Alendronic acid is a medicine used to treat osteoporosis. This condition weakens your bones and makes them more likely to break.
Alendronic acid is a type of medicine called a bisphosphonate. Bisphosponates work by slowing down how quickly your bones get weaker and helping to maintain bone strength.
Taking alendronic acid can help if you already have osteoporosis, or are at risk of developing it.
Osteoporosis can happen for many reasons, but you're more likely to develop it if:
- you've been through the menopause
- you have a low body mass index (BMI)
- you drink a lot of alcohol or smoke cigarettes
- you've been taking steroid tablets, such as prednisolone, every day for a long time (which means 3 months, or longer)
- you've had certain types of cancer treatment – your cancer specialist doctor or nurse will discuss this with you
Alendronic acid is only available on prescription. It comes as standard tablets, tablets that dissolve in water (soluble), or as a liquid that you drink.
Alendronic acid is also known as Fosavance or Bentexo when it's combined with colecalciferol (vitamin D3).
Key facts
- You'll usually take alendronic acid as a tablet or liquid, once a week. You may also be able to take a smaller dose once a day.
- Alendronic acid usually takes a while to start working. Your bones may get stronger in about 6 to 12 months, but it usually takes years for it to work fully.
- Take alendronic acid first thing in the morning, with tap water, before you have anything to eat or drink and before you take any other medicines.
- Do not take alendronic acid with mineral (still or sparkling) water, tea, coffee, juice or milk. These can affect how well the medicine is absorbed. If your tap water is not safe to drink, for any reason, boil it and let it cool before drinking it.
- Stay sitting upright or standing for 30 minutes after taking your medicine, so it does not irritate your food pipe (oesophagus).
- It's important to look after your teeth and have regular dental check-ups while taking alendronic acid. A rare side effect of this medicine is jawbone damage which your dentist can check for.