Alendronate and Nausea: What Users Say

• Anj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I reluctantly began Fosamax due to my worsening osteopenia. I was fine after the first dose last week, no side effects at all. However, after this week's dose, I’ve had SEVERE pain in my chest. It’s been 4 days since I’ve taken it, and I still can’t eat because it hurts so much to swallow. Not to mention the nausea. I can only sip water, and even that hurts going down. I’m taking a generic Pepcid and Rolaids to help with this unbearable indigestion. I’m praying this drug hasn’t done permanent damage to my esophagus. This drug should be taken off the market."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2011

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "My bone density improved while taking Fosamax. However, I had nausea, intense heartburn, gained 20 pounds, and had to start taking prescription stomach medications due to gastric problems. Finally, I stopped taking it, lost 20 pounds, felt much better, and could eat again, but my doctor is now telling me I have lost significant bone mass since stopping this medication. Will now try Atelvia with calcium supplements."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I’ve been on Fosamax for 3 weeks, taking it once a week, on a Sunday. The first week I was constipated and bloated. That lasted most of the week. I started my second round on Sunday. By Monday afternoon, I started having joint and muscle pain. By late in the afternoon, my knees were swollen, and I had difficulty walking and climbing stairs. By Thursday, I was feeling back to normal. This past Sunday, I took my third pill. The next day, I had joint and muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, headache, nausea, fever, and chills. I’ve decided to stop the medication and take coral calcium and a vitamin D supplement."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 21, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Prevention of Osteoporosis "At age 47, my OB-GYN informed me I had 'osteopenia' - the beginnings of osteoporosis. 'It's hereditary,' the doc said after I divulged in my medical Q&A the 'fact' that my mother, then 67, had been diagnosed with osteoporosis. He prescribed Fosamax. Though skeptical (I was so young!), I picked it up at the pharmacy. Two weeks went by before I decided to just go ahead and take it. I took it at around 9:00 in the morning of the 4th of July. I had guests arriving later that day. Around 10:00 a.m., my daughter and I walked several blocks to a 4th of July parade in town. While walking, I felt a strange chemical-like cold/chilling sensation migrating up from my left knee into my femur. I remember thinking, how odd, it's as if it's actually beginning to work - almost instantly?? By 3:00 that afternoon, when guests were due to arrive, I began to feel feverish, weak, and exhausted. I had a 102-degree temperature, severe chills, and nausea. Needless to say, I knew the Fosamax was to blame. I threw the remaining pills away and am SO glad I did! Fosamax for 'mild osteopenia' (I now contend there is no such thing)."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I have been having the worst abdominal pain/bloating/constipation for the last week after just taking one 70mg Fosamax. Also, muscle aches, chills, and the worst headache ever. I am 66, a retired RN, and know a bit about medications. I took the pill Monday morning following all the directions and restrictions. After 24 hours and no side effects, I thought, 'hey, I am one of the lucky ones,' and put it out of my mind. Tuesday afternoon I started having severe bloating and nausea. That night proceeded in a nightmare. I had horrible cramping, body aches, headache, vomiting. It is now Saturday, 5 days after taking the pill and I have finally made the connection. I still am suffering from horrible bloating, stomach cramps, body aches, and severe headache. I've gone from thinking it was food poisoning, to a blockage, to a parasite, to finally putting the pieces together and realizing it's this awful medication."

• Ry1...
• May 13, 2016

For Osteoporosis "Alendronate 70mg once a week for 5 weeks. Started feeling very sick. Bad abdominal pain, heartburn, extreme nausea, feel like vomiting. Horrible pains in left thigh. Weird feeling in throat. Headaches daily. Bloated feeling. Abdominal pains every time I eat and hunger pains extreme. Just total overall sick feeling. Went to ER. Ultrasound fine. Gastro set up appointment for upper GI. Hoping ulcer wasn't formed or any other damage. Hoping this pill will get out of system soon. Cannot handle feeling nauseous all the time. Will never take this pill again. Input?"

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "I was asymptomatic but deemed high risk for fracture since diagnosed with osteoporosis. I respect some who’ve actually benefited from Fosamax. However, this has been a drug nightmare with symptoms similar to others here on this site. First week taking weekly Fosamax 70 followed next day by nonstop diarrhea for remainder of the week. Second week dose 2 had ongoing diarrhea, chills, nausea, fatigue, and debilitating cramps as if punched repeatedly in the stomach. To my FP’s irritation, I strongly refused further treatment after 2 weeks, stopping prior to the 3rd dose. Also declined Prolia injectable as an alternative as it must be followed by oral biophosphonates after injections are discontinued. I’m still dealing with diarrhea and fatigue impacting the quality of life. Please do extensive reading on side effects before pursuing Fosamax or other bone health drugs. I’m now pursuing a more natural option through exercise, nutrition, vitamins D3, calcium, K2, and fish oil."

• 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!!!"

• Hor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 10, 2017

For Osteoporosis "Nausea... Headaches... Sticks in my throat... and sours in my stomach. Cramps with joint pains. Carpal tunnel from my shoulders down my arms. Cramps in my chest, hands, arms, legs, and feet. I started taking it because I was hurting from osteoporosis. Now I am hurting from taking this drug. Vitamins D and calcium would have been the answer, but doctors get paid to push this medication on their patients."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2018

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took the once-weekly pill for eight weeks. My quality of life is still suffering three months later. After eating, I become nauseous and vomit at least twice a day. Bone pain, jaw pain, dental issues (never had before), excruciating heartburn and indigestion, and an overall sickly feeling rounds out my symptoms. Stay away from this toxic medicine!!"

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "My bone density test said I had osteopenia, so my doc prescribed weekly Fosamax. I took the first pill, carefully following instructions to stay upright and no food for 30 minutes. Felt fine until two days later I couldn’t get a deep breath without coughing. Every time I talked, the coughing started. My throat felt like there was something lodged inside. I got a cold sore on my lip and three little sore spots on the roof of my mouth. Took my second pill the next week. Felt like throwing up, the coughing still constant and developed the worst headache. Went to the doctor the next day, diagnosing me with acid reflux and to stop taking Fosamax ‘for now.’ If I ever feel better, I’m not interested in going through this again."

• mks...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was taking this medication once a week for about 6 months and started experiencing nausea, heartburn, loss of energy, and immense pain in my upper body, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and ribcage. I stopped taking this medication. It has been 3 weeks since I took the last dose, and my neck and shoulders still hurt."

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took my first 70 mg yesterday morning. I didn't want to start this medicine, but I got scared when I woke up, and my neck felt like it shattered like a branch breaking off, I could hear it and feel it. I already had a neck plate at C5 and C6. Since taking just one pill yesterday morning, I am miserable. I have had severe nausea since, and I'm so bloated even at 106 pounds. I'm so fatigued and have always had severe bone pain because I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. I'm not going to take it anymore after reading all the reviews. I'm scared that more side effects will show up after taking one pill. I'm going to start back at the gym, using the treadmill and light weights. I'm 63, and I'm pretty mobile considering all my health issues. Also, I think I have long COVID. During my second COVID, I could barely walk because of severe joint pain from it, or it's possible I'm doomed from one Moderna vaccine. I never finished my vaccines and won't."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Started to take this in August 2021 - October 2021. I’d take a tablet every Sunday, only to find I’d wake up with terrible morning sickness, but it would last all day and night for 7 days. Just thought it was my body adjusting. I couldn’t sleep and would wake up every 2 hours due to dehydration and the need to drink water. I had cramps in the back of my lower legs, heart racing, called the doctor again saying I really feel unwell. Told to stop taking them. But my hair is thinning, and I still feel so poorly. Not taken them for 4 weeks and will never take again. I’m tired and just feel so flat."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2025

Fosamax (alendronate) for Osteoporosis "After just one dose, seven hours later, I had a fever, chills, nausea, fatigue, and stomach issues. The second day, I was tired and chilled in the evening with bone pain in my back and also the third morning. Very achy. I am considering not taking any more doses."

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "The side effects were awful: nausea, dark stools, constipation, swollen joints, and pain in side and back. I am refusing to take any more at this time."