Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva: Why Might a Patient Be Prescribed One Oral Bisphosphonate Over Another?

Im pleased that these studies are getting some where because if it wasnt for the studies, we would not be were we are wih the medications. I think that the eople that make this happen for all of u are not credited enough!!! Thanks so much to everyone that tries to help us and thanks so much to you Lila for all of the great info... Love Pam xoxo

You said Actonel works on a lot more sites than the other drugs.  How does one bisphosphonate have the ability to selectively prevent fractures at various sites?  What were the parameters and selection criteria for the individual studies that showed this?  I still can't grasp how a bisphosphonate would selectively act on the spine and not have an impact on other skeletal sites.

I have taken fosamax for 5 years,I gave it up this winter when I read about the results of osteoecrosis of the jaw,just wondering what your thoughts are on this. Thankyou

If Actonel and Fosomax have different benefits why don't docs prescribe both and patient takes actonel one week and fosomax the nest?

Is'nt that nice,Neil Gonter is a paid hack for the pharmaceutical companies. I notice that he does not mention the number or substance of the law suits now pending in regards to Fosamax.

 

I used Fosamax twice and had to discontinue after my joints stayed inflamed for almost 4 days. Had I continued I might have experienced further joint discomfort and bone loss in my jaws.

 

Do not send me your crap in the future.  You do a great diservice to the community. PRINT THAT!!!

This is an informative article.  Thanks

Please note in the third paragraph under clinical studies the word "humorous" should be spelled "humerus".  

WK

Is there a generic for this drug.  I understand the patent will be out in 2008.

I am 29 years old and have been taking Actonel for almost three years. I am a female runner and after finding stress fractures in both of my legs at the same time my Dr. ordered me a bone density scan. It came back in the Osteopenia range very close to Osteoperosis. He was hesitant to put me on the Actonel since it is marketed for older women. I also take calcium vitamins, 2 a day and I get scanned every year. After almost three years my results have increased and my spine is very low in the normal range and my hip almost there. However after having a bone scan this past week a stress fracture was discovered in my lower leg.  This was very dissapointing to find that even on the medicine I am still getting fractures.

Has anyone had any similar experieneces?

I have been taking Actonel on and off for about three years.  However, I do take generic Prilosec due to heartburns every day.  Without that pill, I would suffer at night.  Now, back to Actonel...I asked my doctor about taking Actonel and he was sort of vague.  I stopped my Actonel because it states that with continuing heartburn, you should not take it.  Or is it if you take Actonel and you get a heartburn?  No answer to that...Asked the pharmacist and she was vague too.  I do not think they know enough about damage this pill can do.  So, I am not taking it anymore.  My mother had Osteo, now me and my daughter.  I guess it runs in families and there is nothing really one can do.  If you can, please reply....

My gyno prescribed Generic Fosamax, and I experienced the same aches and pains decribed by the Lipitor user (article in  News & Observer, 23 June 2009) It was uncanny - my symptoms began almost immediately after having taken the FIRST pill! After day 6 my problems eased. Nothing in the product information prepared me for what I went through. Do you think HRT may be a better solution for my osteoporosis?

I am 71 years old and my mother had osteoporosis, so my doctor has had me on Fosamax for about 6 years and most recently on the generic.  The bone scans I've had since on this drug show definite improvement and I see no different in either drug.  Both work great for me.

I have taken Boniva for two years. Recently, last two months, I have had terrible heartburn, thought I was having a heart attack but relived by antiacids. My last dose was August 9, and my Jaw and mouth became sore. So I was taken off it.  Well

yesterday I had a bone density test and Lo an Behold, I was worse than when I started Boniva, before I started test was 2.8 now after two years of Boniva it is 3.3.

Can anyone explain this. I believe Boniva actually hurt my bones . Have you heard of this? I am totally defeated. I took it just as instructions said.