Fosamax, or alendronate sodium, is one of a class of drugs called bisphosphonates prescribed by doctors for the bone disease osteoporosis as well as for those who have a predisposition for osteoporosis. The disease involves bone mass loss and susceptibility for bone fractures especially in the legs, hips and back. In March 2010, an ABC News report warned of possible weakening instead of strengthening of bones in those who take Fosamax over a long term, especially more than five years.
Spontaneous Fractures
A possible long term-side effect of taking Fosamax is spontaneous fracturing of major bones such as the femur in the leg. Those who have been taking the drug longer than five years may experience a fracture while doing something as benign as walking down stairs, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. While the drug appears to help build bone mass at first, over a longer period of time it seems to make bones brittle and less able to withstand stress.
Osteonecrosis
Taking Fosamax over a long period or in large doses may have the side effect of causing osteonecrosis of the jaw, or ONJ, a serious bone disease. Parent pharmaceutical company Merck states that rarely, long-term users of Fosamax have developed ONJ, but states that others not using the drug have also developed the bone-related jaw disease. Merck states that patients who aren't taking any type of bisphosphonate and don't have osteoporosis have been reported to develop ONJ.
Unknown Consequences When Mixed With HRT
Some long-term side effects on the very bones Fosamax is meant to strengthen have yet to be studied. Because the long-term effects of using Fosamax with hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, have yet to be studied as of August 2010, Drugs.com states there are unknown consequences. Caution is advised when taking the drug combined with HRT, a therapy often used in combating osteoporosis.
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