Oral bisphosphonates -- which include drugs such as Fosamax and Boniva -- can upset the stomach and cause acid reflux, although it helps to take the medication as directed.

CNN: Study: No esophageal cancer risk from bone drugs

Roche Holding (otc: RHHBY - news - people )is expected to release results of a big study showing that its experimental osteoporosis drug Boniva, which works by the same mechanism as Fosamax, can protect bones when given only once a month.

FORBES: Breaking Merck's Bones