Fosamax for bone density while on Prednisone

my doctor prescribed alendronate to counter Prednisone related bone loss. No side effects for me (that I know of) and it is inexpensive. Usual treatment with this drug is 2 years.

My Rheumatologist recommended either Fosamax or a Reclast (zoledronic acid) infusion when I was diagnosed in April this year even though my most recent bone density scan was normal. I selected the Reclast infusion and had no side effects. In April I was initially started on 60 mg of Prednisone because I had symptoms of GCA which was ruled out after a bilateral temporal biopsy. I am currently down to 11 mg of Prednisone and doing a slow taper of 1 mg a month. I will only need another Reclast infusion if I have to stay on Prednisone after April of next year. This sure has been a journey!!

Hi @healthy56
Welcome to the group! So happy to hear you are doing well!
I have a long history of prednisone use for various health issues, the last being PMR. This has left me with osteoporosis.
I was not able to take fosamax because of the side effects. I also was started on Reclast infusions, with no side effects! Just received my 2nd infusion about a month ago, with no problems.
Sounds like you are on your way to being off prednisone, so happy for you! Good luck on the rest of your journey!

I have been on fosamax (adelondate) for a couple of years before PMR because of an osteopenia diagnosis. I've been doing steroids for 8 months now (and just had to go back up to 15mg due to a flare), but I've had no minimal side effects from the meds

My father’s rheumatologist prescribed Fosomax (generic) for him after about two months into treatment. He’s still on prednisone over two years later, as well as Fosomax (we’ve been meaning to ask her how long he should he on it, as we didn’t discuss this and others have said it’s usually only meant for 2 years).

There are a lot of stipulations with taking it (being upright, etc.) but he honestly hasn’t had any side effects, which is notable because he almost always has strong reactions to medications. Loss of bone density is a real risk with long-term prednisone especially at his older age, so while we weren’t excited about adding another med, we felt it was the right decision.

@emo
Has your father had a recent bone density test done? That might determine how well the fosamax is doing. Also if he is a much older gentlemen it might be easier for him to be on the Reclast infusion—it is given once a year, it is a 15 minute infusion and very tolerable. I’m 74 even though I followed the restrictions , I still had stomach issues. I have no problems with the infusion and have had 2 treatments so far for my osteoporosis.

No adverse effects of Fosamax after 7 months.

I try to get calcium through diet and supplements. If you take calcium, also take K2 with D3 for complete absorption.

You are lucky to be able to taper so quickly! Yay!

Point of interest.Two years ago when I started prednisone for PMR my bone density was osteopenia. We waited to get my PMR a a little under control before starting Reclast Insurance company was not so quick to ok it.
In the meantime dentist said I needed an implant or bridge. In conversation I mentioned I would be starting Reclast. It turns out implant and reclast don’t work due to bone graft. I thought everything would magically disappear and basically ignored both problems due to prednisone weight gain and relapse of PMR every time I lowered my prednisone below 8 mg . I finally decided I would have a bridge and move forward . I might be wrong but I was told TYMLOS ( a daily shot for two years for osteoporosis and harder to get approval for ) and implants work together

I have had 2 Reclast infusions with no side effects. My bone density numbers did improve. The bone medicines I researched all had pretty much the same side effects. What I liked about the Reclast was that it's a once a year infusion, no pills to worry about.