Get Informed: Fosamax
Active Ingredient(s)
Alendronate
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:
- 2010-09-08 21:21
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-09-08 21:04
Other Names
- Fosamax
- Alendronate
- Fosamax Once Weekly
- Alendronic Acid
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 29 Sep 1995
- Est US Patients*
- 1,984,000
- 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.
Recent alerts for Fosamax
Fosamax Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Fosamax used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 14,900 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% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Fosamax work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 14,900 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 14,900 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 significant side-effects on Fosamax
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
Heartburn/Reflux
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bone/Joint Pain, Constipation, Itch/Rash, Nausea/Vomiting, Restlessness, Sweating
Global Patient Feedback for Fosamax (Alendronate) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Anyone had severe neck pain after taking Alendronic Acid?
77 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-09-02 12:00:53
Question/Comment:
I've been taking Fosamax (in the generic verson) for over 4 years now and as of my last physical exam/ total body bone scan I have shown a 5% improvement in bone mass. I am more that willing to continue taking that and the Calcium +D 600mg 3 times daily that my medical team and I have decided on as my course of treatment for this condition.
I understand that there is some controversy in the medical community about this but I am more than satisfied with my current regime.
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-18 16:46:35
Question/Comment:
I started taking once a week generic Fosamax. I followed the instructions & was happy that I felt fine with no nausea or heart burn which I am prone to. The second week I went to bed with a slight ache in my arm. At age 76 odd pains come & go. However I woke during the night with extreme arm pain. It seems to be coming from my elbow & feels like it's broken. Can barely use it . I'll take my chances with calcium, mag. & D.
I am discontinuing the med. will this pain get better, soon?
75 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-17 20:50:42
Question/Comment:
62 year old female. I had been taking Fosomax first, then was switched to Alendrolate + Vitamin D because of insurance. I have broken both femur bones, plus have had four, yes four hip replacement surgeries in the last four years. I strongly believe that this medication created many of the bone breaks I have experienced including 3 bones in one hip for no clear reason. I am shocked that I/we were given this medication to build bone mass only to be so greatly harmed by it.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-26 18:37:44
Question/Comment:
Has there been any more info on Fosamax causing brittle bones?. It was on the news a couple of weeks ago.
72 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-12 19:54:31
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Recent news reports and studies published in medical journals have raised the question about whether or not Fosamax and similar medications increase the risk of femur (thigh bone) fracture. At this time, the FDA has not found a clear connection between the use of oral bisphosphonate medications like Fosamax, and fractures of the femur. The FDA will continue to review new information as it becomes available and will update the public once the it's review is complete.
Posted: 2010-05-03 09:35:58
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 user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments About
Fosamax