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1.9 Overall Rating

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Ease of Use

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Most voted positive review

55 People found this comment helpful

Before taking this medication, my knees and legs were in constant, extreme pain. After a year of this (no side effects), I have a small amount of occasional pain. I believe alendronate has been very beneficial. I am thrilled with my successful outcome!

Most voted negative review

8 People found this comment helpful

My doctor prescribed this drug for osteoporosis. I took it 3 times, once per week, and then stopped. My doctor thinks I'm still taking it, but I'm not....because from the beginning, I just "KNEW" this stuff was POISON. And after reading the many, many reviews about the HORRIFIC side-effects of this CRAP, I will NEVER even touch this stuff, EVER again. Someone should start a class-action suit!!...

Shared reviews and ratings

Pat | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
3/15/2024
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I started taking Alendronite 7wks ago. I immediately experienced nausea and heartburn, never had issues with either before. I also have severe itching on my lower legs that kept me awake at night. It didn't occur to me that it was related to this med until I researched every other possibility. I apply Benedryl lotion a couple times a day to get relief. Hair loss had also increased. There's no way I'm going to continue taking, and hesitant to try anything else! My hope is that I won't continue to have side effects after discontinuing.Read More Read Less

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YM | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months |
1/26/2024
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Had a stabbing pain in my left thigh, chills, drop in blood pressure along with a rash. Took this med for about 4 months and it sent me to the ER twice. Blurred vision, brain fog, skin tingling and swelling around my mouth. Took myself off when my hair started to break off.

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jpmbkt | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/14/2024
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I would like to add to my last post about this medication causing nausea and headaches - now I have pain in my upper right side gums. I wish to goodness sake I never started this medication. I had none of these problems before this medication began 3 months ago.

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jpmbkt | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/12/2024
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking this medication for 3 months and the last 3 weeks after my dosage I have experienced severe nausea, along with headaches and constipation. I finally figured out this must be from the medication since I have never had nausea problems in my life - even with 6 pregnancies I never had nausea. Will stop this mediation now!!!!!

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Nestor | 65-74 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/13/2023
Condition: Osteoporosis in Male Patient
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Horrible medication, my mistake, I didn't read the side effects of this crap before taking it, the doctor prescibed it for precaution for my hips. I took one dose (one pill), and as it says in the side effects, by the following day my muscles in my chest and upper back were like somebody is in top of me putting preassure, can't function, can do anything except lying in bed, this medication shouln't be in the market, it does more harm than good, if you read the side effects it have no one part of the body that dosen't affect with something, if there isn't one thing then is another. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION.Read More Read Less

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Dee | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/11/2023
Condition: Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After second dose I broke out with hives and red rash all over entire body. I didn’t read side effects prior to taking medication but after five months of horrible itching red welts all over my body I finally connected the dots or spots! I finally couldn’t stand the constant dry botched skin with red sores that no cream would give me relief. Two weeks ago I stopped this horrible medication and my skin is healing and itching stopped.

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bone groan | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/10/2023
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

diagnosed with osteoporosis 2.6 ( spine). took on a saturday as directed and started to feel dizzy in about an hour. i was dizzy all day, no big deal i thought it will pass. later that evening i developed nausea, bad chills, diarrhea. bad night- took tylenol for chills and they went away after about 3 hours. i did check for covid it was neg and i did not have a fever. next day i was wiped with no energy and bad back pain. couldn't do anything. gradually felt better but a subtle nausea feeling remained and some dizziness. I just didnt have an appetite for anything and still have to force myself to eat- 6 days later ( so not like me!). Also, 4 nights after the 1st chills, diarrhea incident i had another, after feeling rather normal for a few days. I told my doc she though maybe i had a bug of some type but i know i did not. i wish docs would read the patient reviews its like they are clueless. why aren't there better drugs for this? with the growing elderly population? by the wayI am very fit at the gym 2 hours 3x a week, then walking pilates, etc and eat very clean. I do have scoliosis and i think that is why i have the osteoporosis. I wont take this again- i still feel weird from it. i might try boniva or the other crappy choice they gave me in a while but since they are all basically the same i wont be looking forward to it. and another thing- women need to have bone density tests much earlier than 65! i am 63 and asked for it early. really 65 is too late if you have osteoporosis already. start at 50 or 55.Read More Read Less

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Living 904 | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/5/2023
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Horrible side effects. Stopped after 1 dose. Called pharmacist he said, “That’s all normal, it will get better over time.” I was bed ridden with pain, flu like symptoms. Stay away from this medication…

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Cindy | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
8/17/2023
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Body ache's, and I lost half my hair. I was taking it for one Year. I realized that's why my hair was falling out.

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Lz | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/23/2022
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The 2nd tablet on week 2 that i started Alendronate, i had a terrible back pain and lower thigh pain. I was in back pain for 3 days, it feels that my body will collapse due to back pain. I never had this kind of pain ever in my life until i started taking this medicine. I took Aleve and Advil which help reduce the pain. I am a very active female and regularLy exercise and go for walks. I will stop taking this medicine.

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Patrick | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
10/31/2022
Condition: Osteoporosis in Male Patient
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Painful bone side effects after one year of usage. Stopped taking it four months ago and side effects have continued and even worsened.

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Demmy | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/21/2022
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was taking this medication for osteoporosis, but after 3 months stopped taking it, I started to feel pulsating pain on the left side of my tight bone, and also my teeth are very sensible, can not even brush them without pain and a estrange sensation. I also have pain on my right shoulder, but not sure if that related. I am afraid of this medicine but not sure what to take now, my doctor told me that is the only medication that he can prescribe to me, due to my insurance.

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Elissa | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/17/2022
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am 59 and my doctor said to take this pill once a week, he said it will do wonders for you but the first time I took it about 10 hours later I was in such pain, I felt like I was going to die, I was in bed and I am a very healthy women no medical issues no meds I am only 125 lbs. and I am very active run gym family life. I was bed ridden for 2 days, I told my doctor he said, oh, mabe you were coming down with something, NO, I told him I will am not taking the pill again, plus my insurance did not cover it, I had to pay a very high cost, I threw them away, I had the worse experience in my life, I never even had one operation in my life, never was in the hospital except for my children, I will never never take this again, my sister had the same reaction and more, her hair started to fall out, she is 60, they should take this off the market, hope this helped someone. I am taking supplements and more vitamins, stay away from that med.Read More Read Less

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Alendontrate | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
5/14/2022
Condition: Other
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Prescribe by my doc for osteopenia, I wish I would have read reviews, worst meds, ended up throwing in garbage! Caused bad musculoskeletal pain in my 2 shoulders and forearms, very painful and debilitating. The only thing that’s helping is CBD soft-gels. CBD is very helpful for inflammation! This is a Godsend! Taking 1 in morning & night. Nu leaf was my choice. Hope this helps someone.

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Sharon | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/7/2021
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The reviews on this is scary, started taking algaeCal Plus in day and strontium Boost before bed. Reviews are amazing! All natural and my lower back pain is gone. Please look into this, you’ll be happy you did!

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Nancy | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/24/2021
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have taken this for 2 1/2 years. DEXA shows small improvement. I am very concerned about side effects. This month a close friend had to go to her dentist because of bone shards that feel like glass cutting her mouth and tongue. She took heavy pain med to reduce her discomfort. Her dentist used to try to repair the deteriorating jaw into it at least try to eliminate some of her pain, but he no longer does anything because it just makes the jaw & gums worse. Since learning of my friends pain, I have stopped taking Alendronate Sodium.Read More Read Less

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nutmeg | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/25/2020
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

9 months out from just 2 doses (35 mg/week) and I am finally recovered from the severe arm, hand, and shoulder pain it triggered. A factor in my adverse reaction to alendronate is likely that I was also taking PPI's, which I learned later amplify absorption of alendronate. After the first dose, I noticed sharp pains in my fingers that came and went. After the second dose, the next day I had severe pain in my right forearm, which grew worse over the next few days. I switched to using my left arm, but then that forearm grew painful, too. (I also had a few cramps in my thigh muscles over the first few days, and some pain in the balls of my feet). Over the next few weeks my forearms slowly improved, but as I started using my arms more, I developed pain in my shoulders and fingers. With rest, everything slowly improved. I thought I was recovered at 5 months, but then I carried a heavy bag on my shoulder, which triggered 6 weeks of shoulder pain. Now, at 9 months, I'm pretty much okay. Read More Read Less

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Pris | 55-64 | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
12/24/2019
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I began taking Sodium Alendronate 70mg once a week in April 2019 at the recommendation (and my hesitation) of my GP whom I highly regard. I am 61 and have Osteoporosis. Otherwise, I am an active healthy woman. Soon after the second month I began to have chronic hip and low back pain. I thought it was from over exercising but the tightness in my joints and ligaments and pain lingers to this day. What is far more disconcerting is that I have mandibular tori (small bone growths in my lower jaw, under my tongue-never previously a problem nor change in size) and this past month I noticed a drastic increase in their size and sensitivity! After reading more extensively about osteonecrosis of the jaw I am most certain that the change in the tori is a result of this medication. I have decided to stop this treatment in the hopes that my joint/muscle pain and growth in the tori stop. I highly recommend extensive research prior to starting this drug. I am not convinced enough research has been done in the side effects vs. benefits. I will continue to eat healthy, take high quality calcium, magnesium and D3 and continue my normal exercise routine to try to combat osteoporosis naturally. I do not recommend this drug. The negative side effects do not outweigh the benefits for me. Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/1/2019
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My question is why does the information on web MD say to take this pill daily?? This is a weekly medication, correct? This is dangerous information to the public because it is not accurate!!!

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RobfromTexas | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/13/2019
Condition: Osteoporosis in Male Patient
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am a 59 year old male with Osteoporosis. Since taking this prescription, i vomit, suffer from a sore throat, experience more severe pain throughout my back, and just generally feel terrible. I’ve stopped taking the medication.

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