You should not take Fosamax if you have problems with your esophagus, or low levels of calcium in your blood.
Do not take Fosamax if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine.
Fosamax can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have chest pain, new or worsening heartburn, or pain when swallowing.
In rare cases, this medicine may cause bone loss (osteonecrosis) in the jaw or a broken leg bone called a femur fracture. Symptoms of osteonecrosis include jaw pain or numbness, red or swollen gums, loose teeth, or slow healing after dental work. Symptoms of a femur fracture include leg or groin pain.
Also call your doctor if you have muscle spasms, numbness or tingling (in hands and feet or around the mouth), new or unusual hip pain, or severe pain in your joints, bones, or muscles.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Fosamax if you are allergic to alendronate, or if you have:
low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia); or
problems with the muscles in your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach).
Do not take Fosamax if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes. Fosamax can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus. You must stay upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medicine.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
trouble swallowing;
problems with your stomach or digestion;
low levels of calcium in your blood;
a dental problem (you may need a dental exam before you begin taking Fosamax);
kidney disease; or
any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).
In rare cases, this medicine may cause bone loss (osteonecrosis) in the jaw. Symptoms include jaw pain or numbness, red or swollen gums, loose teeth, or slow healing after dental work. The longer you use Fosamax, the more likely you are to develop this condition.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw may be more likely if you have cancer or received chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other risk factors include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and a pre-existing dental problem.
Fosamax has also been reported to cause fractures, or broken bones, in the large bones of the leg. Tell your doctor if you have any leg or groin pain while using Fosamax.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
It is not known whether Fosamax will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
It is not known whether alendronate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Ask your doctor about any risk.
