Alendronic Acid

[Purple4710]

I have been taking the above for 5 years and until a visit to my Dentist to have a loose tooth removed, I wasn't aware taking it can cause dental problems and hair loss.How long should it be taken for?

Christine

[helenlw7]

I think I took it for about 2 years before it was stopped. I was back on it for a few more years but now I’m off it completely.

[julie1908]

Goo morning, i have recently been prescribed this medication but was told before I take it I must have dental check up but i have not been able to find a nhs dentist so I have not started it yet. Can you please tell me if you found a difference since taking it and what the benefits are. X

[Purple4710 in reply to julie1908]

Hello Julie

I cant say I have noticed a difference when taking it.

My Rheumatologist put me on it to help my bones but I havent had a DEXA Scan for a few years.

I have moved location and still waiting to be seen by a New Rheumatologist.

My Sister who is also my carer is following it up for me with a telephone consultation next week

I wasn't told that It wasn't long term medication.

Christine xx

[julie1908 in reply to Purple4710]

I know the pharmacist who prescribed it said I would only need to be on for 3 years x

[AgedCrone in reply to julie1908]

Try looking at the My Dentist chain of Dentists on line….they seem to have NHS treatment available in quite a few if their franchises,

[AgedCrone]

There should be a note on your prescription of the date you need to stop Alendronic Acid. Have a look…& if there is no date - call your GP pharmacist and ask what instructions they have regarding that drug.

If they have nothing- either ask them to check or call , whoever prescribed it for you , and ask how long they wish you to stay on it.

In general five years is the maximum time.

[Purple4710 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you. The note on my prescription says I started it in 2019.My Sister who is my carer has a telephone consultation with my Surgery next Thursday.

I will keep you updated x

[AgedCrone in reply to Purple4710]

The reason for the 5 years came about a while back, when a larger number than usual. of ladies of a certain age, presented with a fractured femur. Orthopaedic surgeons carried out research & it turned out they had all been long term users of AA. So now unless there are extenuating circumstances it is prescribed for 5 years. As I said….it was written on my scrip “until 2025/Prescribed by Dr X” But I decided to stop after 2.5 yrs.My Dexa scans were looking better…& I was going to be prescribed another drug.

I have just seen you are male. The info above is for women….it could be different for men.

[Purple4710 in reply to AgedCrone]

I am female and again I wasn't aware that long term on Alendronic Acid wasn't good.I had a DEXA Scan a few years ago, however with moving area I am waiting to hear from my Surgery via Online Consultation and hope to get things resolved.

xx

[Fruitandnutcase]

When I was prescribed it I was told I would be on it for five years. I have also heard that three years is enough. My friend who has infusions has had one a year for three years and is now having a break.

If you haven’t already discovered this site it’s worth having a look. It explains all about drugs et and there is a helpline you can call theros.org.uk

There is also a site on HealthUnlocked called Bone Health and Osteoporisis U.K. it would be worth looking at. I think five years might be long enough to be taking AA.

[Purple4710 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thanks for your reply. My Sister who is also my Carer is following this up with My Surgery and has a telephone consultation booked for a week tomorrowX

[AgedCrone in reply to Purple4710]

You should check your Bio it says you are a WIDOWER.

[Purple4710 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks for spotting my Bio, I have changed to say Widow xx

[AgedCrone in reply to Purple4710]

I had to check twice to make sure I wasn,’t seeing things 😳

[HevP]

I'm new to this medication,a few months now. I was told it would be for 5yrs, then stop and have another scan. I was told about jaw, teeth, and to find a dentist. No luck finding a NHS dentist, but my surgery weighed up the odd and, I started the medication, also I've had my surgery, checking to see if I've managed to find a dentist. No luck so far, I think the 5 yrs will be up before the dentist.

[Bowenlady]

Hi, I was prescribed Hydroxychloroquine and Prednisolone and two years later my rheumatologist asked me if I was still taking my calcium tablets! I’d never been prescribed them or told I needed them. He prescribed AA and within a few days I was really dizzy all the time and falling, and had tooth and jaw pain so phoned GP who said if I “think it is related to the AA” I should stop taking them and visit dentist! Next time I saw consultant he prescribed calcium tablets. I’d never been sent for a Dexa scan so asked for one and all was good thank God! I now have dental pain when I eat hot food, all over my mouth, even where I have no teeth but dentist says there is nothing wrong dentally and my gums look good! I wish I’d read the leaflet that came with them before all this happened.

[Chester1975]

I’m sorry to hear this.

when the pharmacist telephoned me to discuss this, she did say that it can affect your teeth and eyes

I was recently offered this drug and declined it.

Instead I take tablet form high strength vitamin D / Calcium and vitamin K.

I also have my bloods checked regularly to ensure that I don’t have too much of the above vitamins in my body.

Xx

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Chester1975]

I checked with doctor because I had read that everyone seems to take vitamin k, she said not to take it because it can cause blood clots! I had been on calc plus vitamin d but asked if I should be taking that as I have read too much calcium can get in the blood, replied that I could stop as my calcium level was at the high end of normal! Have refused to take anything for osteoporosis as I feel the risks outweigh the benefits. Doctors don’t seem to know what to do about recommendations for this, it’s very hit and miss!

[Trees17]

have a listen to the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast called ‘What to eat to avoid osteoporosis’ It discusses alendronic acid and theories about its side effects.

Research to link alendronic acid with jaw problems is based on limited studies but dentists have to cover their tracks. I had a break from taking it whilst I had a tooth removed last year. All was fine.

[Runrig01]

I took Alendronic acid for 2yrs back in 2015, it was stopped because I had identical stress fractures in both ankles which was attributed to the AA. It can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, my dentist said, it stays in the system for a staggering -10yrs, and is still cautious as I’m in that window period. I was also told it is only prescribed for a maximum of 5yr. I personally wouldn’t take it again. I’ve had a dexa scan recently, so will be interesting to see the results. I have ankylosing spondylitis, and my spinal dexa usually looks better year on year, but it’s a false result due to the calcium the illness is depositing in my spine. I’ve been told they must only use my hip readings, which are stable for now.

[GinnyE]

An x day showed osteoporosis and so I took AS for five years. Themed decaf scan showed improvement in my bone density. Good. Now off it for two years and then 're think. I take calcium aswell.

[Pepperpot22]

8 years ago, I had to hav a tooth removed. The healing took 12 months due to my having been on alendronic acid. I wud never say to anyone not to take a drug, but for me personally, I took the decision never to take it again.

[Green230461]

I was given this for three years because of bone density issues

[Dece]

Morning I am on infusions of AA, one every year and a half. But only to have 2 infusions and then stop. This is what is advised by my rheumatologist. I would have it all checked out. Hope it goes well for you .

[Artfanatic]

Hi Purple4710, I took Alendronic Acid for 25 years unchecked. After breaking my right thigh very easily in 2019 I was asked how long I'd been on it. Apparently they now know that 15% of women have a side effect making bones brittle instead of strengthening them! I was one of them & now realise this could be why I broke my right ankle in 3 places in 2000!? It's the same with Ibandronic Acid.It can also cause bleeding so some Dentists aren't happy if you're taking it & need any tooth removal or surgery.

Now I believe Nice suggest only taking it for 2 years max & having about 5yrs inbetween taking it again. But you must check with youre Doctor or Consultant about these timescales as I'm not sure. I can never take it again, so I'm only on daily Calcichew tablets & my Dexa scan is marginal & I'm now described as Osteopenic, & will have another scan in 3yrs to keep checking it.

So please be aware if how long you've been on it & speak to youre Doctor.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Artfanatic]

Artfanatic - if you are only taking calcium and vitamin D have a look at this very interesting report that was posted on the Bone Health site last week. It is really interesting

cambridge.org/core/journals...

There is more about prunes on here too, this is a really interesting website melioguide.com/osteoporosis...

I bought my prunes dur8ng the week - I have never eaten a prune in my life before but I am loving my 100g a day and so far have not had any unfortunate side effects.

[PSAWarrior28]

Wow....who knew!! I was aware of the issue related to teeth and my dentist is fully aware. In fact she makes a point of asking me what meds I'm on everytime I see her. I've been take Alendronic acid since 2020. I've got an appointment next month and will double check if I need to continue. If I remember, I was told I needed to take it because I'm on prednisolone. At least now I know to double check whether I need to continue taking it.

[Dismal]

I'm very surprised that people are being given this drug without being informed of the potential for dental issues. My father was on it and after being off for a while now on an injection for his osteoporosis. Dental treatment such as extractions are only to be done if essential and only by an experienced dentist. He did develop osteonecrosis of the jaw which took a long time to heal

[Ttibbett]

I was prescribed this drug many years ago without even having a dexa scan. I did not take it. One being I was unable to take it and I read lots about. It stops your bone from getting rid of the old bone so you end up with old bone that is less strong. There is a danger that you have an a hip fracture just by turning over in bed. The medina strings your jaw and is made worst by dental work that's why they ask you to go to the dentist before starting the treatment.Vitamin d is good for your bones. I found out that if you take vitamin k it makes the calcium go to your bones.

[jackNruby2]

I was on Alendronic Acid It was 5 years on and 2 years off. I had no dental problems and have always had fine hair so I wouldn't have noticed. I am now on Zolendronic Acid Infusions and would have to have a tooth extraction at a hospital in case of problems, but there were none

[Welshwomanprestatyn]

hi i took AA in the form of an infusion for 3 years i was told that it should be prescribed for 3 yrs only as there is a risk of jaw erosion that affects teeth in long term use.

[wilbertjellyfish]

Initially I was in it two years then stopped now I'm on risendronate. Not having tooth or hair loss issues.....yet.