Comments on: Fosamax side effects linked to atrial fibrillation

By: Karin

Karin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:53:07 +0000

I took Fosamax for 2 months in late 2003. After 2 months I developed atrial fibrillation. I immediately connected it to the Fosamax, contacted Merck and asked if this was a known side effect. They were (or acted) oblivious. I stopped the Fosamax anyhow and my afib went away…although, since then, I have been prone to ectopic beats and irregular beat if I get upset about something. Afib has not returned. I refuse to take any meds for osteoporosism instead I take calcium/magnesium supplements, Vitamin D, salt etc. and my bones are better today than they were when my doctor put me on the Fosamax. I will stick to alternative medicine for the rest of my days.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:10:31 +0000

I have had atrial filbrillation for approximately 10 years. It was undiagnosed for 6 years but finally caught when I had a 12-hour episode. It has been controlled since that time by taking daily dosage of 240mg Diltiazem. In April 20007, my primary care physician encouraged me to start Fosamax. At that time, I was 66 years old. For 20 years I have excercised vigorously every day,changing my routine from running at the age of 60 to very fast walking 45 minutes a day. During the summer, I suffered daily and debilitating bouts of atrial fibrillation and frequent extended periods without returning to sinus rhythm. The cardiologist added Flecainide 50mg to my daily Diltiazem and the atrial fibrillation has been controlled. I would prefer not to take the Flecainide because it oftten causes nausea and heartburn. Since I quit taking Fosamax because of the expense in September, I am anxious to find out if I can discontinue Flecainide. Does anyone have any information on this?

By: Joanne

Joanne — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:08:37 +0000

My mother was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (with congestive heart failure) about 18 years ago and had only that one episode then and was controlled with medication and has not had any recurrence until she started Fosamax about 3 years ago. Since starting Fosamax she has been hospitalized about 5 times with Atrial Fibrillation and congestive heart failure. We could not understand why this kept occurring, and the doctors could not tell us why. We feel that the Fosamax may be the cause. She stop taking Fosamax last week. But the irony is that she is again in congestive heart failure at this time.

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:41:32 +0000

My mom took Fosamax for many years. In July of 2007 she was diagnosed with left mitral valve failure and atrial fibrillation. She had a valve replacement in July and still has the atrial fibrillation. In December of 2007 she ended up with a pacemaker due to slow heartbeat. Today she just had to get a procedure to get her heart back out of atrial fibrillation. This is a never ending saga - she is at her wits end due to all the hospital stays and emergencies due to this heart issue.

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:53:12 +0000

My mother ended up in the hospital with a-fib after trying fosamax, and my jaw is practically crumbling. Why don’t they take this crap off the market?!

By: Thomas Simmons

Thomas Simmons — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:48:12 +0000

I am a 52 year old male who has taken Fosamax for several years and without incident. Almost any drug has a potential for risk.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:38:44 +0000

I was prescribed Fosamax and Evista approx 4 years ago. I have off and on experienced little heart flutters. However since mid-February I have been in the emergency room twice with a very rapid heartbeat - I am now on heart medication. After hearing about this possible link, I have taken my last Fosamax. My doctor actually prescribed Boniva as a replacement, but now I question taking anything even though my bone scans have not been very good.

By: Dr Jim

Dr Jim — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:41:01 +0000

What many people don’t know is that the studies are primarily in women with extremely low bone mineral density (2.5 standard deviations below normal) or who have had previous fractures. The primary study showed that in the low bone density group you need to treat 100 women for 3 years to prevent one fracture. In other words, the benefit of Fosamax is small. If there is a small benefit, there should be a very low risk and a low cost to justify using this medicine.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:42:35 +0000

Joanne, That’s my mother’s name. She now has a pacemaker. She had a radiofrequency rhizotomy in June. The pains are back again. How is your mother?

By: Joanne

Joanne — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:52:16 +0000

In reply to Mellissa:
My mother took Fosamax for 12 years and developed serious problems with trigeminal neuralgia.

By: Philip J. Procida

Philip J. Procida — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:59:28 +0000

I am a 71 old male and in excellent shape, working out and cycling during summer months close to 200 miles each week. I had a short bout with atrial fibrillation about nine years ago, and have been problem free ever since. I started with Fosamax approximately 3 years ago, and two months ago went into Atrial Fibrillation again. This time we cannot get the heart to go back into a normal sinus rhythm for much more that a few hours each day. I have stopped Fosamax, but the damage may already have been done.

By: Elaine Beckyer

Elaine Beckyer — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:23:13 +0000

I am an almost 60 year old female. Was prescribed Fosamax about six months ago. I was worried about esophagus pain from this drug, but recently got up the nerve to try this medication, as my bones are thinning according to two different tests done. I took the first pill of Fosamax on a Friday. On the following Monday, I could not sleep as my heartrate was nearly 120 and pounding. The heart was not keeping a rhythm, either, so I went to see the doctor. I told him about my new medication, Fosamax, and asked if this would be causing my symptoms. He said something like, not to his knowledge. The symptoms seemed to subside and on the following Friday, I took a second Fosamax pill. I got the same symptoms a few days later and was sent to emergency room. I quit taking the Fosamax. It is now three or four weeks later. My steady heart rhythm has returned just recently. I will see a cardiologist at my family doctor suggestion.

By: Lonna Berridge

Lonna Berridge — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 23:42:58 +0000

I am a healthy 56 year old with a small frame and risks of osteoporosis. Fosamax was prescribed for me. I took the weekly dosage for 3 weeks (3 pills) and in that time have developed an irregular heart rhythm. I am awaiting test results - EKG, echo cardiogram, and Holter monitor. How scary to think that this could have developed in only 3 weeks. I took myself off Fosamax and am hoping for a return to health.

By: Joan says

Joan says — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:20:16 +0000

I have taken Fosamax for 7 yrs. and 3 yrs. ago was in the hospital for atrial fibrillation. I have just stopped taking fosamax because of the jaw bone scare but now I think I probably have the ATRIALIFBRILLATION FROM FOSAMX, but I am under the caradiologist care but the AF is getting worse, I am always in AF, I take diltiazem 108 mg/ for it but how do you stop this AF? Please help.