Alendronate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 24, 2023.

Applies to alendronate: oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent.

Serious side effects of Alendronate

Along with its needed effects, alendronate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking alendronate:

More common

Stomach pain

Less common

Difficulty with swallowing
heartburn
irritation or pain of the esophagus
muscle pain

Rare

Skin rash

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
bone, joint, or muscle pain, severe and occasionally incapacitating
chest pain
chills
confusion
convulsions
cough
diarrhea
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with moving
heartburn
heavy jaw feeling
hives or welts
irregular heartbeats
itching
joint pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loosening of a tooth
muscle aching or cramping
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
pain or burning in the throat
pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw
rapid weight gain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
redness of the skin
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
stomach cramps
swollen joints
tingling of the hands or feet
tremor
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting

Other side effects of Alendronate

Some side effects of alendronate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Constipation
diarrhea
full or bloated feeling
gas
headache
nausea

Incidence not known

Blurred vision or other change in vision
dizziness or lightheadedness
eye pain
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hair loss or thinning of the hair
sensation of spinning
sensitivity of the eye to light
tearing

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to alendronate: oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent.

General

Generally, this drug has been well tolerated. Adverse effects usually have been mild when patients adhered to prescribing instructions.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Bone, muscle or joint pain (sometimes severe)

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle cramp, joint swelling

Rare (less than 0.1%): Osteonecrosis of the jaw, atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures

Postmarketing reports: Myalgia, low-energy femoral shaft and subtrochanteric fractures^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia, pruritus

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, erythema

Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash with photosensitivity, severe skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, dyspepsia, acid regurgitation, nausea, abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, esophageal ulcer, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastric ulcer, esophagitis, esophageal erosions, melena, dysphagia, vomiting

Rare (less than 0.1%): Esophageal stricture, oropharyngeal ulceration, upper gastrointestinal PUB (perforation, ulcers, bleeding)

Postmarketing reports: Localized osteonecrosis of the jaw, generally associated with tooth extraction and/or local infection with delayed healing^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysgeusia^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, asthenia, peripheral edema

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Transient symptoms of myalgia, malaise and rarely, typically in association with initiation of treatment^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eye inflammation (uveitis, scleritis, episcleritis)^[Ref]

Metabolic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Symptomatic hypocalcemia (often in association with predisposing conditions)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (less than 0.1%): Urticaria, angioedema^[Ref]

Respiratory

Postmarketing reports: Acute asthma exacerbations^[Ref]

More about alendronate

Patient resources

Other brands

Fosamax, Binosto

Professional resources

Other brands

Fosamax, Binosto

Related treatment guides

References

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