The FDA said patients have reported severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, or muscle pain in patients taking bisphosphonates. The drugs are sold under brand names that include Actonel, Fosamax, Boniva, Zometa and Reclast.

"Although severe musculoskeletal pain is included in the prescribing information for all bisphosphonates, the association between bisphosphonates and severe musculoskeletal pain may be overlooked by healthcare professionals, delaying diagnosis, prolonging pain and/or impairment, and necessitating the use of analgesics," the agency said Monday in a FDA MedWatch statement.

The pain may occur within days, months or years after starting a bisphosphonate.

The FDA said doctors should consider whether bisphosphonate use might be responsible for severe musculoskeletal pain in patients who present with these symptoms and consider temporary or permanent discontinuation of the drug.