Prescription drug · Used for osteoporosis

Fosamax side effects

alendronate

This side effect is printed on the FDA label for Fosamax. It was a question in our daily quiz, where you pick the real side effect from four choices.

A patch of jawbone that dies, often after a tooth is pulled

It's meant to make bones stronger. Rarely, part of the jawbone dies instead, usually after dental work.

From the FDA label

“Localized osteonecrosis of the jaw, generally associated with tooth extraction and/or local infection with delayed healing, has been reported”

Fosamax label, updated Mar 12, 2026 · Read the full label on DailyMed

What to watch for

Tell your dentist you take it before dental work. Report jaw pain or swelling, and any new thigh or groin pain.

2,561 reports to the FDA's adverse event system mention osteonecrosis of the jaw. A report is not proof the drug caused it. See the query

From quiz No. 5 · September 29, 2026 · Play that quiz →

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Not medical advice. Don't stop or start a medication because of a quiz. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Label text and report counts from openFDA. Not affiliated with any drug maker.