Two medicines, side by side
Alendronate vs baclofen
Alendronate is labeled for osteoporosis; baclofen for muscle spasms and spasticity. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of alendronate since 1995 and of baclofen since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.256 per alendronate sodium 70 mg tablet and $0.032 per baclofen 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, alendronate is a bisphosphonate and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the alendronate FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026); the baclofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 12, 2024).
Highlights of the alendronate record
Alendronate (Fosamax) · label of March 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFOSAMAX is a bisphosphonate indicated for: Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women ( 1.1 , 1.2 ) Treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis ( 1.3 ) Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis ( 1.4 ) Treatment of Paget's disease of bone ( 1.5 ) Limitations of use: Optimal duration of use has not been determined. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 29, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.256 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the baclofen record
Baclofen (Gablofen) · label of August 12, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBaclofen tablets USP are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 22, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.032 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Alendronate label of March 12, 2026, Baclofen label of August 12, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do alendronate and baclofen differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, alendronate is a bisphosphonate and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Generics: alendronate since 2008; baclofen since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Alendronate | Baclofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoporosis | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Bisphosphonate | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Animal studies have indicated the following mode of action. At the cellular level, alendronate shows preferential localization to sites of bone resorption, specifically under osteoclasts. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 29, 1995 | November 22, 1977 |
| First generic approved | February 6, 2008 | July 21, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.256 per tablet (Alendronate sodium 70 mg tablet) | $0.032 per tablet (Baclofen 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 100,325 | 88,351 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to alendronate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions