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 | What are the side effects of Fosamax?
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|  Fosamax (generic name alendronate) is a drug that prevents and treats the bone-thinning disorder osteoporosis. Fosamax slows bone breakdown, builds bone mass, and reduces the chance that bones will break. It also treats Paget's disease (weak or deformed bones). Common side effects are usually mild and include stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, gas, stomach fullness, headache, and muscle pain. Severe irritation of the esophagus is a rarer side effect from Fosamax. Signs and symptoms of this problem include pain, swelling, or bleeding in the throat, chest pain or heartburn, and painful swallowing. If you have any of these problems, contact your doctor immediately. To avoid esophageal irritation, take Fosamax on an empty stomach with plenty of water and don't lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking the drug. Fosamax may cause jaw bone problems in some people. Talk to your doctor before having a dental procedure.
There is a possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and/or muscle (musculoskeletal) pain in people taking Fosamax. If you have any of these problems, contact your doctor immediately. Sources:
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2007.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.
Fosamax product information, Merck & Co. Inc., 2008.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2008.
This answer prepared 8/31/2000.
This information updated 1/8/2008.
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