Alendronate and Pain: What Users Say

• Anj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2020

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "I reluctantly began Fosamax due to my worsening osteopenia. I was fine after the first dose last week, no side effects at all. However, after this week's dose, I’ve had SEVERE pain in my chest. It’s been 4 days since I’ve taken it, and I still can’t eat because it hurts so much to swallow. Not to mention the nausea. I can only sip water, and even that hurts going down. I’m taking a generic Pepcid and Rolaids to help with this unbearable indigestion. I’m praying this drug hasn’t done permanent damage to my esophagus. This drug should be taken off the market."

• Ost...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2022

Alendronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I started having a lot of soreness and pain in my right and left shoulders and forearms. It was terrible!! After reading all the horror stories, I was very concerned. I stopped taking the drug immediately (was taking 1 pill every week). Started reading reviews from all you good people, started taking 1 Aleve and 1 Advil (minigels) in the morning and before going to sleep. After a few days, the pain started to subside. Feeling almost back to my normal self again! Never taking that stuff again. Taking calcium and D3. Hope this helps someone!"

• Sij...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2013

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "When I first started this, there were little small side effects. I figured over time I would get used to the side effects and thus deal with them. Instead, the side effects became intolerable. I would test the med by taking it while I was feeling well. I still had several side effects. Finally, the last time I took this, the side effects made me sick for two full days. Terrible upset stomach, extreme gas and bloating. Worse aches and pains, unable to sleep even with sleep medication. On the verge of vomiting at any moment, very dizzy. Extreme bone pain. Several other situations happened with the last dose."

• Bit...
• March 6, 2017

Alendronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Honestly, the worst medicine ever. People who invented it should be sued. I mean, what were they thinking? It sent my mom to the ER after 3 days, and she was admitted for 8 days in the hospital. She is still recovering. It will give you tons of pain all over your body, head, jaw, and more. It will make you unstable. I mean, seriously, the inventor of this medicine should be cursed for the rest of his or her life."

• No ...
• February 21, 2017

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "I agree all drugs have side effects, but Fosamax is dangerous. My mom has been taking it for the last 2 weeks, and since then she has been having all sorts of pain and discomfort that she never had before. The doctor said they would eventually go away, but she ended up hospitalized with severe pain in her jaw, chest, neck, and basically everywhere. I don't know why this medicine is even in the market."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2013

Alendronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Started taking June 2013, once a week. Four weeks into taking, started having headaches but didn't connect the dots. Then started having severe sharp pain in back and upper right behind rib cage. Pain was so severe, went to ER, where they didn't know the cause (had my gallbladder removed 18 years ago). Finally spoke to my primary and the connection was made."

• don...
• July 11, 2018

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "I was put on Fosamax, a once-a-week pill. The doctor said it would take 2 years to find out whether it was working or not. I stopped taking it after almost 1 full year. I would take it on Wednesdays and my legs would ache so bad that I could hardly walk the stairs. Those aches would last just about the whole time before the next pill. I couldn't take it anymore."

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

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."

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

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "I had a bone scan. Dr. said I had mild osteoporosis and to take Fosamax once a week and some added supplements to help bone repair. I took it on a Monday. Within 24 hours, 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!"

• Nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

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."

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

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 grandson's Desitin. Every time I get up to go to the bathroom, I feel really dizzy, and my knees are a little painful. I can only be thankful that I started this on my day off of work. Hopefully, this diarrhea stops by tomorrow. For one, I will NOT BE TAKING A SECOND DOSE OF THIS. I am done with Fosamax."

• LaV...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Give me osteoporosis. Nothing worse than this! I could not get myself to take my weekly dose today. I have been taking Alendronate Sodium for 1 month now. I feel so bad. Today, before taking it, I decided to read the reviews on it. OMG, I identified with all of them. I have never had so much pain in my 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 to this terrible drug."

• 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 was recommended I stay on the drug. Then in 2016, I got out of the shower, but my weight on my leg to reach the towel. My leg went from under me. I fell backwards back into the shower cubicle. Broke my right femur, and in the fall, also broke left ankle. Was in the hospital for 3 weeks and rehab for 4 weeks. In April 2017, I went for a check-up. I was told it was most likely the drug that had caused the break. Due to being on them too long, as they can have the 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."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2021

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was taking alendronate for 6 weeks. I started getting headaches the first day I took them, which continued off and on. Lots of stomach and bathroom issues. By 3 weeks, explosive diarrhea, terrible stomach pain. The 4th, 5th, and 6th 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."

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

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "Had DEXA over one year ago which showed borderline osteoporosis. My GP prescribed a 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 2 a.m. 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."

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

For Osteoporosis "I took 70 mg of alendronate weekly only twice. After the first week, I woke up with severe pain in my 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!"

• sbc...
• 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 through 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!"

• Cat...
• May 22, 2021

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."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2018

For Osteoporosis "After taking it for seven weeks, I had to make an appointment with my doctor because I was in so much pain. The first thing my doctor 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 a sitting position and, surprisingly, almost fall down. That's how bad my joints hurt when I move. My fingers and feet are constantly sore. My collarbone, tops of my thighs, and inside of my knees hurt when I move too, and sometimes my wrist."

• kdt...
• 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 nine, 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 a 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."

• Ret...
• August 30, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took one dose of this hideous drug. Within 24 hours, I started experiencing horrible hip pain, then shoulder and back pain. I have been unable to go about my daily duties because I am overcome with pain and fatigue. It has been a week today. When will this be out of my system?"

• Ret...
• August 30, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took one dose of this hideous drug. Within 24 hours, I started experiencing horrible hip pain, then shoulder and back pain. I have been unable to go about my daily duties because I am overcome with pain and fatigue. It has been a week today. When will this be out of my system?"

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2018

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took the once-weekly pill for eight weeks. My quality of life is still suffering three months later. After eating, I become nauseous and vomit at least twice a day. Bone pain, jaw pain, dental issues (never had before), excruciating heartburn and indigestion, and an overall sickly feeling rounds out my symptoms. Stay away from this toxic medicine!!"

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

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 online 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."

• nut...
• May 25, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "9 months from just 2 doses (35 mg/week), and I am finally recovered from the severe arm, hand, and shoulder pain it triggered. A factor in my adverse reaction to alendronate is likely that I was also taking PPIs, which I learned later amplify absorption. After the first dose, I noticed sharp pains in my fingers that came and went. After the second dose, the next day I had severe pain in my right forearm, which grew worse over the next few days. I switched to using my left arm, but then that forearm grew painful, too. (I also had a few cramps in my thigh muscles over the first few days and some pain in the balls of my feet.) Over the next few weeks, my forearms slowly improved, but as I started using my arms more, I developed pain in my shoulders and fingers. With rest, everything slowly improved. Believing I was well at 5 months, I carried a heavy bag on my shoulder, which triggered 6 weeks of shoulder pain. Now, at 9 months, I'm finally okay."