What it's used for
This medication is a bisphosphonate used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is also prescribed to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
The typical adult dose is one 70 mg effervescent tablet once weekly, dissolved in half a glass of plain room temperature water.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
What it looks like
Illustrative only — appearance varies by manufacturer and strength. Photo credit: NLM Pillbox.
Common side effects
Clinical adverse reactions can include upper gastrointestinal issues, mineral metabolism changes, musculoskeletal pain, and osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other everything else medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Alendronate Sodium cost without insurance
Cash prices for Alendronate Sodium without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Alendronate Sodium is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Alendronate Sodium dosage and administration
70 mg BINOSTO effervescent tablet once weekly. ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Instruct patients to: ( 2.3 ) Dissolve one tablet of BINOSTO in approximately half a glass of plain room temperature water (4 oz). Wait at least 5 minutes after the effervescence stops, stir the solution for approximately 10 seconds and consume contents. Swallow solution at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day. Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking BINOSTO and until after the first food of the day. 2.1 Treatment of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women The recommended dosage is one 70 mg effervescent tablet once weekly. 2.2 Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in Men With Osteoporosis The recommended dosage is one 70 mg effervescent tablet once weekly.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Alendronate Sodium side effects
The following clinically significant adverse drug reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Upper Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Mineral Metabolism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Musculoskeletal Pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Osteonecrosis of the Jaw [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Atypical Fractures Including Femoral Fractures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Renal Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Patients sensitive to High Sodium Intake [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 3%) are abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, musculoskeletal pain, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Radius Health, Inc.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Alendronate Sodium drug interactions
Calcium supplements, antacids or oral medications containing multivalent cations interfere with absorption of alendronate. ( 7.1 ) Use caution when co-prescribing aspirin/nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs that may worsen gastrointestinal irritation. ( 7.2 , 7.3 ) 7.1 Calcium Supplements/Antacids Co-administration of BINOSTO and calcium, antacids, or oral medications containing multivalent cations will interfere with absorption of BINOSTO. Therefore, instruct patients to wait at least one-half hour after taking BINOSTO before taking any other oral medications. 7.2 Aspirin In clinical studies, the incidence of upper gastrointestinal adverse events was increased in patients receiving concomitant therapy with daily doses of alendronate sodium greater than 10 mg and aspirin-containing products.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take alendronate sodium
BINOSTO is contraindicated in patients with the following conditions: Abnormalities of the esophagus which delay esophageal emptying such as stricture or achalasia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ; Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Do not administer BINOSTO to patients at increased risk of aspiration Hypocalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. Hypersensitivity reactions including urticaria and angioedema have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Abnormalities of the esophagus which delay emptying such as stricture or achalasia ( 4 , 5.1 ) Inability to stand/sit upright for at least 30 minutes ( 4 , 5.1 ) Increased risk of aspiration.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is alendronate Sodium covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Alendronate Sodium is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get alendronate Sodium through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get an alendronate Sodium prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does alendronate sodium cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for alendronate sodium vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Alendronate Sodium is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get alendronate sodium?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of alendronate sodium are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of alendronate sodium?
70 mg BINOSTO effervescent tablet once weekly. ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Instruct patients to: ( 2.3 ) Dissolve one tablet of BINOSTO in approximately half a glass of plain room temperature water (4 oz). Wait at least 5 minutes after the effervescence stops, stir the solution for approximately 10 seconds and consume contents. Swallow solution at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of alendronate sodium?
The following clinically significant adverse drug reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Upper Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Mineral Metabolism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Musculoskeletal Pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Osteonecrosis of the Jaw [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Atypical Fractures Including Femoral Fractures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Renal Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Patients sensitive to High Sodium Intake [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 3%) are abdominal pain, acid regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, musculoskeletal pain, and nausea. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with alendronate sodium?
Calcium supplements, antacids or oral medications containing multivalent cations interfere with absorption of alendronate. ( 7.1 ) Use caution when co-prescribing aspirin/nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs that may worsen gastrointestinal irritation. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Alendronate Sodium is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
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