Alendronic Acid, Stomach Pain

[Tilly2]

I took my first AA pill on Sunday, following the instructions to the letter, and felt fine. Since last evening, however, my stomach has been hurting and I am in discomfort.

Is there anything I can take to stop the discomfort? Would antacid tablets work?
I can't take aspirin tablets either. They cause me considerable pain. Any link between the two medications?

[New Judge]

//Some medications cause more harm than good..//

Indeed. I was prescribed some of these a year or so ago. I had to have a scan for an unrelated problem. The scan revealed nothing about my problem but suggested I may have slight osteoporosis. The instructions with them are truly terrifying. Basically they must not touch the sides and you must remain still and upright for some time after taking them. I took one and had the most terrible gut pains for hours afterwards. The rest went down the kharzi and I'm taking chalk tablets now,

[Tilly2]

I'm tempted to chuck them down the toilet too, NJ. Horrible things, they are.

[anneasquith]

The instructions are not horrendous. Take the medication on a empty stomach with water, sit upright for 30 minutes, hardly life threatening. I would hope anyone who requires this medication for osteoporosis does not stop taking them on the strength of this thread .

[Tilly2]

Can someone move this to where it should be in Body and Soul please.

[Tilly2]

I don't think this thread will stop anyone from taking the medication, Anne, but it might help to alleviate any anxieties that they might have about feeling so uncomfortable , having taken them.

[anneasquith]

Tilly you have just posted you will chuck them down the toilet .

[Tilly2]

I posted that I was tempted to. I have not yet done it. I will speak to my GP first. Then, I might put them down the toilet.

[Mamyalynne]

I am potentially heading towards this, have just recently had a DXA Scan - I shall discuss and if prescribed try them.

If pain is an issue I will stop and return to the pharmacist for disposal.


Only Ed and team can move threads and imagine the office is now closed.

[Tilly2]

If you have to have them Mamya, I hope that they suit you better than they seem to suit me. I shall continue for two more weeks and see how it goes.

Is your elbow mended now?

[Mamyalynne]

I am able to move more freely, reaching and strength is slow to come but am trying to be good with my exercises.

Trouble is, I've been too well looked after. :-)

[New Judge]

//The instructions are not horrendous.//

Maybe I should have said "The side effects mentioned in the instructions are horrendous. Here's a few:

Gastrointestinal tract:

Ulceration and possible rupture of the esophagus; this may require hospitalization and intensive treatment. Gastric and duodenal ulceration may also occur.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (deterioration of the temporomandibular joint or TMJ) may occur while on this drug, if dental work of any kind is carried out.

Bone: alendronate has been linked in long-term users to the development of low-impact femoral fractures. Further, studies suggest that users of alendronate have an increase in the numbers of osteoclasts and develop giant, more multinucleated osteoclasts; the significance of this development is unclear. Fosamax has been linked to a rare type of leg fracture that cuts straight across the upper thigh bone after little or no trauma (subtrochanteric fractures).

It is the first of these that are the most alarming. It is clear to me from both the above and my own experience that this drug is likely to have an adverse effect on one's giblets and quite frankly I believe it is irresponsible to prescribe it.

[Tilly2]

What's the alternative, NJ? Are calcium and Vitamin D supplements enough?

[ummmm]

I'd keep taking them Tilly until you've seen your doctor. It's very unlikely it will cause an ulcer so quickly.

[Tilly2]

Yes, Ummmm. I intend to.

[anneasquith]

Nj. You may have omitted to mention that the list of adverse effects you posted are extremely rare .

[margarettom]

Sorry Tilly, was busy. Yes you do have to go through the same old rigmarole. I dissolve the tablet in plenty of water and I make sure I drink plenty of water after I have taken it as well. I just read a book for half an hour. I definitely think it is better for your gut in this form. I have to take Lansoprozole (a PPI) anyway because of other medications and I think this influenced the consultant when he was prescribing.

[margarettom]

To anyone likely to be prescribed these in the future. I know quite a few people who have not had problems with these tablets, so do not be put off. I also know 2 people who had severe osteoporosis and it is horrendous. You only take them for a few years (5 I think). For anyone who can't cope with them, there are alternatives, so bear this in mind.

[Tilly2]

Mine are for three years, Margaret. Then, I will have another Dexa scan. I'll be ok by the time I'm seventy. :-)

[Mamyalynne]

How did you progress with the tummy pain Tilly?

I start on Alendronic tomorrow.

[Tilly2]

Hi, Mamya. You must be psychic! I went to see the GP this morning and she said that I was one of those unfortunate people who find the tablets hard to take. She is writing to the consultant to arrange a once yearly injection and has told me to stop taking the tablets for now.

I hope you get on OK with them, Mamya. I know at least four other people who take them without and side effects at all.