TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

ALENDRONATE SODIUM

Musculoskeletal Approved 2008-02-06

Alendronate sodium helps postmenopausal women and men with osteoporosis by increasing bone mass and reducing the risk of hip and spine fractures. It also treats bone loss in patients taking glucocorticoid medications and manages Paget’s disease of bone. This medication is used to strengthen the skeletal system and prevent bone-related complications in those at risk.

Source: FDA Label • WATSON LABS

How ALENDRONATE SODIUM Works

This medication works by concentrating at sites where bone is being broken down and inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption. By reducing the rate of bone turnover, it allows bone formation to exceed bone loss, which leads to a progressive increase in overall bone mass. Because the drug becomes inactive once it is incorporated into the bone matrix, continuous administration is necessary to maintain its effects on new bone surfaces.

Source: FDA Label
9
Indications
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Phase 3 Trials
18
Years on Market

ALENDRONATE SODIUM Approval History

2009
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2021
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2023
2024
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2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
381 FDA actions from 2008 to 2026
May 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Apr 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Apr 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What ALENDRONATE SODIUM Treats

4 indications

ALENDRONATE SODIUM is approved for 4 conditions since its original approval in 2008. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Postmenopausal osteoporosis
  • Osteoporosis in men
  • Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
  • Paget's disease of bone
Source: FDA Label

ALENDRONATE SODIUM Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to ALENDRONATE SODIUM

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Shared indications:
Postmenopausal OsteoporosisGlucocorticoid-Induced OsteoporosisPaget's Disease of Bone
BILDYOS
DENOSUMAB-NXXP
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SHANGHAI HENLIUS BIOTECH
Shared indications:
Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
BONCRESA
DENOSUMAB-MOBZ
1 shared
AMNEAL PHARMS LLC
Shared indications:
Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
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Clinical Trial Registry

5 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT06016634 1693339 5K23HL148310, 2020095 Ph 2 recruiting Alendronate for Osteonecrosis in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease
NCT05493761 OsteoNAFLD 88235 Ph 4 active not recruiting Effect of Anti-osteoporotic Medications on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
NCT04704947 osteoprosis Ph 3 recruiting Clinical Study Evaluating Beta Blockers Use and Fracture Risk in Patients With Primary Osteoporosis
NCT02795546 PMVIDS/PER/0029/2014 Ph 4 completed Effect of Alendronate With β - TCP Bone Substitute in Surgical Therapy of Periodontal Intra-osseous Defects.
NCT00996801 results posted 5442-012 2009-014729-18, CTRI/2010/091/000258 Ph 2 completed MK-5442 in the Treatment of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women Previously Treated With an Oral Bisphosphonate (MK-5442-012)
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

ALENDRONATE SODIUM FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

ALENDRONATE SODIUM is indicated for the treatment of Postmenopausal osteoporosis; Osteoporosis in men; Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis; Paget's disease of bone.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.