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 Date added. 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 |
| 4 | Osteopenia | After bone density test at age 51 indicated osteopenia, my GYN prescribed weekly Foxamax, After 2 years, my bone density improved. I did not experience any negative side effects until recently, I have had severe itching around waist, back, elbows and back of knees. I don't know if this is related to Fosamax. I hadn't been aware of this site but after reading so many negative side effects, I am stopping Fosamax. I will continue Calcium, Vitamin D, Fish Oil and exercise. | F | 55 | 5 years 70 MG 1X W | 3/6/2011 | 1 | doctor's recommendation | swelling & tenderness of hands/feet, bodily aches & pains, fatigue; eventual jaw pain & swelling of lower legs | It is now 8 months later, and I have been diagnosed with Scleroderma. I was in perfect health before I took Fosamax. Is this just coincidence? | F | 58 | 4 weeks 70 mg 1X W | 3/6/2011 | 3 | Osteoporosis/Osteopenia | I took Fosamax monthly for approximately 7 years when diagnosed with osteoporosis in left femur area. Subsequent Bone Density tests showed improvement (osteoporosis to osteopenia) in one year and scans remained stable with some slight improvement each scan. When spontaneous fractures of the femur were noted in medical journals, I discontinued Fosamax for one year (to take a break). I decided to resume treatment, this time with once monthly Boniva. Recently, I developed significant discomfort mid-chest with some feeling of fullness to the throat area. I had no stomach pain, no regurgitation of acid. Because the discomfort was happening more than two or three times a week, I started Pepcid 15 mg. twice a day (per doctor's orders), as I'm sure I've developed an esophageal issue as the result of treatment. I did not renew my March Boniva and plan to discontinue any of these drugs in the future. After all these years without any esophageal problems, I have now developed this issue. | F | 68 | 7 years 70 mg 1X W | 3/4/2011 | 1 | Dr.'s recommendation. | Severe weakness, joint pain, over-all aches and pains. | Writing this for my wife of 33 years. She passed away from severe internal bleeding Jan. 3 2011. She was fine until she started taking this poison. She started taking it the last week of October. She stopped six weeks later, right after Thanksgiving, when she was too weak to get up from the couch. Christmas Eve, she couldn't even speak without whispering. Jan. 3, we made a trip to ER. Her blood levels were extremely low. During the preparation to give here blood, she died. Ladies, have your Doctor take this rat poison themselves for six months or so before you do. This drug should be taken off the market. | M | 53 | 6 weeks 70 1X W | 2/27/2011 | 1 | Osteopenia | First I had flu-like symptoms, with the bones in my eye & face hurting, but it didn't last long. Then I experienced severe debilitating pain in my elbows, to the point that I couldn't pick up a cup, or even grasp anything. I quit taking it 2 weeks ago and am already feeling better and the elbow pain is almost gone. Haven't talked to my doctor yet, but I think I'll try to beat the osteopenia with exercise & more calcium. | Before reading this forum, I didn't know that pain was a side effect. It was really scary, and I was afraid I was permanently damaged. | F | 55 | 6 weeks 75mg 1X W | 2/26/2011 | 1 | osteopenia | I have been on the generic form of Fosamax for over a year. I have started having debilitating pain and stiffness in my knees and hips when awake and that actually wakes me at night. I am wondering if this drug could be the cause. I am only 56 and am otherwise healthy. I am taking myself off this drug after reading all these posts that sound so similar. I used to love walking and now can't get around the block. I have been to 3 doctors and not 1 of them suggested that I may be experiencing a side effect of this drug! | F | 56 | 18 months 1X W | 2/18/2011 | 1 | osteopenia | Severe pain in right ankle with swelling, then searing pain in right elbow, next was painful locking of right knee into straight position, and my right hip snapped out of place it felt with severe pain. I was unable to get out of a chair, bend my knee, and had ongoing pain, which was not usual for me. | My Dr.s office has not even bothered to return my calls re the meds they put me on which infuriates me. The pharmacist advised me to stop immediately! | F | 52 | 2 months 20 1X W | 2/17/2011 | 1 | recently diagnosed osteoporosis | Took as prescribed first thing in a.m. Waited an hour before eating breakfast. Then went about my daily activities which included a long walk in the park. No issues. HOWEVER, as I went to bed and lay my head down on the pillow I IMMEDIATELY felt some "bubbling up in the throat." I added two pillows to prop my head up which eased the acid situation. I couldn't sleep and began to notice PAIN throughout every bone in my body! In the morning following the initial dosage I felt bloated and flatulent and weird in the throat area (difficulty swallowing). Had slight diarrhea on first bowel movement, which continued throughout the day. Hurt all over, which was depressing as my doctor suggested this Rx was going to be a permanent fixture in my life! Are you kidding! I QUIT AFTER ONE TABLET! FOSAMAX IS A DANGEROUS DRUG!!!! MY DOCTOR WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS FROM ME! | 67 | 1 days 1X W | 2/17/2011 | 1 | osteopenia spine | I took Fosamax for the first time on Sunday morning. By afternoon my thoracic/lumbar spine was aching. By Monday I had significant upper body pain which became unbearable for about an hr. then happened again on Tuesday. I was unable to sleep Tuesday night because of the pain which is somewhat better on Wed. but I do not plan to take another dose of this med. My ribs hurt significantly in my back constantly.I just hope this pain ends soon. I keep trying to "stretch" my trunk section to relieve the pain. I don't know what osteoporosis feels like but this doesn't seem worth it to me. Reading all these comments has really helped. Otherwise I might have gone to the ER thinking I was horribly ill. Good Luck to all who took this med and are trying to get back to normal. | F | 61 | 1 times 70 1X W | 2/9/2011 | 1 | osteopenia | I have gained 10-15 lbs in the last few months and the only difference in my life is the generic form of Fosomax. I also have been experiencing unexplained pain in my lower back and hips, wrists and thumbs and shoulders. It just dawned on me tonight to research this drug - as of now it looks like it may be the culprit. I will not be taking anymore !!!!! | F | 61 | 5 months 70 mg 1X W | 2/1/2011 | 1 | osteopenia | I have gained 10-15 lbs in the last few months and the only difference in my life is the generic form of Fosomax. I also have been experiencing unexplained pain in my lower back and hips, wrists and thumbs and shoulders. It just dawned on me tonight to research this drug - as of now it looks like it may be the culprit. I will not be taking anymore !!!!! | F | 61 | 5 months 70 mg 1X W | 2/1/2011 | 1 | low bone density | Sudden onset hand and wrists pain | Took this for 3 weeks and presented in third week with extreme hand and wrists pain. I had difficulty driving, holding a pen, and typing on the keyboard. I have been off of the Fosamax for 13 days and the Dr has put me on a six day blast of prednisone. He took x-rays and bloodwork. I am better today but not my normal self yet. My hands feel like icy hot and my wrists fill sprained. | F | 48 | 3 weeks 1X day | 1/26/2011 | 1 | Spinal Stenosis and loss height | Numb leg for 3days Numbness gone-had back xray showed spinal stenosis & slippage of vertebrae. My mother had this and osteoporis bad. I have lost about 3 inches in height. So Dr put me on fosomax after measuring vertebrae on xray. I started having right hip discomfort/pain in morning. It was like the joint was unstable for the first hour or 2 when I got up. Stopped taking it and it is almost back to normal. It started to get better first or second week without the med. | I do take calcium and extra Vit D after they documented low level of Vit D. Won't take the medicine again. Too many complications. And I am a Registered Nurse! | F | 63 | 8 weeks 1X W | 1/19/2011 | 1 | osteoporosis | Severe stomach pains for the past year on and off and progressively got more often (5-6 times per week), severe constipation and bulging in my fingers... | There is NO relief with my pain which is mild to severe to excruciating (best way to describe it is a waving and burning). There is nothing I can do other than wait it out. It can take anywhere from 1/2 hr up to 6 hours. I get very little sleep as it wakes me up before it even gets bad. My husband unfortunately doesn't get much sleep listening to me cry and move around from the bed, to the toilet and the floor.......I have been through numerous tests and lots of money, and every test was negative. It's a nightmare and just want to die when it reaches its peak... | F | 59 | 3 years 70mg 1X W | 1/13/2011 | 1 | I was prescribed Fosamax generic for Osteopenia. The side effects of this drug are as bad as any with arthritis. I hurt from head to toes.I quit taking it in Nov and still have pain. I have pain in my legs,hips,back,groin area and was having severe pain in my chest that almost sent me to the ER. I also had to have family member pull me up out of a sitting position and could barely walk up my steps. The pain in my chest would last three to four hrs. I did not know that all of my other pain was due to the Fosamax until I started researching the chest pain and a light bulb went off. I have been off of it for 2 mos. and still having severe back pain. I went to the urgent care this weekend with sever back pain. Just wish I knew how long it is going to last. So sick of being in pain. | I have told everyone I know not to take this med and to tell anyone they know.It is definatley poison. | F | 54 | 8 months 70 1X W | 1/4/2011 | 4 | osteoporosis/broke hip | No side effects but have decided to take myself off the medication because of the all negative findings. I also take calcium, D, etc. and HOPE that this will suffice along with exercise. I am worried because I haven't gone thru menopause yet when I know bone loss is more rapid. I hope I am doing the right thing. | F | 49 | 5 years 1X W | 1/1/2011 | 1 | Refused to take. | My former doctor was pushing this drug to me. I refused to take it. People who want to explore natural cures without those side effects can try to take calicum, vitamin k2, magnesium, and strontium. Just don't take calicum and strontium at the same time since they compete with each other for absorption. Take strontium 3 hours after your last meal in the evening. That's what I am going to do. Good luck to all! | F | 54 | 0 days 0 1X day | 12/26/2010 | 1 | Osteopenia | I developed stress fractures in both femurs. Had rods inserted in each femur to prevent complete fractures. This is not a side effect but a complication. | Dexascans do not show bone quality, only density. Taking bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, alendronate sodium, etc.) for longer than 3-5 years puts a person at risk for this complication - bone fractures instead of strength. The FDA has issued new warnings about this problem. I am one of more than 350 patients who have reported such problems. How many more are experiencing this, we do not know. I do not recommend taking this drug unless you have osteoporosis and then only for a few years. | F | 64 | 8 years 70 mg 1X W | 12/25/2010 | 1 | osteoporosis | Developed sudden and severe pain in thumb joints and in right hip. Am a professor and could barely drive to school or open a door to a classroom. Went to doctor who declared I must have osteoarthritis--until x-rays showed none. Asked whether problem was Fosamax but doctor doubted it. Eventually, was fitted with casts for night and thumb splints for day. Re-read label after hands got worse. Decided to stop taking drug on my own. After many months entirely off the Fosamax (I had given up hope of recovering), use of hands gradually (almost imperceptibly) came back to near-normal. One year later, even though we've entered the severe cold/snowy winter season, I now have zero hip pain and zero pain in/full use of hands; I am ecstatic. I am on this site for the sole purpose of telling ANYONE with painful side effects to immediately cease the use of this drug. I experienced a year of heartache and inability to cook, grade papers, open doors, or drive normally--all thanks, I deepl | Use your best instincts. If in pain, please STOP TAKING THIS. | F | 56 | 2 months 1X W | 12/22/2010 | 1 | osteoporosis of spine | I did not read the literature that came with ALENDRONATE (generic of FOSAMAX) nor I read this web site. I just took it and followed instructions of my doctor. I took the first tablet last Sunday before breakfast. The first side effect I experienced is a slight diarhia (3 times in the morning). Then, by 3:00 am, I experienced pain in my body. I thought the pain will subside in the morning but it didn't. It got worse. I could not get up without the help of my husband. He tried to help me by pulling my hands but the pain was such that it won't work. He was able to make me sit up by pushing my back up. I was only able to walk with the aid of a cane. I walked in so small steps and so very slow. I became disabled overnight. I went to the doctor Monday afternoon. He prescribed pain killer but I did not take it. I was afraid that if I don't feel the pain, I might fracture more bones. At that time, I was not sure yet what caused my excruciating pains, the fosamax or a frac | It made me a disabled person for more than 2 days. | F | 65 | 1 days 70mg 1X W | 12/22/2010 |