Fosamax (alendronate) belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates (bis FOS fo nayts). It alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body. Alendronate slows bone loss while increasing bone mass, which may prevent bone fractures.
Fosamax is used in women to treat or prevent osteoporosis that is caused by menopause and in men and women to treat osteoporosis caused by taking steroids. Fosamax is also used to increase bone mass in men who have osteoporosis, and to treat Paget’s disease of bone in men and women.