Get Informed: Fosamax
Active Ingredient(s)
Fosamax
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, and is also used in the treatment of Paget's disease. It is a bisphosphonate, and is believed to work by reducing the activity of bone removal cells (osteoclasts).
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-21 6:39 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Fosamax
- Fosamax Once Weekly
- Alendronate
- Alendronic Acid
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 29 Sep 1995
- Est US Patients*
- 1,940,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Fosamax or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Fosamax
Fosamax Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Fosamax interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Fosamax used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 12,900 patients that use Fosamax (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Osteoporosis | 100% | 
|
How well does Fosamax work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 12,900 users taking Fosamax (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 74%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Fosamax outweigh the bad things.
- 14%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Fosamax.
Common Side Effects of Fosamax
iGuard regularly polls our more than 12,900 users taking Fosamax (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
12% of patients experience side-effects on Fosamax
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Fosamax
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Heartburn/Reflux
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bone/Joint Pain, Constipation, Itch/Rash, Nausea/Vomiting, Restlessness, Sweating
Global Patient Feedback for Fosamax ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
After several years on once a week Actonel, my insurance switched coverage to alondronate/Fosamax a year and several months ago.
After a year, I developed problems with my jaw locking, and pain surrounding a lower rear molar bad enough to consider having the offending tooth removed! But my dentist said the 2 problems were tied possibly to fosamax and suggested I try 3 months off the drug.
Last night, I developed an extremely painful hip in a replacement I had done 3 years ago! How can a hip replacement have arthritis, since it is titanium?
I am now concerned I may one of those affected by this type of medication. At 82 (female), I have slight osteopenia, and will take my chances without these bone saving medications. My GYN agrees with my conclusions, as does my dentist. I will inform my Primary Care Physician of my decision at my next appointment next month. Meanwhile, I continue with my 50+ Fitness attendance, since walking after my hip replacement is actually no longer an option! I was a race-walker, doing 5 miles every morning prior to the surgery, which affected my stride and muscle useage poorly. Oh, well, maybe I walked enough!!!
83 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-13 15:09:58
Question/Comment:
My question is why do you have to sit or stand for 30 minutes? and if you don't what can happen?
46 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-08 19:00:05
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Alendronate (Fosamax) is not well absorbed and is irritating to the esophagus (the tube in your throat that connects your mouth to your stomach). By sitting and standing for 30 minutes (and avoiding laying down), you will get the most absorption of the drug to get the maximum benefits and you reduce the risk of irritation to the esophagus.
Posted: 2009-12-09 12:24:20
Question/Comment:
Can taking Fosomax lead to burning mouth syndrone? I also take diclofenac 75 mg twice daily. Any interaction there? When the burning alleviated, extreme dry mouth and metallac taste persist. Also dry lips, little mouth blisters, and disolving of muscosal lining inside lips. Very annoying.I have to sip fluids constantly to lessen the discomfort.
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-10-29 21:42:51
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The manufacturer's product labeling for Fosamax lists some of the side effects you are experiencing including taste changes, rash and redness. Diclofenac can cause an altered taste, a dry mouth as well as mouth sores. Your side effects may be a combination of the 2 drugs. However, there may be other causes of your mouth symptoms, including an infection. You should followup with your doctor to discuss your side effects and determine if you need to change your therapy.
Posted: 2009-11-03 12:17:58
Question/Comment:
I take low dosage asprin 1x/day, Fosomax once a week, and calcium with vitamin D, 600 mg 3x/day per my doctor's instructions. Your latest alert warns that calcium can interfere with Fosomax and that the two should be taken many hours apart. The same for asprin. Questions:
1. I read recently that calcium should be taken within 2 hours of taking Fosomax. Do 2 hours consititute 'many'?
2. I take calcium morning, noon and night. When is best time to take the aspirin? How much time must elapse?
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-24 08:04:31
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Calcium and Fosamax need to be separated by at least two hours. Taking calcium with Fosamax can decrease the absorption of the Fosamax which is why it is important to separate them.
If you take aspirin that is enteric-coated, you need to separate it from the calcium by two hours.
Posted: 2009-09-28 00:26:44
Question/Comment:
I am taking fosamax for a very long time is there a time when you should stop
69 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-13 09:45:35
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Fosamax has been shown to be safe and effective in studies up to 7 years. Patients do take it longer than that. With osteoporosis, it is common to take Fosamax or another medication like it for the rest of your life.
Posted: 2009-09-20 01:32:59
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
81
Patient Comments about
Fosamax