Fosomax and Actonel are both medications for osteoporosis. These medications prevent bone resorption, which means bone loss. These drugs also both help in increasing bone mineral density. If an individual is diagnosed with osteoporosis, the doctor, or rheumatologist will most likely either prescribe one of the two of these, or Boniva, which is monthly in oral form.
One of the chief functions of these drugs is that they both constrain osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are bone cells that have the task of breaking down old bone tissue. Your body does this so that there is faster growth of new bone, and there is more substantial retention of older bone tissue.
The significant difference between the two is the side effects. The most commonplace side effects of Fosamax are joint pain and swelling of hands. The most common side effects of Actonel is heartburn and abdominal pains.