Alendronate and Back Pain: What Users Say

• Nit...
• June 10, 2015

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "MD prescribed Fosamax. Took first dose and two days later woke up with a severe headache, bloating, gas, and terrible nausea. By the time I got home from work, I had severe back pain, joint pain, and a headache. The bloating was almost intolerable. The next day, nausea was worse and the headache continued with no relief even after OTC pain meds. I will take Calcium and Vitamin D instead."

• sun...
• June 17, 2013

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I started taking Fosamax for Osteoporosis. I had low back pain and body aches the first week. In the second week, I had severe headaches that lasted over two days. Now it's a dull headache. I'm unsure about this medication and worried about the side effects. I hope the effects get better not worse."

• San...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 29, 2018

For Osteoporosis "Was on alendronate for nearly 13 years. From 2004 to April 2017. Suffered back pain and hip pain. Had several bone density scans each time. It was recommended I stay on the drug. Then in 2016, I got out of the shower, but my weight on my leg to reach the towel. My leg went from under me. I fell backwards back into the shower cubicle. Broke my right femur, and in the fall, also broke left ankle. Was in the hospital for 3 weeks and rehab for 4 weeks. In April 2017, I went for a check-up. I was told it was most likely the drug that had caused the break. Due to being on them too long, as they can have the opposite effect if taken long-term. No one ever told me this! If anyone is thinking of starting on this drug, please, please get advice first. If I knew what I know now, I would never have taken it."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I took alendronate once a week for seven weeks for osteoporosis. I discontinued taking alendronate because I had every side effect listed on the drug interactions. I went to the doctor for severe upper back pain that radiated to my chest muscles. It felt like pleurisy. An EKG was negative. Then, a few weeks later, I developed a UTI. I haven’t had one in over 20 years. For the past three weeks, I have had intermittent diarrhea with bloating, heartburn, and an upset stomach. I read that the half-life is as long as you take the medication. I’m hoping I will start feeling better soon. I will never take this drug again."

• sbc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I'm 47, diagnosed with osteoporosis due to early menopause. After 2 doses (2 weeks) of this drug, I had hip pain that made it impossible to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. I now have hip and back pain so bad, I can't lift my legs to dress myself. I'm terrified someone will bump into me because any muscle contraction takes my breath away. I will not take another dose. I took my pill on Mondays (as directed), and both Mondays were filled with GERD-like chest burning for most of the day, but I powered through thinking I was saving my bones. I used to walk 2-3 miles every day in the weeks prior to starting alendronate (without pain). I feel like I've aged 40 years in 2 weeks. I pray the pain ends soon. Scary medication!"

• GEB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had horrible side effects with Fosamax as well. Shortly after I started taking it, I was having a lot of back pain. Then I started feeling sick to my stomach and dead tired, had no energy at all, I could barely get off the couch. I followed the instructions to a T as prescribed by my physician and pharmacy. I was tired for almost a month, and after which time I spoke to my pharmacist about my side effects, and she recommended I talk to my doctor about switching to Risedronate, which I did. He wrote a script for it, so I started it, and by the afternoon my thighs hurt so bad I could hardly walk. It was almost like it attacked my muscles or something. I spoke to my pharmacist again and told her what was happening, and she said that I was having side effects that may or may not go away. So between myself, my husband, and my pharmacist, we decided it was not worth what I was going through. This was two years ago, and to this day I still have muscle/bone pain in my thighs!! Worst drug ever!!!"

• Ret...
• August 30, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took one dose of this hideous drug. Within 24 hours, I started experiencing horrible hip pain, then shoulder and back pain. I have been unable to go about my daily duties because I am overcome with pain and fatigue. It has been a week today. When will this be out of my system?"

• Pen...
• November 21, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took 1 pill. I followed the instructions. It has been 10 days after 1 pill that I am STILL throwing up. My esophagus is raw. My stomach pain and bloating are horrible. Nothing helps. Severe headaches too. I wonder if my stomach is bleeding. I am at risk for that since bleeding ulcers at 19. I also have horrible back pain and pain in the hip bone. I wonder who would make a medicine so awful that not living just to get away from the side effects would be a relief! Never ever again."

• Ken...
• April 2, 2017

For Osteoporosis "Doctor prescribed 70 mg Alendronate weekly for pre-osteoporosis. I also have a compressed disc in my lower back causing chronic back pain for 30 years, which was being controlled by Naprosyn (anti-inflammatory). After 3 doses of Alendronate, I am bedridden with severe lower back pain. The pain is so bad I am now on morphine. I haven't talked to my doctor yet, but the hospital ER doctor/pharmacist said there aren't indications that Alendronate can cause such severe pain after taking 3 weekly doses. It seems to me there are others having severe side effects like mine within a few days or weeks of starting the medication. Please let me know if you have, thank you."

• DEE...
• June 6, 2019

For Osteoporosis "My wife started taking alendronate 70 mg tablet once a week for four weeks. After one week, she started having stomach pain. Saw her doctor after the fourth week with back pain, stomach pain, leg pain, and discomfort in one eye. She is no longer on this drug, and I don't think it should be prescribed. There are other products on the market for osteoporosis, and I will not have her take those either. My wife now uses a walker and was very active before. I wish I had researched this drug prior to her taking it. Lesson learned. Stay away from this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I am 55 and have osteoporosis (in my hip). My doctor pushed me to take alendronate (Fosamax), and within a few hours of taking ONE pill, I had the worst back pain I've ever experienced. The spasms lasted for hours. Over-the-counter pain meds did nothing. I had to get some prescription drugs. I don't want to try 'getting used' to this poison, and I refuse to take this again. So now my doctor is pushing Tylmos (daily injection... oh joy!), and I am so afraid to get long-term (and even short-term) nasty side effects. I believe the women who write these reviews-why don't the doctors? Reduction in fracture risk has not been shown, with current data on this drug, to even decrease significantly. At my wit's end and looking for non-medical solutions."

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2017

For Osteoporosis "I have osteoporosis in my left hip. My doctor prescribed alendronate. I took it for 4 weeks, the 2nd day I started having and continue to have hip, back, arm, and leg pains. I did not have any pain before the meds. I went back to the doctor, he said my side effects were not normal and to keep trying for 4 more weeks. I have not continued it, I see no reason to continue something that has only caused me intense pain. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but I hurt all the time now. I exercise by walking 2+ miles every day, it is helping, but if I miss a day, the pain is twice as bad again. I do not want to see or even think about what another 4 weeks would do to my body."

• Cha...
• August 22, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I started taking Alendronate 70 mg pill as prescribed. The next morning, I woke up with severe heartburn and belching. Then I started feeling the urge to vomit. All I could bring up was phlegm and a foamy liquid. I had a very bad, acidic taste in my mouth. I finally called my doctor and was told to stop taking the Alendronate and stay on a clear liquid diet. My joints hurt, my jawbone and teeth hurt, back pain, and severe indigestion. After 6 hours, I was still vomiting. My doctor prescribed Zofran to calm my stomach. I started feeling better, so I tried eating. It's been 5 days, and I'm still having indigestion after eating and pain in my feet and hands. I hope this nasty medicine is out of my system soon!"

• Qua...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I have been on alendronate for 3 months for osteopenia. I take 70 mg once a week. The first two weeks were fine, then the side effects came with a vengeance! Severe back pain that lasts for days, ever-present thigh pain, ear pain, dry mouth, eye pain, headaches, and an annoying fatigue. I plan on finishing up the third month, then calling my doctor. Though right now I don't think there's anything she can say that would convince me to continue taking this."

• Mal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 12, 2016

For Osteoporosis "My husband is on alendronate (Fosamax), expensive. Severe low back pain, bloating and gas, and ankle pain did not connect the dots. Pain goes on since last April, now I have asked him to stop. Since today, I have to wait and see. I myself have severe jaw pain, took Fosamax in those days. Heartburn continues, though I stopped a long time ago. I take chondroitin sodium. My bone reading is from osteoporosis to osteopenia now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Three hours after taking the first pill, I had severe chest and back pain, some nausea, and indigestion. My chest felt painful, and the pain lasted throughout the night and early the next morning, however, by the afternoon, I felt better. Two days later, I have minimal chest pain, and the back pain has lessened, but the indigestion is still lingering. I hope these symptoms do not last."

• Cha...
• December 19, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I have been using alendronate (generic for Fosamax) for 1 year and 6 months. I have now stopped using it because I've been having severe lower back pain, also in my hips, legs, and knees. The pain was so bad it woke me up out of a dead sleep. I will tell my doctor on my next appointment. I am hoping that after a while the pain will stop."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Do NOT take this drug!!! Alendronate 70 mg once a week. I didn't have any side effects until today. Yesterday, I took my 3rd dose. Today, I can hardly hold this phone. Both my forearms ache, I have a terrible headache, my back and hips hurt so bad I can barely get up, and I am having muscle cramps in both shins and feet. And the tendons behind my knee are so tight I can see them bulging out. Both my shoulders hurt, and I'm having muscle cramps in my sides and abdomen. I'm scared after reading all these reviews and going straight to my doctor in the morning."

• Al6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and told that I had to take medication. I took a weekly dose of alendronate for 8 weeks. After the first month, I had some back and leg pain, but did not connect it to the medication. By the 6th week, I was noticeably limping and stopped walking my dog. I hurt everywhere, especially in my hips, and concluded that it must be due to the medication. I left a message for my doctor and stopped taking the medication. Within 2 weeks, I was noticeably better."

• Sni...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I have been on alendronate for almost 5 years. I have had back pain, and I’ve had undiagnosed stomach issues for three years. After reading some of these reviews, I wonder if it’s related to the alendronate. I have just sent my doctor a message about getting off of it. My mother does take a Prolia shot twice a year, and her bone density actually increased, and she has no side effects from that."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Joint pain, back pain, involuntary jerking, swelling, thinning hair, constant in pain."