This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Cautions with other medicines
Some medicines affect the way alendronic acid works.
If you need to take other medicines by mouth (orally), do not take them at the same time as your alendronic acid. This is because other medicines can react with alendronic acid and stop it working properly.
If you do need to take another medicine by mouth, wait for at least 30 minutes.
Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, including:
- antacids to relieve indigestion or heartburn
- laxatives containing magnesium
- cancer medicines such as bevacizumab or thalidomide
- steroids such as prednisolone or dexamethasone – these may increase the risk of damage to your jawbone
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, which can increase the risk of irritating your food pipe, stomach or gut (taking low-dose aspirin is OK)
- antibiotics such as gentamicin, amikacin or tobramycin – these can lower the calcium in your blood
- deferasirox, a medicine used to remove excess iron from the body – this may increase the risk of bleeding from your gut
These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with alendronic acid. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Also tell your doctor if you are having chemotherapy.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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