Alendronate User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2011

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "My bone density improved while taking Fosamax. However, I had nausea, intense heartburn, gained 20 pounds, and had to start taking prescription stomach medications due to gastric problems. Finally, I stopped taking it, lost 20 pounds, felt much better and could eat again, but my doctor is now telling me I have lost significant bone mass since stopping this medication. Will now try Atelvia with calcium supplements."

• Kelly...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 30, 2017

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "This medication created a terrible fracture to my femur after 4 years of taking it. I am a relatively healthy 75-year-old female. I am now in a great deal of pain and in rehab after having a rod placed in my shattered femur. I am sorry I ever took this medication, and have stopped taking it."

• Tish
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was prescribed Fosamax for osteopenia. I have taken a total of 6 doses. I had no side effects for the first 2 weeks. By the 3rd week extreme fatigue and headaches. I continued for another 3 weeks hoping symptoms would go away. When they didn't I discontinued taking it but a week AFTER I quit I developed severe bone pain, unbearable pain which is worse at night. I am taking arthritis drug to make the days bearable. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THIS PAIN EVENTUALLY GOES AWAY!! I will be calling my Dr. on Monday."

• Fosaj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2023

Fosamax (alendronate) for Prevention of Osteoporosis "As of late June 2023, I have taken my third weekly dose. I am 77 years old and in excellent overall health. Within the first week, I became aware of some constipation, which I thought would dissipate but it persists. I have also developed slightly achy bones, mostly in my upper body, and a heavy feeling in my legs that has made my 2-3 mile walks more challenging. After reading all the negative reviews just now, I am going to stop the medication for a few weeks and see if I return to "normal." If "normal" returns, I shall dispose of the remaining doses and let my PCP know. It especially worries me that a number of reviewers who took Fosamax for a long time achieved only a small improvement in bone density. Not a good trade-off!"

• Susie
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 5, 2018

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "Took fosamax for brief time 8 yrs ago. Had to have tooth pulled and root canal. Developed NICO (Neuralgia-Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis) Jaw bone disease. Had surgery to scrape out dead bone and donor cells put in. Worse pain ever. Now it's been 8 yrs. of terrific burning pain. No Dr. Or dentist can help. Pain meds do nothing. Now I have full blow OP. They are pushing me to take these terrible drugs. I already have the worse side affects. Do i? No! Please if anyone had this let me know. Good luck."

• Maggie
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took Fosamax for several months back in 2010 . My scan showed osteopenia. After those months I started to have severe bone pain in both legs .A large amount of my hair also fell out as well . . I stopped the Fosamax . The pain took about 6 months to stop . The hair stopped falling out and after a year returned to normal . Terrible experience ."

• sunsh...
• June 17, 2013

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I started taking Fosamax for Osteoporosis and I have had a low back pain and body aches the first week, and on the second week I have had severe headache that lasted over two days, now its a dull headache. I'm not to sure on this medicine, I'm worried about the side effects. I hope the effects get better not worse."

• Dubious
• May 4, 2021

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I have been on Actonel for 6 years, no improvement, my insurance quit paying - instead will pay for fosamax. I'm supposed to start it tomorrow, but after reading these reviews, there's no way I'm going to attempt it. Thank goodness for people sharing !!!"

• Ranch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I had a bone scan. Dr said I had mild osteoporosis and to take Fosamax one a week and some added supplements to help bone repair . I took it on a Monday. Within 24 hrs. I hurt head to toe! Deep down bone and tissue pain. Tylenol didn’t touch it. I was in a recliner for 3 days crying to get up to go to the bathroom. I have had morphine for less pain than this! I’m tough but this was ridiculous! My muscles and bones hurt so bad just to breathe even. My knee swelled up along with all other pain. After 3 days it started to improve slightly every day. After 7 days I went to the chiropractor. He put my right jaw, 3 or 4 ribs, my left shoulder, and knee back in place. All from taking this drug! Doctor offered to give me a shot that lasted 6 months, I said absolutely not!"

• Phill...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I took Fosamax weekly for 2-1/2 years with great improvement in my DEXA scores. Suddenly had bad chest pain, spasm, and heartburn, diagnosed as GERD. After 2 months on PPI therapy, my nephrologist told me to stop Fosamax as that was to blame. My PCP, rheumatologist (who prescribed Fosamax for me), and GI doctor didn’t make the connection."

• redsox
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

Fosamax (alendronate) for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Prescribed Fosomax and took only ONE weekly pill and after 2 days I felt deep bone pain in my thigh, like drop you in your tracks pain. For 3 days after I truly thought I would have a thigh fracture - so I quit. Going the supplement route so we will see. If it works for you great-not for me."

• ARhoHo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I started on Fosamax in mid-July 2020 and after the third dose, two mornings later my left wrist was swollen to the size of a baseball! I discontinued the Fosamax since I believed it was the cause. My family doc didn't think so, but I saw a rheumatologist who concurred with me. He thought Fosamax caused the swelling. I'm now trying Actonel. I hope I have better luck with it."

• Kim
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 21, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Prevention of Osteoporosis "At age 47 my obgyn informed me I had "osteopenia" - the beginnings of osteoporosis. "It's hereditary," the doc said after I divulged in my medical Q&A the 'fact' that my mother, then 67, had been diagnosed with osteoporosis. He Rx'd Fosamax. Though skeptical (I was so young!), I picked it up at the pharmacy. Two weeks went by before I decided to just go ahead and take it. I took it at around 9:00 the morning of the 4th of July. I had guests arriving later that day. Around 10:00 a.m, my daughter and I walked several blocks to a 4th of July parade in town. While walking I felt a strange chemical-like cold/chilling sensation migrating up from my left knee up into my femur. I remember thinking, how odd, it's as if it's actually beginning to work - almost instantly?? By 3:00 that afternoon, when guests were due to arrive, I began to feel feverish, weak, exhausted. 102 temp, severe chills & nausea. Needless to say, I knew the Fosamax was to blame. Threw the remaining away & am SO glad I did! Fosamax For 'mild ostepenia' (I now contend there is no such thing)."

• Tripn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was diagnosed with osteopenia a few years ago after cancer treatment. Oncologist recommended Fosamax, but I took oral calcium and D instead. No improvement. I had a fall and suffered a severe mid foot fracture. A moth later another fall, fractured wrist. I started taking the Fosamax a couple months ago. Sometimes difficult to remember to take it before eating. I take the following day. I sit up for 30 minutes after. I have GERD, so I have been taking Pepcid for several years. So far none of the side effects experienced. I am hoping my bones become stronger, scared of falling again."

• Barb
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2023

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I’m not aware of any negative side effects that I’ve had from this Fosamax medication. I’ve taken it for about 18 months. I’ll learn if it’s improved my DEXA in 6 months. My rating of 8 is for not knowing about the benefits yet. I have to wonder if there are so many more negative than positive reviews because people who are happy with the medication are less likely to review it. My mom took it for years without any negatives either."

• Nurse
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "Took two doses one week apart. Headache, relentless gas, moderate to severe pain in my jaw, ear, hip, shin causing sleepless nights. Don’t plan to continue making myself miserable by taking this medication. I’m glad it works to improve DEX scans on some women. Unfortunately, I can’t continue this medication."

• Shell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "First dose of the weekly today — I have had diarrhea all day cannot leave the house, my butt is so raw I am using my baby grandsons Desinex. Every time I get up to go to the bathroom I was really dizzy and my knees are a little painful can only be thankful that I started this on my day off of work hopefully this diarrhea stops by tomorrow — for one will NOT BE TAKING A SECOND DOSE OF THIS .. I am done with fosamax —"

• Shay
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "My Dr put me on Fosamax back some years ago and it makes me wonder if that isn't the reason I've had the problems now I have. Spinal cord damage due to the point to where I not able to stand but for a short amount of time, I can no longer sit at my desk but for a short amount of time, and I have TMJ. My life has been altered forever..."

• Tess
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "After taking Fosamax for a couple of years, I developed bizarre heart arrhythmia. Rhythm was good while exercising, but horribly uneven when sitting/resting. Stopped taking Fosamax after seeing attorney's add on TV. Heart rhythm was fine after I stopped taking Fosamax."

• Pen
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "My bone scan showed severe osteoporosis. I am sensitive to meds. Decided to try Fosamax. Followed directions but I became so tired after taking it, I couldn't do anything. After a couple days it went away. I did have some muscle pain when I woke up in the mornings. The next week I took it I wasn't tired until the next day, but that night I had sharp pain near my heart, had heart flutters and my eye and neck hurt. I stopped taking the Fosamax but am still tired"

• Kitkat
• January 21, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I started taking Fosamax after I completed some dental work. My dentist refused to do implant if I was on the medication. After several weeks of taking the drug I started having achy joints and difficulty stepping up, headaches and weakness in my legs. Motrin didn't help at all. I didn't correlate the symptoms and the drug. I went to my doctor and requested PT because of returning problems with my sciatica. During this time I stopped the Fosamax for stupid reasons. Sometime later I started taking the drug again. This time it hit me like a brick wall. I was pet sitting for my son and literally had to pull myself up the stairs. Not realizing the drug was causing all these problems I asked for PT for my shoulder and hip. After 5 PT appointments my shoulder was worse and no improvement overall. Had a MRI of my shoulder and now have a torn rotator cuff. Yippee. Been through that before. I believe the Fosamax caused the tear and no clue about the hip."

• Dowanda
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2021

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I took my first weekly dose of Fosamax on Monday. Eight hours later, diarrhea began, along with a lower backache. On Tuesday morning, I woke up to a severe backache, back and abdominal muscle spasms, and severe pain in my right hand. I am unable to write, pick up a glass, or do even the most minor thing. I can barely get up out of a chair. Now, I'm running a low grade fever and have chills. This is a horrible medication. I will not take a second pill. I can only pray this passes."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I have been having the worst abdominal pain/bloating/constipation for the last week after just taking one 70mg Fosamax. Also, muscle aches, chills, and the worst headache ever. I am 66, an retired RN, and know a bit about medications. I took the pill Monday morning following all the directions and restrictions. After 24 hours and no side effects, I thought, "hey, I am one of the lucky ones", and put it out of my mind. Tuesday afternoon I started having severe bloating and nausea. That night proceeded in a nightmare. I had horrible cramping, body aches, headache, vomiting. It is now Saturday, 5 days after taking the pill and I have finally made the connection. I still am suffering from horrible bloating, stomach cramps, body aches, and severe headache. I've gone from thinking it was food poisoning, to a blockage, to a parasite, to finally putting the pieces together and realizing its this awful medication."

• LaVrn
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Give me osteoporosis. Nothing worst than this! I could not get myself to take my weekly dose today. I have been taking Alendronate Sodium 1 month now. I feel so....bad. Today before taking it I decided to read the reviews on it. OMG, I identified with all. I have never had so much pain, bones, joints, jaw, feet, dry mouth and sore eyes. How can a company put out such a product? I am so glad for everyone who posted their reaction for this terrible drug."

• Janet
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "My mom took this for 7 years. Injection at doctors office. I begged her to stop taking it when I saw what the possible side effects were. During treatment starting after less than a year on it she fractured her back multiple times, fractured her pelvis in several places, which had her bedridden for months, broke bones in her wrist, fingers, feet, and tibia. Suffered horrible GERD from it. After all that her doctor still recommended she take it!!!!! Unbelievable!! The icing on the cake was a diagnosis of severe Barrett’s esophagus ! now we’re afraid that may turn cancerous as we cannot seem to get it under control. It wasn’t until that happened that the doctor stopped the fosamax . This drug should have been pulled from the market years ago. DO NOT TAKE IT! It causes more problems than it allegedly cures. I would give this drug a - zero if I could . Too often we trust doctors blindly, you need to do your own research and ask lots of questions."