Doctors prescribe Fosamax to prevent age-related bone damage. The drug can cause minor side effects including abdominal pain, acid regurgitation and constipation. In rare cases, people who take the drug may suffer from serious side effects such as femur fractures, jaw problems and esophageal ulcers.
Can alendronate cause fractures?
Alendronate may cause a very slight, increased risk for atypical femur fractures, a specific type of fracture that begins on the outside of the thigh bone (femur) due to stress from normal daily activities.
Does alendronate prevent fractures?
Conclusions: Alendronate effectively reduces fracture risk in postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures and low BMD, including those women at highest risk because of advanced age or severe osteoporosis.
Can bisphosphonates be given to patients with fractures?
Use immediately after fracture — A history of a fragility (low-trauma) fracture is an important risk factor for subsequent fracture. If a patient is not already treated, pharmacologic therapy (typically bisphosphonates) should be initiated in patients with fragility fracture to prevent subsequent fracture [71].
Does Fosamax cause bone fractures?
Fosamax Bone Fractures Though Fosamax is given to prevent bone loss and fractures, in some cases, Fosamax side effects may contribute to weakened and broken bones. Fosamax-related fractures may occur in the femur, which is one of the body’s strongest bones or may result from damage to the jawbone.
Does Fosamax build bone?
Fosamax is a brand (trade) name for alendronate. Alendronate strengthens bones and may be used for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis. Alendronate works by inhibiting osteoclasts which are responsible for breaking down and reabsorbing bone (by a process known as bone resorption).
What is atypical femur fracture?
Atypical femoral fractures are stress or insufficency fractures occurring in the femoral shaft. Prodomal thigh or groin pain may occur before fracture. Atypical femoral fracture may first present as an incomplete fracture.
Does alendronate increase bone density?
Previous studies indicated that aminobisphosphonate alendronate sodium, a potent inhibitor of bone resorption, increases bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and spine, reduces markers of bone turnover, and reduces the risk of fractures in Caucasian postmenopausal women.
How effective is alendronate for osteoporosis?
Treatment with 10 mg of alendronate daily for 10 years produced mean increases in bone mineral density of 13.7 percent at the lumbar spine (95 percent confidence interval, 12.0 to 15.5 percent), 10.3 percent at the trochanter (95 percent confidence interval, 8.1 to 12.4 percent), 5.4 percent at the femoral neck (95 …
Do bisphosphonates inhibit bone healing?
Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that bisphosphonate have no significant effect on fracture healing time but they do increase the changes in BMD and reduce bone synthesis and resorption markers. Early application of bisphosphonates after injury in the appropriate patient population should be considered.
How long does it take for Fosamax to strengthen bones?
Fosamax starts to affect markers that reflect bone resorption within one month of treatment and reaches a plateau by three to six months. Effects remain stable following continued treatment for up to three years.
