FOSAMAX Reviews (ALENDRONATE SODIUM)Average Rating: 1.4 (1230 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare FOSAMAX with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Age oldest to youngest. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 |
More on FOSAMAX: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR FOSAMAX | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | osteopenia | general fatigue,unexplained bone pain, stiffness in sides and back, bones in feet hurt, hips hurt, headaches.... i ache all over! i thought i might have a kidney stone because the pain was so severe i was in my chair for 3 days. | i wasnt aware of these side effects, just kept thinking i feel like im ninety. my lower back has never hurt before and i have never had heartburn in my life. i will stop using this drug at once after reading all of the same side effects in these women's statements! | F | 51 | 3 months 70 mg 1X W | 9/10/2010 | 1 | osteoperosis | took pill Saturday morning and by Saturday evening woke with extreme hip pain and pain across the chest which felt like severe muscle strain. Pain gradually subsided over the week. Didn't associate it with Fosamax until taking it again this Saturday and now pain in hips and chest is so severe I cannot walk, sit or sleep. Am lying flat on my back. | F | 51 | 2 weeks 70 MG 1X W | 8/29/2010 | 1 | Osteopremia | When I was 48, my bone density test showed that my bone density was less than it should be. Over a six month period of taking Fosamax, I became generally exhausted, both physically and mentally, to the point of not being able to do my job well and doing nothing in my spare time. I also began having soft tissue injuries which were peculiar. These have continued. | Prior to beginning Fosamax I was remodeling my home myself on the evenings and weekends (hanging doors, installing cabinets, building a carport, sheetrocking, etc). I also usually jog a couple of miles every day. I am a software developer. I thought I was experiencing menopause and wondered how anyone could possibly work til they were 65! After eight months, my prescription ran out and I was two weeks picking it up. Over these two weeks, my level of energy returned. I felt like I was being poisoned to death. I still have strange soft tissue injuries that I don't think are normal. While doing things that I know I am strong enough to do, I often get injured. I sometimes feel like it's where the muslce connects to bone that I have the issue. I don't really know. I have a serious shoulder injury from takaing off a jog bra. Recently I tore a stomach muscle while doing my daily crunches. I think I've had about five of these strange injuries doing things I've always done. | F | 51 | 8 months | 3/5/2006 | 1 | A TD score of - 4.2 | Indigestion, weight gain, breathlessness | I was concerned about osteonecrosis but did not know about possible weight gain. There's no other change I've made this year which accounts for gaining 16 pounds and I now have chronic indigestion which I'd neve had before. Because I have a low TD score of - 4.2 following 11 years post hysterectomy without HRT, last year I was placed on both medications after breaking my leg. I've taken myself off Fosamax and will stay on HRT to protect the bone I do have. I'll have a scan shortly and I hope the year's intake of Fosamax has given me more bone. | F | 51 | 365 days | 12/25/2006 | 1 | severe bone loss in hip | At 51, I am usually hot all of the time,so I was surprised when Fosamax gave me severe chills! Esophogus and stomach pains,then dizziness. In bed for 2 days completely out-of-it as though I had the flu. | My Dr. implored me to try the medication again. I just took it this morning and (after reading this website) am I sorry!!! | F | 51 | 2 times | 9/29/2005 | 1 | Osteopremia | Update to original comment of 03/05/2006: When I was 48, my bone density test showed that my bone density was less than it should be. Over a six month period of taking Fosamax, I became generally exhausted, both physically and mentally, to the point of not being able to do my job well and doing nothing in my spare time. I also began having soft tissue injuries which were peculiar. These have continued. | Update to original comment of 03/05/2006: I still suspect I have been permanently (or hopefully semi-permanently) altered by Fosamax. It is as though my ligaments became crystalized, without elasticitiy. And even though I feel I have sufficient muslce mass to perform a task or movement, something tears. I have way too many injuries near joints that manifest themselves as something like achilles heel, plantar fasciitis, tears near the shoulder, sternum, ribs, knees and maybe even ham strings. | F | 51 | 8 months | 11/12/2006 | 1 | Diagnosed with Osteopenia (-1.9 T) | Started on Fosamax after first bone density test in October 2005 based on an average -1.9 T-score. In about 3-4 weeks, I began noticing leg pain. At first I attributed it to the fact that I was increasing my walking schedule and taking the stairs at work. However, at week 5 when it turned into intense bone pain in my shins I began to wonder if it was related to this drug. I also would wake up in the morning with stiff, swollen and sore fingers. I stopped taking the drug for a couple of weeks in December to see if my symptons were related. In a few days the pain in my legs subsided, and the stiffness in my hands got a little better. Went back on the drug the first of 2006 and had immediate negative response again. Met with my doctor (who had never heard of any of my complaints from any of her other patients)ran several blood tests to see if it was related to anything other than this drug, and was told to stop taking Fosomax because it sounded like I was having an adverse reaction | (all my blood tests came back normal). She took me off this for 30 days and then had me start taking Actonel. I've been on Actonel for 6 weeks now, and now I have pain in my hands, arms, neck and shoulder. In fact, my left shoulder has locked up so much I can no longer reach behind me. Getting dressed has become a challenge not to mention normal daily functions. Last night I was awake most of the night as my left arm felt like it was on fire! I had difficulty making my bed this morning-I'm done! I bought into the "osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporsis" story. I refuse to be a guinea pig for the drug industry. Now that I understand the difference between a T-score and Z-score, I prefer to take my chances the natural way - diet and exercise. | F | 51 | 10 weeks | 3/24/2006 | 1 | Low Bone Density. | I have had left hip pain on and off for several months along with back pain. Last night a friend told me about the jaw side effects and I should stop taking this immediately. I told her I had not heard of ANY side effects. After reading all of these comments, I am stopping it immediately. My GYN put me on this several moths ago. I am not good about remembering to take medication so have not been very regular. Now I am glad I am so forgetful! GD | I have severe asthma that has been untreatable to date. Nothing works so I attributed my low bone density to all of the rounds of steroids I have been on. I am so grateful for everyone's comments. I agree that the drug companies are going to have to pay the piper over this one and pull it off the market. FDA, are you listening? | F | 51 | 6 days | 5/21/2006 | 1 | osteopeni | The first week was fine but then started to have stomach aches, diarrhea, and soon developed right hip pain which continued to get worse, spreading down to my right knee. I could hardly get up and moving was quite painful for the first 20 steps or so. I am still having severe hip, knee and right leg muscle pain after being off Fosamax for a month. I only took it for 6 weeks. I had taken Actonel for over a year with no side effects but had to switch for ins. reasons, and now wish I had paid the extra amount and stayed on Actonel. | The hip pain is being to subside, but I still have a long way to go. I am hoping it will go away completely. Has anyone completely recovered from their joint pain after stopping Fosamax? | F | 51 | 6 weeks | 4/16/2006 | 1 | osteopenia | joint and/or muscle pain; shoulder tendonitis and/or bursitis | Exercising the shoulder within 48 hours of Fosamax caused the shoulder to freeze within hours of exercise. Frozen for 4 days before I saw my doctor; he doesn't think it's Fosamax related, even though I mentioned the same shoulder experienced noticable muscle weakness twice in the last 2 months--both times within 24 hours of Fosamax. Muscle weakness lasted about 5 days each time. | F | 51 | 7 weeks | 7/8/2007 | 1 | showing sign of bone loss per test | I began having mild left hip pain. After 2 years on this drug I still have hip pain and developed severe bone and muscle pain in my lower left leg. I have sever pain in both knees, did not have any knee pain before taking Fasomax. Now I have a hard time getting up or sitting down. I am very active but after taking Fasomax for 10 months I feel like I am 100 years old and can no longer do any of the exercises that I did on daily basis before Fasomax. I can not go up and down the stairs without lot of pain. Every bone and muscle in my body hurts all the time fatigue especially in first 2 hours after taking hip and ankle pain, leg cramps I have been feeling progressively more fatigued, with many muscle and joint pains, especially hip pain and stiffness. It had gotten so bad that I couldn't get out of a chair after sitting for 30 minutes without difficulty.I had a lot of muscle aches at especially at night. I have servere joint pain, fingers, wrists, elbows knees back feet, I can't | F | 51 | 1 years | 4/27/2006 | 1 | Osteopenia (-1.9) Update | I took Fosamax for approx. 8 weeks, off for 5 weeks and took Actonel for 6 weeks. I have been off Actonel for approx. 9 weeks and am still experiencing tightness in my neck and pain in my left arm. Started physical therapy approx. 3 1/2 weeks ago to restore mobility in my left arm (left shoulder locked and I was no longer able to reach behind me). Am improving with the hopes of gaining full mobility eventually (my therapist is pleased with my progress so far - at this date we have no idea yet how many more sessions I will need to regain full mobility). The continuing pain (especially during the night) in my arm concerns me. Also, I still have cracking & popping in my neck, jaw & left wrist. | When discussed with my GP that I had gone off Actonel she suggested Boniva. I told her I would be crazy to try & take that, or maybe she's crazy if she thought I would try it. We had a laugh over that. Now she is pushing Evista (which also lists muscle/bone pain as a side effect). I will not be trying that either. I will continue to update as necessary. I am happy for those who had restored health in a couple of weeks. Mine, however, is taking a little longer, but there is hope, which I wanted to pass along to those who are continuing to suffer as I am. This is not just age related aches & pains (at least for some of us) but a result of taking biphosphonates. Nothing will convince me otherwise. | F | 51 | 8 weeks | 5/30/2006 | 1 | osteopenia | The 4th time I took it I experienced significant chest pains and my blood pressure went up to 190/106. I never had experienced high blood pressure. I went to ER and they ended up doing a heart catherization. My heart was in great shape. I decided not to do further tests for possible gall bladder or esophagitis problems after a friend commented it might be the Fosamax. I quit taking it and have not had any more of these symptoms. | F | 51 | 4 weeks | 3/10/2006 | 1 | Bone Loss (related to thyroid meds) | Initially swelling in the hands and also the ankles, difficulty in swallowing. General feeling of lethargy within 1 week of start date, stiffness in the joints and muscle aches. Over the last week extreme stiffness in the knee joint with swelling, difficulty in walking. | Since I couldn't reach my doctor, I was advised by the pharmacist to STOP immediately once I relayed the symptoms. I see my doctor tomorrow. It really makes you wonder how the heck they test these | F | 51 | 6 weeks | 7/26/2005 | 1 | osteopenia | Like many others, I did not attribute my aches and pains to Fosamax. I just thought it was part of getting older. I stopped taking it when I heard about the jaw problems and just decided to ask my doctor for something else when I see him next month....low and behold my aches and pains have decreased significantly. Before getting off it I had felt like I had gotten old all of a sudden! When I would get out of bed in the morning it would take a few steps to get fully upright. The bottoms of my feet had hurt for about a year. My wrists were tingly and hurt alot. I have also remember that about 6 months ago I had terrible jaw pain. I went to the dentist twice and never got any relief. He xrayed it and never found anything. He referred me to an oral surgeon but before I could go I felt something coming up through the skin. It felt like a splinter so I got some tweasers and pulled it out and it was a bony spur. The pain stopped immediately. I definitely think this was due to the F | I would not recommend taking this drug. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed, see your doctor. | F | 51 | 2 years | 7/18/2006 | 4 | osteopenia/mild | None | have taken fosamax for two years now and no noticeable symptoms but am aware of the potential side effects | F | 50 | 2 years | 9/14/2009 | 4 | DEXA Scan -2.5 | I had heartburn/reflux for a few years before starting Fosamax. I quit coffee all together for the GIRD. I was on 70mg Fosamax for a year and complained about 2 days of GIRD with every dose, despite changing my diet and a proton pump inhibitor (acid pump plugger)Now I'm on Actonel, 35mg. Same molecule, but 50% lower dose, Less GIRD. No new DEXA yet and its two years. | I had to find a female GYN before I could get a DEXA scan. I challenged my doc about why take this heartburn provolker, then he showed me the graph about just what -2.5 means. I started periods when I was 10 and stopped when I was 45. The early start and early stop is a bone loss risk factor. | F | 50 | 2 years | 12/5/2006 | 3 | Osteopenia | Seems to have caused morning loose stools, for over a year, until I discontinued it. Problem alleviated. Started again after 3 months as a double-check - sure 'nuff, the problem recurred. | Otherwise, it seems very beneficial to many people. However, several of my friends experienced gastric side effects. | F | 50 | 14 months | 7/25/2006 | 3 | bone loss | I have sever pain in both knees, did not have any knee pain before taking Fasomax. Now I have a hard time getting up or sitting down. I am very active but after taking Fasomax for 10 months I feel like I am 100 years old and can no longer do any of the exercises that I did on daily basis before Fasomax. I can not go up and down the stairs without lot of pain. Every bone and muscle in my body hurts all the time and my doctor can not find anything wrong. I have not stopped taking the medication, but after reading some of these comments I will try and stop taking it for a month to see if my knee gets any better. If I see any results after stopping the medication, I will post again. | I have not had any bone density test since taking Fosamax. I do not know if there is any improvement. | F | 50 | 2 years | 4/12/2006 | 2 | OSTEOPENIA | Terrible swelling in my ankles, so severe that I can not get my shoes on. Painful joints and aching muscles, feeling ill & in pain, very tired all of the time, lower back pain. I am going to the doctor in a few days and will ask her to take me off of it. My diuretic is not working at all and I am very concerned that fluid in building up around my heart like my ankles. | I really need to take this medication because of my family history but I just can't go on feeling terrible. I used to go to the gym 5 days a week, now I can't go at all. I have not a bone density test this year but am scheduled for one. | F | 50 | 365 days | 10/5/2005 |