alendronate
Brand names: Fosamax
Binosto is a medicine that helps make your bones stronger. It is used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause and in men.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$35.13/unit
Generic Price
$0.61/unit
Generic Savings
98%
Generic Available
Yes (6 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Binosto treats osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.
Common side effects
Abdominal pain, Acid reflux, Constipation
Key warnings
Binosto can cause problems with your esophagus.
How It Works
Binosto belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. It works by slowing down the breakdown of bone in your body. This helps to increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.
How to Take It
Take one 70 mg Binosto tablet once a week. Dissolve the tablet in about 4 ounces of plain water at room temperature. Wait 5 minutes after the fizzing stops, stir for 10 seconds, and then drink the solution. Take it at least 30 minutes before you eat, drink, or take other medicines in the morning. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking Binosto.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Stop taking Binosto if you become pregnant. Bisphosphonates can stay in your bones for many years and could potentially harm the baby's skeleton.
Missed Dose
If you miss your weekly dose, take it the next morning after you remember. Do not take two doses on the same day. Go back to your regular weekly schedule.
Storage
Store Binosto tablets at room temperature (68°F to 77°F) in the original blister pack, away from moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 108,308 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 98,033 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.
Total Reports
98,033
Death-Related Reports
11,123
Hospitalization Reports
36,609
Top Indication
Osteoporosis
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAIN | 13,527 |
| 2 | FATIGUE | 12,775 |
| 3 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 12,332 |
| 4 | FEMUR FRACTURE | 11,334 |
| 5 | ARTHRALGIA | 11,003 |
| 6 | RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | 9,937 |
| 7 | ALOPECIA | 9,882 |
| 8 | ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT | 9,812 |
| 9 | SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS | 8,987 |
| 10 | RASH | 8,726 |
| 11 | PEMPHIGUS | 8,686 |
| 12 | FALL | 8,164 |
| 13 | GLOSSODYNIA | 8,076 |
| 14 | ARTHROPATHY | 8,061 |
| 15 | SWELLING | 7,603 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Binosto can cause problems with your esophagus. Follow the directions for taking it carefully. If you have new or worsening heartburn, pain when swallowing, or chest pain, stop taking Binosto and call your doctor. This medicine may also cause severe bone, joint, or muscle pain. If you develop these symptoms, stop taking Binosto and contact your doctor.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.1 ) Use caution when co-prescribing aspirin/nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs that may worsen gastrointestinal irritation. 7.2 Aspirin In clinical studies, the incidence of upper gastrointestinal adverse events was increased in patients receiving concomitant therapy with daily doses of alendronate sodium greater than 10 mg and aspirin-containing products.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines can be hard on your stomach and esophagus. Using them together increases the chance of developing irritation or ulcers in your digestive system.
What to do: Use caution when taking these drugs together. Tell your doctor if you have any stomach pain or heartburn.
7.4 Levothyroxine The bioavailability of alendronate was slightly decreased when BINOSTO and levothyroxine were co-administered to healthy subjects [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Mechanism: Taking these two drugs at the same time can prevent the body from absorbing enough alendronate into the system.
What to do: Talk to your doctor about timing your doses, as you may need to take these medications at different times of the day.
Common Questions
Can I chew or swallow the Binosto tablet?
Can I use flavored water to dissolve the tablet?
What if I can't stand or sit upright for 30 minutes?
Can I take Binosto with other medications?
What should I do if I experience heartburn after taking Binosto?
Do I still need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements?
Can I take Binosto at bedtime?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can I take Binosto if I have problems with my esophagus?
Is it okay to take NSAIDs with Binosto?
What are the common side effects of alendronate?
Does alendronate interact with other medications?
What drug class is alendronate?
Is there a generic version of alendronate?
Is alendronate safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Bisphosphonate
Other drugs grouped near alendronate — same-class peers and common alternatives.
abaloparatide
Tymlos
Tymlos is a medicine to treat osteoporosis.
Compare with alendronate →
calcitonin
Miacalcin, Fortical
Calcitonin is a medicine that helps manage calcium levels in your body.
Compare with alendronate →
denosumab
Prolia, Xgeva
Stoboclo is a medicine that helps to treat osteoporosis and increase bone mass.
Compare with alendronate →
ibandronate
Boniva
Ibandronate (Boniva) is a medicine that helps treat and prevent bone loss in women after menopause.
Compare with alendronate →
risedronate
Actonel
Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets help treat osteoporosis after menopause.
Compare with alendronate →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
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Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
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Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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💉 Procedure Costs
Medicare procedure pricing for 9,297 procedures
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What the FDA Data Shows for alendronate
The FDA label for alendronate (sold under brand names such as Fosamax) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Bisphosphonate class. Binosto treats osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Abdominal pain, Acid reflux, Constipation.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 108,308 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.61 versus $35.13 for the brand — a 98% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: February 24, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages