What side effects can this medication cause?
Alendronate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- stomach pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- gas
- bloating or fullness in the stomach
- change in ability to taste food
- bone, muscle, or joint pain
- headache
- dizziness
- flu-like symptoms
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately before you take any more alendronate:
- new or worsening heartburn
- difficulty swallowing
- pain on swallowing
- chest pain
- bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- black, tarry, or bloody stools
- fever
- blisters or peeling skin
- rash (may be made worse by sunlight)
- itching
- hives
- swelling of eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- difficulty breathing
- hoarseness
- painful or swollen gums
- loosening of the teeth
- numbness or heavy feeling in the jaw
- poor healing of the jaw
- eye pain
Alendronate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.