<s>[INST] I don’t want to take osteoporosis drugs (Fosamax, etc.) because of their side effects/adverse effects.  [/INST] Taking a medicine for any health issue is a choice. It is important to weigh the risks and the benefits. If you are at high risk of having a fracture, you will benefit from a medicine.

All medications can have side effects. By comparison, osteoporosis medicines are relatively safe and only target the bones—no other organ systems.

The rare side effects from bisphosphonates and denosumab are rare. The risk of an adverse event is very low (in the range of 1:20,000 to 1:100,000). By comparison, the risk of an osteoporosis fracture for a woman over age 50 is 1:2.

From our friends at the Kaiser Healthy Bones program, here is another way to think about it. Out of 1,000 people on a bisphosphonates or denosumab for 5 years:

Less than 1 may have a jaw problem (1/100,000)
Less than 1 may have a rare treatment related fracture (16/100,000)
There is so much information in the media and on the internet that can be marketed as the cure for any number of things. Always ask for the scientific evidence behind the claims. This science should be published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning that it has been vetted by experts for the scientific method and analysis of the data.

Remember, there are also side effects to not taking the osteoporosis medications—fracture, disability, and possibly death. Source: American Bone Health. Link: https://americanbonehealth.org/frequently-asked-questions/. Field: Rheumatology. Disease: Ostoeporosis </s>