Alendronate is a prescription medication indicated to treat osteoporosis--a medical condition that results in the progressive deterioration of bone tissue. This medication, which is also sold under the brand name Fosamax, is part of a class of medications called bisphosphonates and acts by helping to increase bone thickness (density) while slowing the loss of bone tissue. Talk with your doctor if you have additional questions concerning the adverse effects of alendronate and how you can manage them during treatment.
Stomach Upset
The most common adverse effects of alendronate are related to the gastrointestinal system. Treatment with alendronate can cause you to experience an upset stomach, which can cause adverse effects of nausea, stomach pain, gas, or abdominal fullness or bloating. You can also develop changes in your bowel movements as an adverse effect of alendronate. Certain patients experience difficulty producing a stool (constipation), while other patients experience frequent bowel urges that produce loose or watery stools (diarrhea). A mild burning or painful sensation within your chest or throat--a condition called heartburn--can also develop after you take a dose of alendronate. Speak with your doctor immediately if adverse effects of heartburn or chest pain become severe or if you notice blood within your stools.
Joint Pain
Treatment with alendronate can cause joint-related adverse effects in some patients, explain health professionals at Medline Plus, an online medical resource provided as a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. You can develop pain within the joints of your hands, feet, arms or legs, which can interfere with your ability to freely move the affected joint. Abnormal swelling of the joints can also occur, causing joints to appear enlarged or tender to the touch. Painful sensations with your joints can also extend into your muscles or bones. If this occurs, you can find it difficult to move about normally and may experience increased fatigue or weakness due to these adverse effects.
Headache
While receiving treatment with alendronate, you can develop a headache as an adverse effect of this medication. Headache symptoms vary in severity from mild to severe and typically subside as you continue receiving treatment with this medication.
Dizziness
Dizziness can occur in certain patients as an adverse effect of this medication. If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness after taking a dose of alendronate, you may experience temporary body instability when you sit up or stand up. Remain seated until sensations of dizziness pass to prevent further injury from falling or tripping.
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