Table 1.

Different bisphosphonates, the doses and common side effects.

Drug	Dosage	Common Side Effects
Alendronate	10 mg/day or 70mg/week orally	Heartburn, dyspepsia, musculo-skeletal pain, oesophagitis and oesophageal ulceration. Cumulative toxicity in CKD ≥ stage 4. Osteonecrosis of jaw can occur with dental procedures
Risedronate	5 mg/day or 35 mg/week orally	Similar to alendronate and skin rash and arthralgia
Ibadronate	150 mg/month orally or 3 mg intravenously every 3 months	Dyspepsia, hypophosphatemia, Hypo-calcaemia, flu-like symptoms, oesophagitis
Zoledronic acid	5 mg intravenously annually	GI side effects are less common. Flu-like symptoms for up to 3 days of infusion.