Oral Bisphosphonates Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva and Side Effects: Helpful Food and Nutrition Tips

NUTRITION TIPS

Many popular osteoporosis drugs, including Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva, cause stomach and esophageal irritations. One way to combat these side effects is to modify your diet by eating milder foods and avoiding certain foods that may further irritate the condition. 

To reduce your risk of heartburn and upset stomach, avoid large meals. Your stomach works long and hard to process big meals, which means it must produce a lot of acid. Also, after you eat, do not lie down right away. If you do, you are more likely to have heartburn because gravity is now preventing food from going speedily to the intestines.

You may also want to try sleeping with your head and shoulders propped up 6 to 8 inches, so that your body is at a slight angle. This gets gravity working for you and not against you. As a result, digestive juices in your stomach are then more likely to head south, for your intestines, instead of back up into your esophagus to cause a burning sensation.

Try to eat your last full meal at least three hours before bedtime. When you go to sleep, everything slows down, including your digestive system, so food you ate right before bedtime will stay in your stomach longer.

Avoid foods that contain a lot of acid, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, and any other food that gives you problems. Consider also cutting down on caffeine because it triggers acid production in your stomach. Caffeine-heavy items include coffee, tea, chocolate, and some sodas.

Cut down on alcohol and smoking. Both irritate the lining of your stomach and tend to lower esophageal sphincter pressure. When this happens, it is easier for the acid in the stomach to shoot back up your esophagus.

These are just a few helpful tips, but remember, if you experience side effects and are not sure what to do or have questions, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Foods and Beverages That Can Irritate Your Stomach

• Fried foods
• Fatty foods
• Citrus fruits
• Tomato products
• Coffee
• Alcoholic beverages
• Citrus fruit drinks
• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Pepper

Stomach-Friendly Foods

Fruit

• Apple (fresh, dried, juice)
• Banana

Vegetables

• Baked potato
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Peas

Meat

• Ground beef, extra-lean
• Steak, London broil
• Chicken breast, skinless
• Egg whites
• Egg substitute
• Fish, no added fat

Dairy

• Cheese, feta or goat
• Cream cheese, fat-free
• Sour cream, fat-free
• Soy cheese, low-fat

Grains

• Bread, multi-grain or white
• Cereal, bran or oatmeal
• Corn bread
• Graham crackers
• Pretzels
• Rice, brown or white
• Rice cakes