User:Mr. Ibrahem/Alendronic acid

Alendronic acid, sold under the brand name Fosamax among others, is a bisphosphonate medication used to treat osteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone. It is taken by mouth. Use is often recommended together with vitamin D, calcium supplementation, and lifestyle changes.

Common side effects include constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, and acid reflux. Serious side effects may include esophageal problems, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and femur fractures. Use is not recommended during pregnancy or in those with poor kidney function. Alendronic acid works by decreasing the activity of cells that break down bone.

Alendronic acid was first described in 1978 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1995. It is available as a generic medication. In the United Kingdom, a month of medication costs the NHS about 0.41 pounds as of 2019. In the United States, the wholesale cost is about US$1.16 per month. In 2017, it was the 90th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than eight million prescriptions.