Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, increased upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding: risk factor analysis from a nationwide population-based study

Summary Patients receiving alendronate for osteoporosis carry a significantly higher risk of developing upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and lower GIB (hazard ratio 1.32 and 1.84, respectively) after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, gender, co-morbidity, and some medications. The risk factors associated with GIB were further analyzed.