Alendronate Oral Tablet

• Upper gastrointestinal issues: This drug may cause ulcers and erosions in your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach). This can sometimes be severe. Symptoms may include heartburn, trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing, chest pain, bloody vomit, or black or bloody stool. Tell your doctor right away if you have these symptoms.
• Muscle and bone pain: This drug may cause severe bone, joint, and muscle pain. If you have these symptoms, stop taking alendronate and call your doctor right away.
• Osteonecrosis of your jaw: This drug can cause poor blood supply to your jaw. This may lead to osteonecrosis (bone death) of your jaw. This is more likely to occur after a major dental procedure. If you need to have dental work done, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking this drug.
• Broken bones: This drug may cause unusual breaks in your hip or leg bones. You may have dull, aching pain in your thigh(s) or groin weeks or months before the bone breaks. If you have this pain, talk to your doctor.

Alendronate oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of alendronate oral tablet can include:

• stomach pain
• acid reflux
• constipation
• diarrhea
• upset stomach
• nausea
• muscle and joint pain

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Ulcers or erosions of your esophagus. Symptoms can include:
  • new or worsening heartburn
  • trouble swallowing
  • pain when swallowing
  • chest pain
  • bloody vomit
  • black or bloody stools
• Bone death of your jaw. Symptoms can include:
  • painful or swollen gums
  • loosening of your teeth
  • numbness or heavy feeling in your jaw
  • poor healing of your jaw
• Unusual bone breaks in your hip and leg bones. Symptoms can include:
  • dull, aching pain in your hips, groin, or thighs
• Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in your blood). Symptoms can include:
  • spasms, twitches, or cramps in your muscles
  • numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth
• Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

This dosage information is for alendronate oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Warnings

You should swallow this drug with a full glass of plain water (not mineral water) to make sure that the drug is delivered to your stomach. Also, you shouldn’t lie down for at least 30 minutes after you take the drug. You should also wait to lie down until after you’ve eaten your first food of the day. You should sit or stand. These steps will help prevent irritation of your esophagus.

Dosage for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Generic: Alendronate

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 70 mg

• Form: oral solution
• Strength: 70 mg/75 mL

Brand: Fosamax

• Form: oral tablet
• Strength: 70 mg

Brand: Binosto

• Form: oral effervescent tablet
• Strengths: 70 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

• For treatment: 70 mg taken once per week or 10 mg taken once per day.
• For prevention: 35 mg taken once per week or 5 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

Dosage for treatment of osteoporosis in men

Generic: Alendronate

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 70 mg

• Form: oral solution
• Strengths: 70 mg/75 mL

Brand: Fosamax

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 70 mg

Brand: Binosto

• Form: oral effervescent tablet
• Strengths: 70 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

70 mg taken once per week or 10 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

Dosage for treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

Generic: Alendronate

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 70 mg

Brand: Fosamax

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 70 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

One 5-mg tablet taken once per day. If you’re a postmenopausal woman who isn’t receiving estrogen, the recommended dose is one 10-mg tablet taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

Dosage for treatment of Paget’s disease

Generic: Alendronate

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 70 mg

Brand: Fosamax

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 70 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

40 mg taken once per day for 6 months.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes alendronate oral tablet for you.

General

• Don’t take this drug with food. Food can reduce how much alendronate you absorb. Take it with a full glass of plain water.
• Take alendronate the first thing in the morning. Take it at least 30 minutes before any foods, beverages (except plain water), or other drugs.
• Don’t crush or cut alendronate tablets.

Storage

Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

• Oral tablets: Store at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
• Oral solution: Store at 77°F (25°C). You can store it briefly between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C). Don’t freeze this drug.
• Effervescent tablets: Store in their original package until you’re ready to use them. Keep them at a temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). You can store it briefly between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C). Keep the effervescent tablets in the packaging they come in until you’re ready to use them.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport x-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Self-management

After you take this drug, you shouldn’t lie down for at least 30 minutes. You should also wait to lie down until after you’ve eaten your first food of the day. You should sit or stand. This will help prevent irritation of your esophagus.

Clinical monitoring

You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. For instance, your doctor may do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working. If your kidneys aren’t working well, your doctor may have you stop taking this drug.

Sun sensitivity

Alendronate can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. This increases your risk of sunburn. You should avoid being in the sun. If you must be outside, wear protective clothing and sunscreen.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.