Alendronate Uses

Alendronate is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, a condition characterized by low bone mineral density and an increased risk of fragility fractures. It is also used to treat osteoporosis in men and osteoporosis that develops as a result of taking corticosteroid medications. Additional uses of alendronate include treatment of Paget’s disease of bone. 

There may be other uses of alendronate—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Alendronate Mechanism of Action

Alendronate and other bisphosphonates increase bone mass by blocking the action of osteoclasts, which are cells responsible for bone resorption (breakdown). In other words, alendronate increases bone density by preventing bone loss.

Alendronate Doses

Alendronate comes in the form of oral tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, and 70 mg tablet) and an oral solution (70 mg). The usual dose for osteoporosis treatment in postmenopausal women is 10 mg daily or 70 mg weekly. The usual dose for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is 5 mg daily (or 10 mg daily in postmenopausal women who are not on estrogen therapy). The dose for Paget’s disease of bone is 40 mg daily for 6 months.