Fosamax vs. Actonel

• Are Fosamax and Actonel the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Fosamax?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Actonel?
• What is Fosamax?
• What is Actonel?
• What Drugs Interact with Fosamax?
• What Drugs Interact with Actonel?
• How Should Fosamax Be Taken?
• How Should Actonel Be Taken?

Fosamax (alendronate sodium) and Actonel (risedronate sodium) are bisphosphonates used to treat and prevent osteoporosis, and to treat Paget's disease.

Common side effects of Fosamax include:

• gas,
• constipation,
• heartburn,
• diarrhea,
• bloating,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• joint pain or swelling,
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• eye pain,
• back pain, or
• weakness.

Serious side effects of Fosamax include:

• severe pain (joints, bone, muscle, jaw, back or heartburn),
• chest pain,
• difficulty swallowing,
• bloody stools,
• eye pain,
• skin blisters, and
• swelling of the face, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects of Actonel include:

• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• headache
• flu symptoms
• muscle pain
• diarrhea, constipation, or
• joint or back pain

Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is a bisphosphonate that is a specific inhibitor of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption used to both treat and prevent osteoporosis, and to treat Paget's disease.

Actonel (risedronate sodium) is a bisphosphonate used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in men and women, and is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone.

Fosamax may interact with aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Actonel may interact with aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Fosamax is available in a tablet or oral liquid form. Each bottle of the oral solution contains 91.35 mg of alendronate monosodium salt trihydrate, which is the molar equivalent to 70 mg of the drug. The recommended initial dosage is one 70 mg molar equivalent tablet or oral liquid bottle once weekly or one 10 mg molar equivalent tablet per day. Fosamax must be taken at least one-half hour before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day with plain water only to avoid any reduction in gastrointestinal adsorption.

Dosage of Actonel depends on the condition being treated.