Alendronate sodium - osteoperosis drug?

[polecat (imported)]

I was reading some of the posts here on osteoperosis, and following their links to external sites. I found the mention of a chemical drug called "Alendronate sodium" and sold under the brand name "Fosomax" for post-menopausal women. What studies I could find says it works on men too. Pretty much it binds to the calcium in our bones so our bone janitor cells can't remove that calcium as easily. That slows down the turnover rate of formation and destruction of new bone; a fast turnover rate is thought to be the principle problem of osteoperosis.

So does anyone here take that drug? How hard is it to acquire? Any unpleasant side effects?

[Christina (imported)]

I do know that Riverwind was/is taking it. Perhaps he will shed some light on the subject for you.