Navigating the Uncharted: Alendronate-Related Orbital Inflammation: A Case Report

Abstract

Alendronate is used to treat cancer-associated bone disease, Paget’s disease, post-menopausal osteoporosis, and other bone degenerative conditions. Rare adverse reactions associated with alendronate include ocular effects, such as orbital inflammation, episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis. These reactions usually occur as an acute-phase response, within a few days of alendronate administration. A 54-year-old woman, diagnosed with post-menopausal breast cancer experienced left eye dryness, swelling, itching, and burning after a month of oral alendronate administration. The patient was effectively managed using topical steroid eye drops with gradual tapering of the dose, which led to the conclusion that alendronate was the cause of the event. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an alendronate-induced ocular side effect in India.

Keywords: Alendronate; Adverse Drug Reaction; Anterior Scleritis; Orbital Inflammation; Bisphosphonates; Steroid therapy