getting used to taking Alendronic acid

[Marumomo]

For those who started the same journey taking Alendronic acid, would you remember how long it took you to get used to the drug? I am experiencing stomach pain, acid reflux, constant burping and flatulence. Also mouth ulcers (and I don't chew the tablet), itching of the head and neck and feeling tired.

[Met00]

Please don't assume you'll get used to it, there are other medications that may suit you better and risks associated with the side effects you describe. The patient information leaflet says "See your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, which may be serious, and for which you may need urgent medical treatment:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

heartburn; difficulty swallowing; pain upon swallowing; ulceration of the gullet (oesophagus - the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach) which can cause chest pain, heartburn or difficulty or pain upon swallowing.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

allergic reactions such as hives; swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, possibly causing difficulty breathing or swallowing; severe skin reactions,

pain in the mouth, and/or jaw, swelling or sores inside the mouth...."

[corcho]

I have been taking Alendronite Acid for 6 weeks now and so far have had no side effects. I think you should see your doctor and stop taking further doses. There are other medications that they can prescribe so you shouldn't have to put up with so many bad reactions. Your safety and future health are priorities. Good luck.

[Armagnac]

sounds like you have a typically unfeeling GP. They should have said if you get xyz side effects and cannot tolerate this medicine come back and see me. There are plenty of injectable or infused options. I have had three annual infusions of Zoledronic acid. Any slight side effects last only a few days. Suggestion: speak to ROS and discover all the alternative options. Then go and be tough with GP. Even nurofen upsets my tum!

[Lopera]

I am taking Binosto which is a soluble alendronic acid. The tablet is dissolved in water completely. I have not suffered any side effects. This might be worth a try.

[Ergendl]

I'm not going to take another.

I took my first weekly alendronic acid tablet on Saturday morning at 7 am. That day, I ran a book stall at an International Women's event from 10 am to 3 pm, with set up time beforehand, and had no problems. Felt tired afterwards so had a late afternoon nap. Had the best night's sleep that night. Next day, I played keyboards for a church service in the morning, attended Quakers with a friend in the afternoon, and a meeting in the evening.

Then it struck. About 10.30 pm I had bad indigestion which didn't settle with Gaviscon but did quieten with hot milk. Slept for two hours. Woken by more stomach pains, took more Gaviscon. Slept half an hour. Woke before 4 am, absolutely doubled up with stomach pain. So bad I phoned 111. Told to take more milk which quietened it enough to get another hour's sleep. Stomach has been sore and tender ever since, and needs constant top up of mild food or milk to quieten it.

The out of hours GP told me I should have had more water with the tablet and not eaten or drunk for at least half an hour. But I drank a tall glass of water and sat upright for an hour before making my first mug of tea, longer than the medication leaflet instructed. Surely if the problems were going to start because of a failure to take the medication correctly, it would have started to cause problems right away, not forty hours after taking it?

So I daren't take another, because I don't want to risk what may happen next.

[Mongoose59]

Hi Marumomo you sound like you are having fun🙂. I tried it for 6 weeks and the side effects didn’t subside. Muscle ache, joint ache, headaches etc. I stopped them and replaced with Ibandronic once per month. It sounds like you are having real problems specially the mouth ulcers. Remember that these tablets are for a long term fix so I wouldn“t worry about asking for an alternative. I would get straight back to GP or rheumatologist.

All the best

[Verauk]

Marumomo As other people have said here, see your doctor. I've been taking AA for 8 months and I dont feel anything. Call your doc!

[Lunasgran]

I’ve been taking alendronic acid (binosto) for three years with only occasional nausea for an hour or so afterwards. I read that you should only wait half an hour after taking the tablet, then have a snack. I do that now and don’t have any nausea at all. As others have suggested, you should see your doctor because you shouldn’t be having all those side effects.

[Clematisa1]

I would speak to your pharmacist and then your GP. I had dizzy spells for about three weeks but that was really all. The symptoms you mentioned need to be flagged to your health care providers.

[Showgem]

I assume you had a Dexa scan showing low bone density? Do you mind giving your figures as you may be able to strengthen your bones with extra vitamins, HRT and weight bearing exercises.

I took 3 different biophosphates over a year and all gave me the same side effects as you’re describing. I stopped taking them and am now trying natural methods to stop further deterioration of my bones.

[OneBlueLady in reply to Showgem]

I have refused infusions because I am worried that they stay in the body for a year, so any problems would be difficult to deal with. I’m interested in what you do now for natural methods? Reading about the problems that others experience has made me feel certain I have made the right decision.

[Showgem in reply to OneBlueLady]

I am taking vitamins d3 and k2 mk7 in oil based soft gel capsules and a good magnesium supplement. I do Pilates and walking for weight bearing exercises.

I’m now in my mid 70s but if I was any younger I would definitely push my GP for HRT patches.

[Showgem in reply to OneBlueLady]

I am taking vitamins d3 and k2 mk7 in oil based soft gel capsules and a good magnesium supplement. I do Pilates and walking for weight bearing exercises.

I’m now in my mid 70s but if I was any younger I would definitely push my GP for HRT patches.

[Calmlake in reply to OneBlueLady]

I had a Zoledrolic acid infusion 5 months ago and since then have had constipation. I have ibs. I had the same problem when I took the Alendrolic acid tablets. It has been very difficult. I am now waiting for it to wear off.

[67Varieties]

Are you taking lansoprazole? I'm not having any problems with indigestion or heartburn with it. You should maybe talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms like that.

[OneBlueLady in reply to 67Varieties]

Lansoprazoll is a proton pump medication, you need to make sure you get checked for vitamin b12, I’m sure it’s caused my osteoarthritis because I took it for years without any checks, trusting the doctor that it was okay!

[Showgem in reply to OneBlueLady]

Good advice, I kept getting prescribed proton pump medication and my b12 was never checked. Years later I was diagnosed with pernicious anaemia, my b12 was through the floor and I have lasting nerve damage as a result.

[Eilidhmac]

As others have said, you must get back to the Dr and hopefully be given an alternative. I took AA for 3 years and then had a bit of acid reflux that wouldn’t go away, so stopped for a year but have been back on it for over a year now with no further problems. I have fibromyalgia so have just blamed that for the the muscle aches and nausea ….. was there even when off them for a year! 🙄😂 Speak to the Dr and hope that you get prescribed an alternative.

[Mileydog]

Hi, I was fortunate to not have anything other than a headache and that was not every time I took a tablet.

[ChickenDopiaza]

Hi

Sorry to hear you are having bad side effects.

After talking it through with many health professionals I decided NOT to take Alendronic Acid due to the possible side effects. So I can't confirm how long the side effects last.

None of the health professionals I spoke to seemed convinced it was the right course of treatment for me, mainly due to my age 45. Only my Endocrinologists recommended it, but he preferred the infusion version.

There is an infusion that takes 1 hour at a hospital once a year that has less side effects. Apparently the cannula is only in you for 15 minutes. I've OCD and terrified of needles so can't do that either.

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Marumomo ,

Just wanted to pop in to wish you a very warm welcome to our community, thank you for joining us here It's great to see you connecting with our valued members, and we really hope this helps you on your health journey

We also just wanted to let you know that have lots of information on our website, including about medicines and side effects that might feel helpful at this time: theros.org.uk/information-a...

Wishing you the best,

Lulu

ROS Moderator

[ESPX]

Hi this is my first post, I hope it finds you pain free

I took Alandronic Acid only twice I was sick both times, my GP stopped it immediately. On the down side I am yet to be given a replacement (2023) still waiting