Osteoporosis causes human bones to become thinner and more brittle. The medication generically named alendronate sodium can help to prevent and stop the progression of this bone disease. Primarily prescribed for postmenopausal women, the medication may also be prescribed to women and men who have the bone disease or are at risk for developing the condition from using corticosteroids for an extended period, the Mayo Clinic health information website indicates. Those who have Paget's disease may also have alendronate sodium prescribed as a treatment for their condition.
Pain
A person taking alendronate sodium may experience some pain as a result. The most serious of these, the Mayo Clinic reports, is pain in the stomach area or abdomen. Anyone experiencing this serious side effect of the medication requires immediate professional attention to determine if the person should continue the medication. Pain also may occur in the joints, muscles or bones, Drugs.com states. Headaches are another reported side effect. These side effects are generally considered non-serious and should stop without medical intervention. However, Drugs.com suggests discussing them with a physician if they occur severely or if they do not stop after the first stages of treatment with alendronate sodium.
Flu-Like Syndrome
Drugs.com states that the side effect known as flu-like syndrome occurs most often when the person begins using alendronate sodium. The syndrome produce symptoms that are typical when a person has a cold or the flu. For example, the person may develop a fever and chills, a sore throat, coughing, congestion of the nasal passages or lungs and a runny nose known as rhinitis. Drugs.com indicates flu-like symptoms typically disappear as the person's body get used to having alendronate sodium in it. The organization suggest calling the physician if they do not stop or are severe.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Alendronate sodium may cause a temporary and non-serious malfunction of the person's digestive system. This usually makes the person experience either diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea occurs with too much liquid is left in digesting food. This causes stool to flow through the bowels too quickly and forces an urgent need to defecate. Constipation occurs for the exact opposite reason: the intestines withdraw too much fluid from stool, making it difficult for the waste material to pass through. Diarrhea and constipation typically occur with many medications during the person's adjustment to them.
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