Fosamax Side Effects

by Sarah McHattie on November 19, 2008

Common and More Serious Fosamax Side Effects

Most medications carry a risk of side effects. Some of them are common and shouldn’t be a cause for alarm; others are far more serious and should be addressed by a doctor immediately.

Common Fosamax Side Effects

The most common side effects of Fosamax are the ones that you will read about on the insert that comes with your prescription:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Nausea.
  • Constipation or diarrhea.
  • Flatulence.
  • Vomiting.
  • Abdominal distention (bloating).
  • Headaches.
  • Bone, muscle and joint pain.
  • Dizziness or vertigo.

More Serious Fosamax Side Effects

These are those side effects of Fosamax that should lead to stopping Fosamax and contacting your doctor:

  • Mouth sores and ulcers.
  • Difficulty swallowing or pain when you swallow.
  • Chest pain.
  • New or more severe heart pain.
  • Allergic reactions such as hives or swelling on the eyes, face, throat or lips and tongue.

As for the most severe side effects of Fosamax, Merck, the producer of the drug acknowledges that the medication can cause jaw problems such as infection of the bone and delayed healing after having a tooth extracted.

The most severe Fosamax side effects are the linking of the drug to:

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