Fosamax Side Effects

[Claire]

First 2 weeks on Fosamax was fine. The 3rd week I began horrible heartburn which lasted nearly into the next week when I again took the 4th dose. Heartburn, muscle spasms in my back and stomach ache continued. Week 5 I didn't take the pill because I had major diahreah which lasted a few days and I was nausous. So - week 6 is tomorrow - I feel absolutely fine now, but I don't know if I had the flu or was suffering from the meds. Don't know if I should take the pill tomorrow or not. My doc is on maternity leave.

[Jeane]

Claire wrote:

First 2 weeks on Fosamax was fine. The 3rd week I began horrible heartburn which lasted nearly into the next week when I again took the 4th dose. Heartburn, muscle spasms in my back and stomach ache continued. Week 5 I didn't take the pill because I had major diahreah which lasted a few days and I was nausous. So - week 6 is tomorrow - I feel absolutely fine now, but I don't know if I had the flu or was suffering from the meds. Don't know if I should take the pill tomorrow or not. My doc is on maternity leave.

I'm on my 6th week on Fosamax. My only sympton is diahreah. I'm concerned too and looking into alternatives.

[Lois Lane in DallasTX]

After one dose of Fosamax I had a stomach ache and the runs for 3 days. After doing research and seeing there aren't that many studies on long-term effects I am trying natural ways to increase bone growth---regular weight-lifting sessions, the treadmill and a healthier (mostly organic) diet. I'm too young to be on a drug like this for the rest of my life (53). Wish me luck.

[Elizabeth Chapman]

I have been on Fosamax since it first came on the market and have had no ill effects. However, with the latest information concerning some terrible side effects I wonder if I should now stop taking it. I certainly don't want this jaw deteriation.

[Shirley]

An endocrinologist has told my friend that you only receive benefits from Fosomax for 2 years and after that there is no benefit to be gained. I would like to find out if this is true for sure.

[Maria in florida]

I have been on fosamax for about three months and i've been having joint pain and muscle spasm specially my legs and stomach, i never related these simptoms until now. I am 58 and i think i will stop taking them. I read what the DR. was saying about Lawsuits and i could see why they do what they do. keep in touch.

[Must read]

I feel I have to repost that again as I do not understand why people take fosamax anyway. Hey there is other much safer medication that I would take at least to start with for like two years and then go from there ..

here is the statement from the other board:

Many women are now searching for a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy to alleviate the effects of osteoporosis. Current treatments on the market such as bisphosphonates and SERMs (estrogen-related therapies) have safety issues and focus primarily on slowing bone loss. Another existing treatment option is calcitonin, a naturally occurring hormone involved in calcium regulation and bone metabolism. In women who are more than five years beyond menopause calcitonin slows bone loss, increases spinal bone density and, according to recent studies, reduces the risk of spinal fractures. In recent trials, calcitonin demonstrated a 62 percent reduction in the incidence of new vertebral fractures for a subgroup of women over 75, one of the most significant reductions demonstrated by any current osteoporosis therapy. In addition, calcitonin is the only osteoporosis therapy that can reduce the significant bone pain often associated with osteoporosis. Because calcitonin is a peptide, it cannot be taken orally because it would be digested before it could exert its therapeutic effect. Currently calcitonin is available as an injection or nasal spray. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing FORTICAL, a unique nasal calcitonin product developed by Unigene Laboratories, and Unigene is also developing an oral form of the product.

[Must read]

maybe I should add that fortical is approved and available as of now ...

[S Abbas]

Calcitonin does not affect hip density and therefoe cannot prevent hip Fx --a majo concern in osteoporosis

Must read wrote:

I feel I have to repost that again as I do not understand why people take fosamax anyway. Hey there is other much safer medication that I would take at least to start with for like two years and then go from there ..
here is the statement from the other board:
Many women are now searching for a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy to alleviate the effects of osteoporosis. Current treatments on the market such as bisphosphonates and SERMs (estrogen-related therapies) have safety issues and focus primarily on slowing bone loss. Another existing treatment option is calcitonin, a naturally occurring hormone involved in calcium regulation and bone metabolism. In women who are more than five years beyond menopause calcitonin slows bone loss, increases spinal bone density and, according to recent studies, reduces the risk of spinal fractures. In recent trials, calcitonin demonstrated a 62 percent reduction in the incidence of new vertebral fractures for a subgroup of women over 75, one of the most significant reductions demonstrated by any current osteoporosis therapy. In addition, calcitonin is the only osteoporosis therapy that can reduce the significant bone pain often associated with osteoporosis. Because calcitonin is a peptide, it cannot be taken orally because it would be digested before it could exert its therapeutic effect. Currently calcitonin is available as an injection or nasal spray. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing FORTICAL, a unique nasal calcitonin product developed by Unigene Laboratories, and Unigene is also developing an oral form of the product.

[Ohno]

Well, I am certainly glad I came here before taking my first dose of Fosamax. My doc gave me samples yesterday. My mom freaked out and said there is something wrong with Fosamax, it is causing jaw bone deterioration. I said What?? No way, he wouldn't have given it to me. She said check it out before you take it. Now, reading all of y'all's comments, I am not taking it. I already have osteoporosis at age 44, due to having a total hysterectomy at age 30, and the idiot doctors I used to go to would not put me on hormone replacement therapy for longer than one year. I also have a condition called spastic paraplegia, which causes severe joint pain and excruciating muscle spasms... and nerve damage which causes IBS - so I certainly do not need MORE stomach problems. There is no way I am taking this stuff until I find out more about it... and if what I find is more bad than good, forget it. I have enough problems already! Thanks for all the input. You have certainly helped me. No one knows better than the people who actually take the meds - even though everyone reacts differently to a drug, if the percentage of people who have bad side effects is too high, I am not risking any more pain and suffering in my life by taking it.

[lulu]

I have been taking Fosamax for a few months now and am beginning to have stomach pain in the middle of the night which is relieved by taking "Tums". I have also had some trouble with diarrhea lately. I, too, am wondering if it related to Fosamax. I take one asprin a day and wonder if that contributes to the stomach trouble. I'm also taking Mobic for arthritis and am thinking it could make matter worse.

[beth alexander]

am very pleased to hear that there is a mmedication that i can take besides fosamax. am 75 yrs. old & have been taking fosmax for 1 yr.

Must read wrote:

I feel I have to repost that again as I do not understand why people take fosamax anyway. Hey there is other much safer medication that I would take at least to start with for like two years and then go from there ..
here is the statement from the other board:
Many women are now searching for a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy to alleviate the effects of osteoporosis. Current treatments on the market such as bisphosphonates and SERMs (estrogen-related therapies) have safety issues and focus primarily on slowing bone loss. Another existing treatment option is calcitonin, a naturally occurring hormone involved in calcium regulation and bone metabolism. In women who are more than five years beyond menopause calcitonin slows bone loss, increases spinal bone density and, according to recent studies, reduces the risk of spinal fractures. In recent trials, calcitonin demonstrated a 62 percent reduction in the incidence of new vertebral fractures for a subgroup of women over 75, one of the most significant reductions demonstrated by any current osteoporosis therapy. In addition, calcitonin is the only osteoporosis therapy that can reduce the significant bone pain often associated with osteoporosis. Because calcitonin is a peptide, it cannot be taken orally because it would be digested before it could exert its therapeutic effect. Currently calcitonin is available as an injection or nasal spray. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing FORTICAL, a unique nasal calcitonin product developed by Unigene Laboratories, and Unigene is also developing an oral form of the product.

[beth alexander]

my body is not happy taking fosamx. some days are not good like feeling ill to my stomach, which holds me back from doing things i enjoy. am very healthy & do not take any medical drugs of any kind. am just now on the edge of gettin osp. so i would like to have something to take for osp.to continue my good health.

[Cheryl R]

Am I the only one who has had good results on Fosamax without side effects? I have been taking it 2 ys now every Sat morning, plus 1200-1500 mg calcium with D every single day. I now have improved scores in both hip & spine. I began at age 50 with osteopena & have always had a severe calcium deficiency, I'm not ready to give up yet. Even with bone spurs in my neck, I have also began a work routine at Curves a min of 4 days a wk. I know that also helps strengthen bones too. I have only experienced very minor indigestion 10 minutes after swallowing, but it goes away the next hr after I have had my breakfast.

[Cheryl R]

I meant to say that my indegestion is brief -it occurs 10 minutes after I swallow FOSAMAX, & disappears after my breakfast 1 hr later

[Mark Gallaher_ DDS]

Cheryl R wrote:

Am I the only one who has had good results on Fosamax without side effects? I have been taking it 2 ys now every Sat morning, plus 1200-1500 mg calcium with D every single day. I now have improved scores in both hip & spine. I began at age 50 with osteopena & have always had a severe calcium deficiency, I'm not ready to give up yet. Even with bone spurs in my neck, I have also began a work routine at Curves a min of 4 days a wk. I know that also helps strengthen bones too. I have only experienced very minor indigestion 10 minutes after swallowing, but it goes away the next hr after I have had my breakfast.

No, you aren't the only one I have a lot of patients who are taking fosamax without significant problems.

On forums like this one you will mostly hear from folks who can't take it for one reason or another. Research the drug and you will find it has a range of side effects just like all drugs do. The more popular a drug is, the more folks go on it, and subsequently the number of folks who experience the unpleasant side effects go up. That's who you hear from, not the majority of patients who experience few if any of these problems.

[more side effects]

Jaw problems is not the only side effect this drug has .. in fact it looks like this drug does exactly the opposite of what it should do: reducing fractures!

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/reprint/90/3...

Its time to take this druf off the market..

[more side effects]

PS: Alendronate and Fosamax is the same

http://www.medicinenet.com/alendronate/articl...

[Janet Dietrich]

Have been taking Fosamax for about 4 years - have arthritis in my jaws and have temporal mandibular disorder - sometimes use mouthpiece for pain - now with jaw death scare about Fosamax I am having doubts about taking the medication.
Any comments would be appreciated.

[ladybug]

I have taken Fosamax for two years with absolutely no side effects. My osteoporosis is getting better.