Alendronate for Osteoporosis User Reviews

Brand names: Fosamax, Binosto

Alendronate has an average rating of 2.9 out of 10 from a total of 114 reviews for the treatment of Osteoporosis. 19% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 78% reported a negative experience.

Alendronate rating summary

2.9/10 average rating

114 ratings from 122 user reviews.

Compare all 132 medications used in the treatment of Osteoporosis.

10		11%
9		2%
8		7%
7		0%
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5		3%
4		0%
3		5%
2		6%
1		67%

Reviews for Alendronate

Jenjen
Taken for 1 to 6 months
August 13, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "Doctor prescribed Fosamax for my osteoporosis to be taken once a week. Started taking it and after the second dose, my legs felt like lead and I felt irritable and depressed. Persisted for another three weeks until I developed a terrible skin rash and weeping sores. Saw my doctor who took me off Fosamax immediately. I will continue with Calcium and Vitamin D3 and continue to exercise and eat healthy. Side effects of Fosamax are not worth the risk."

1 / 10

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427 Report

Sandy
September 16, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "Last year I had a DEXA and was told I had full-blown osteoporosis. It was so advanced that my doctor told me to participate in no activity, such as skiing, that could put me at risk for a fracture. She more than strongly recommended that I start Fosamax. Reluctantly, I started it, knowing the potential of all the terrible side effects. I also committed that I would do a 30-minute resistance band workout 3 times a week. I experienced no side effects, that I am aware of. So one year later, I had another DEXA scan. I am thrilled to say that I am no longer in osteoporosis but rather am in the osteopenia range or normal. My density improvement ranged up to a 23% improvement. I am going to continue taking it for at least another year because I would love to see if I could improve my density further. I am eager to stop as the jawbone issues scare me to death but want to give it just a bit more time to make a difference."

9 / 10

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439 Report

Anjan...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 18, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "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 weeks dose, I’ve had a 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."

1 / 10

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352 Report

Frequently asked questions

Insights from a Pharmacist about Osteoporosis Treatments

Sis
Taken for 1 to 6 months
February 2, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "Have resisted alendronate sodium for years, but finally gave in. Took, I think, 5 doses (once a week). After last dose had such severe pain in hip, leg, knee, most of right side -- the worst pain I have ever had, and I have had two babies and two hip replacements. Blood work, urine work and x-rays revealed nothing serious. Two weeks later, I am a little better on strong pain meds. Could not sit or stand up without crying out in pain. Am hoping to have full recovery. BTW I am the one who realized the connection and told my doctor, not the other way around. I would NEVER recommend this to anyone!"

1 / 10

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363 Report

Tropico
Taken for less than 1 month
October 16, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "Used it twice. Stopped taking it. I can't recommend it. My doctor prescribed it because I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. First dose was very bad. Diarrhea, stomach pain like ulcers, very tired. Second dose was even worse. Diarrhea SEVERE stomach cramps, I thought of going to the hospital. Joint pains in my ankle and knee. Do NOT use if you have any stomach problems. It feels like it is damaging, eating the stomach lining. Very scary experience."

1 / 10

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265 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Cilla...
Taken for less than 1 month
January 30, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "First dose I felt achy and joint pain but it went away in a few days. Second dose my joints hurt so bad I could hardly move. I stop taking them after the second dose. It has been two weeks and my bones and joints hurt so bad. Why is this still prescribed? It is horrible. I had no joint pain before taking this."

1 / 10

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280 Report

Sijai
Taken for 1 to 6 months
October 16, 2013

Fosamax (alendronate) "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."

5 / 10

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520 Report

Taylo...
Taken for less than 1 month
August 31, 2014

Fosamax (alendronate) "I was on Daily Fosamax about 5 years ago. I had severe GERD and stopped taking it. I used calcium supplements, and in those years, I didn't have much change. Recently, after a scan, it showed that I had bone loss, so I went to the weekly Fosamax. I took it in the morning, and by that evening, I had severe backache and muscle ache that got worse. Then I had horrible bloating. I could hardly walk with the pain. I called my pharmacist, and they told me that I need to contact my doctor and to stop taking the medication. They told me that the side effect symptoms might take up to 7 months to go away. I cannot function. I will contact my doctor to see what he has planned. I would like to just take calcium and vitamin D regularly."

1 / 10

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453 Report

Purpl...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 7, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "Started fosamax this weekly medication. Took 3 doses and stopped after 3rd because of severe pain, swelling and decreased range of motion in wrists and right elbow. Startling side effects - (never have side effects), I would not recommend this medication to anyone. Ever."

1 / 10

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223 Report

Natalir
Taken for less than 1 month
March 22, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "I took Two weekly doses of Fosamax then stopped because of side effects. Rapid weight gain, acute abdominal distinction (like I’m 7 months pregnant), aching back, aching hips, fatigue and random itching. Been off it for a month and side effects have not abated at all. It’s like I woke up and suddenly aged an extra 30 years overnight. Hope the side effects go away soon."

2 / 10

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221 Report

Susan
Taken for less than 1 month
September 29, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "My rheumatologist prescribed Fosamax to me in summer 2018. I carefully followed the directions when I took the first pill. I was barely able to sleep the first 2 nights. I then began to feel achy, like I was coming down with the flu. It hurt to move. I was miserable and let the doctor know. He had me take calcium and vitamin D for 2 weeks before taking the 2nd dose. After the 2nd pill I again felt miserable and deep-down achy. It is possible for bones to hurt? I felt like I was walking with lead boots on. My body obviously does not tolerate this drug at all."

1 / 10

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234 Report

No to...
February 21, 2017

Fosamax (alendronate) "I agree all drugs have side effects but fosamax is dangerous. My mom has been taking it since last 2 weeks and from that time she has been having all sorts of pain, discomfort which she never had before. Doctor said they will eventually go away but she ended up hospitalized with severe pain in jaw, chest, neck , in short every where. I don't know why this medicine is even in the market."

1 / 10

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298 Report

Anonymous
October 6, 2011

Fosamax (alendronate) "I was diagnosed with osteopenia in 2000 and took Fosamax for 9 years. My bone density showed slight improvement after 3 years, but still in the osteopenia range. One year later, no improvement. I am grateful to have my bone density fairly stable, but am disappointed to not have had improvement after 9 years."

2 / 10

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450 Report

Not...
March 13, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "Took Fosamax for 4 months and go terrible side effects such as pain in my knees, in my hips, shin, foot. Th pain is not always in the same place. Could not sleep anymore. Painkillers did not help. Got so bad that I hardly could walk. Stopped taking Fosamax and slowly I am feeling better"

1 / 10

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228 Report

Anonymous
April 10, 2017

Fosamax (alendronate) "Unfortunately, after being on Fosamax for 2 years, experienced all the typical reported side effects from other users. Thought, ok need to deal with that, if it is going to help my osteoporosis. Well, to my surprise, bent over to pick up a hose and my entire leg went out right from underneath me just like that, I had fractured my femur. Have an 18 inch rod in my leg with a 4 1/2 inch Home Depot screw in my hip. That was just the start of it. Have had 5 fractures since in 2 years. Had 1 shot of Prolia (insurance requirements) now on Forteo, once a day injections, don't care, hope that will bring some improvement for a better quality of life."

1 / 10

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273 Report

Patty
February 21, 2023

Fosamax (alendronate) "I started taking Fosamax once a week a month ago and took three doses. I have had horrible depression, fatigue, and body aches. I talked to my doctor and was told that the depression was not a side effect. I have never felt this bad before and refuse to take it ever again. It is a horrible drug."

1 / 10

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72 Report

Nitro...
June 10, 2015

Fosamax (alendronate) "MD prescribed Fosamax. Took first dose and two day later woke up with a severe headache, boating, gas and terrible nausea. By the time I got home from work I had severe back pain, joint pain and headache. The boating was almost intolerable. The next day, nausea was worse and the headache continued with no relief even after OTC pain med. I will take Calcium and Vitamin D instead."

1 / 10

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305 Report

Walker
Taken for 1 to 6 months
January 29, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "I was on fosamax for 3 months and everything was fine until I started getting pressure in my chest, had EKG, chest X-ray, everything was fine but pressure was still there, stopped it immediately after talking to pharmacist and that was one of the serious side effect, it’s been 4 weeks I have been off it and still have chest pressure which can take a few more months or longer to go away. I WOULD NEVER TAKE THIS AGAIN"

1 / 10

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161 Report

Susie...
Taken for less than 1 month
October 30, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "I’ve been on fosamax for 3 weeks, taking it once a week, on a Sunday. The first week I was constipated, bloating. That lasted most of the week. I started my second round on Sunday, Monday afternoon I started having joint and muscle pain. By late in the afternoon my knees were swollen and I had difficulty walking and climbing 2-3 stairs. By Thursday I was feeling back to normal. This past Sunday I took my third pill, the next day I had joint and muscle pain, flue like symptoms, headache, nausea, fever, chills. I’ve decided to stop the medication and take coral calcium and a vitamin D supplement."

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163 Report

donner
July 11, 2018

Fosamax (alendronate) "I was put on fosamax once a week pill 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."

1 / 10

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196 Report

Anonymous
June 25, 2011

Fosamax (alendronate) "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."

3 / 10

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350 Report

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

Fosamax (alendronate) "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."

2 / 10

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225 Report

Susie
Taken for 1 to 2 years
December 5, 2018

Fosamax (alendronate) "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."

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167 Report

sunsh...
June 17, 2013

Fosamax (alendronate) "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."

3 / 10

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265 Report

Dubious
May 4, 2021

Fosamax (alendronate) "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 !!!"

1 / 10

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92 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.