wants me to try Prolia. What??? Never. I did report my experience to the FDA."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

22 Report

Lambert
Taken for less than 1 month
July 20, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I have just taken my 4th weekly Fosamax pill. For 3 weeks I have been exhausted. I am active and now I don’t feel like doing things. I’m making myself walk. I have trouble sleeping. This is also new. My son looked at me yesterday and told me I look very tired. He’s right. I have also had the expected increased heartburn. I already have GERD and take medication for it. I don’t have any of the pain others describe. I wish there was another option. I have -2.9 in T3 T4."

2 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

22 Report

Kate
Taken for 1 to 6 months
June 3, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I have only been on Fosamax for seven weeks and so far have had no adverse effects. The only possible effect I've noticed is that my fingernails seem to be growing a lot faster than they previously did. I am 82 years old and very active and the only "symptom" I've had is morning low back pain which so far still persists. My doctor suggested treatment with Fosamax after a test he ordered following my last PE."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

7 Report

Yarnl...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 6, 2022

For Osteoporosis "Was on fosamax for just two weeks when started PMS symptoms (I’m post menopausal)……then started my period. Have to go through all kinds of testing but I think it’s the fosamax! Anyone else experience this side effect???"

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

9 Report

Anonymous
April 19, 2011

For Osteoporosis "I have been taking Fosamax (once a week form) for 10 years now without problems. My last scan showed an improvement of 97 percent after ten years by checking my "T" scores. "

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

291 Report

jds
July 11, 2009

For Osteoporosis "I took Fosamax in 2003. I had severe leg cramps. I switched to Boniva because I liked the once a month dose verses weekly."

8 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

205 Report

Joano
Taken for 1 to 2 years
August 18, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Used Fosamax for two years and my bone density declined and was worse than when I started the drug."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

69 Report

Mary
Taken for less than 1 month
September 19, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Fosamax gave me absolutely shocking joint pain & diarrhoea all the time."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

63 Report

Barb
February 26, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I have taken Fosamax for 30 years. I have never had a problem. My back is strong. No problems."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

69 Report

Middle
Taken for less than 1 month
November 6, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "This medication fosamax caused me so much pain! I couldn't walk if I tried I would scream from the pain."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

66 Report

Tooth
March 3, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I was put on this med and within one month my teeth started to fall out in a slow sad way, my pain became worse as well as my body muscles deteriorated, but I kept taking this medication, why?"

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

42 Report

HHB
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
June 28, 2022

For Osteoporosis "In the months I’ve been taking it, I’ve had no discomfort and experienced no side effects."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

14 Report

worrier
Taken for 1 to 6 months
December 28, 2021

For Osteoporosis "My doctor put me on fosamax and reported to her my bones were hurting taking it. She wants me to continue but I stopped. I'm tired of the hurting from it."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

13 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.