vision problems taking alendronic acid

[h1h1h1h1]

Took alendronic acid for 5 months,then teriparitide injection 2 years,then back on alendronic acid since june 2024. Noticed visual disturbance whilst driving last week. seen by optician yesterday ,who is contacting consultant today. Realised on reflection had one episode when taking first time around. Has any experience of this,optician cant find any other explanation.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I took AA for four months in 2020. I stopped because of various unpleasant side effects one of which being that my vision was affected.

From what I can remember was that my vision became very blurred and when it eas checked there was no reason for this plus I found it difficult to read and watch TV. I also seemed to lose brightness which sounds odd but I noticed when I stopped my world became noticeably brighter.

I hope you can find an answer.

[h1h1h1h1 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

i really appreciate your reply.I have been affected driving,one severe episode last week when i seemed to have distortion on left side and couldnt distinguish white lines clearly.,merging together.Also not exactly double vision when watching tv but as if someones outline was sliding slightly to side. I have an excellent optician and she contacted consultant and hope to hear a reply today.I spoke to 3 pharmacists and they hadnt heard of any reports,although does mention some possible visual problems in potential side effects.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to h1h1h1h1]

How is your thyroid?

I had Graves’ disease - over active thyroid with antibodies - in 2012 and although I wouldn’t say I had full thyroid eye disease I used to get double vision but it was below the word I was looking at rather than next to it - it meant that when I was looking at writing or writing on the TV screen I got a second image of the word below the writing.

It’s good that you have such a good optician - mine was good too - he is my husband, retired now though. I hope you hear back soon.

[h1h1h1h1 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Hi, waited to get investigated before posting again. Been to eye casualty as advised by optician and consultant treating osteoporosis. They were extremely thorough and concluded my visual distortion intermittently recently did not appear to be connected to Alendronic Acid. They agreed that it can affect vision sometimes, but usually a different part of vision at front of eye. i have thyroid disease but bloods within normal range recently as that was checked too. In my case, visual distortion attributed to hypertension due to ongoing stress. After excellent checkup at stroke assessment unit, following referral on from eye casualty., and 3 brain,neck scans - commenced on blood pressure medication. Not happy having to take another tablet, but realistic and grateful now i had visual disturbance which was probably a symptom of hypertension and alerted me to unknown health issue...... I will keep carefully looking at potential side effects of drugs but they all have lists..

[Met00]

The NHS website says AA can cause blurred vision: "Alendronic acid may make you feel dizzy. It can also cause blurred vision, and bone, muscle or joint pain." (nhs.uk/medicines/alendronic.... It's also listed as a side effect in the Patient Information Leaflet, so pharmacists should be aware of this!

[treefrog12]

Hi there. I am so glad you've asked this question! I had to stop taking Alendronic Acid, moved to Risedronate. However, because I saw you'd asked about problems with your vision - which I get regularly - I've just checked and, although a rare side effect, discovered Risedronate can also cause blurred vision. It's something I hadn't considered before so I will speak to my GP 👍