Drug Ratings for ACTONELAverage Rating: 1.4 (1356 Ratings)
Compare ACTONEL with similar:
|
Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 |
Charts & graphs: Reviews Summary for ACTONEL | Top 10 Adverse Effects (reported to FDA)
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ACTONEL | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 1 | osteopenia | everyone listed ! SEVERE uncontrollable diareah, major joint pain, muscle aches. ended up in ER on IV and anti inflamatory. | DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG! I have arthritis, reynauds, fibromyalgia, possible lupus. I want to know if other people with auto immune diseases have had long lasting effects from taking this drug.I did file a report with FDA and will phone P and G. | F | 58 | 1 days | 8/27/2009 | 1 | OSTEOPENIA | TOOK MONTHLY DOSE OF 150 MG AUG 17, 2009. SEVERL DAYS OF MILD INTESTINAL DISCOMFORT. THREE DAYS OF FLU LIKE ACHES AND PAIN IN NECK AND MUSCLES. ALSO PAIN IN HANDS AND FEET AND MIGRAINE HEADACHE . SEVERE DEPRESSION FOR TWO DAYS, NOT ABLE TO DO NORMAL DAILY ACTIVITIES. INSOMNIA DUE TO ACHES AND PAINS IN ARMS AND LEGS. | WILL NOT CONTINUE THIS DRUG | F | 58 | 1 times | 8/26/2009 | 1 | Osteoporasis | Horrible jaw pain, got an infection in gum of jawbone,was told by the endodontist it was a side effect of Actonel. Four months later two teeth cracked in same area. Had joint pain and after being off it a few months my bone density was extremely low. Why take a medication that adds pain and suffering and still have bone loss. | Was on Actonel for 2-3 years. Was told how great it would be. Took myself off it after my painfuel experience with the specialized dentist, and following problems with expense of having a tooth pulled, one capped in the jaw area. Jaw has been better, as well as other joint pain since I'm off drug. Very damaging and cost me a lot of money, and time missed from work. | F | 64 | 2 years | 8/25/2009 | 1 | bone loss | I started taking 150mg actonel in July and immediately within 6 hours started feeling bad. Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas, fever and extreme pain in my arms and back. I could not do anything but creep from the bed to the bathroom and back. For someone that is healthy and active I could not believe how sick I was. Then a week later I ran into a friend whose husband had been very sick with a stomach virus so I rationalized that perhaps that had been my problem. Soooo, when August 17th rolled around, I took my 2nd Actonel tablet. Within a few hours it hit me so hard it brought me to my knees. Explosive stomach pains, cramps, gas, extreme diarrhea, pain in my chest, arms and back. I, too wish I had found this forum before starting this med. For me, the debilitating pain, nausea, stomach cramps & back pain lasts 4 days-that is "being in bed and praying for it to pass". After 4 days the lingering back pain and stomach/gas intestinal upset still exist but can be tol | I am concerned with how long these side effects will last. It is my understanding that this drug remains in your system and is never expelled. It supports the fact that we are responsible for our own health and must diligently research treatments and drugs first. I am devastated with how this drug makes you feel and the warnings are not intense enough. | F | 60 | | 8/23/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | This is my 2nd posting to this site. My first post was on May 21st of this year. (I took Actonel for 8 months before I developed severe Joint/muscle pain). It's now been 3 months since my last dose of this drug. My shoulder joint pain is still with me although I've noticed in the last week that I feel some improvement, not much though, probably 10% or so. I'm hoping over time it will eventually subside 100%. My doctors still say that it's not very probable that my shoulder(s) pain is not related to Actonel. I beg to differ...I had an MRI yesterday of both shoulders and am awaiting the doctors review to see if there's something else going on. I have another DEXA scan scheduled for this October to check for any improvement of the bone loss. I don't expect much improvement due to the fact I stopped the drug in May and I'm not going to start it again. My doctor did say there's a new cure coming soon that is suppose to help with the disease. It's called DENOSUMAB. The drug is awai | I'm still convinced that Actonel is causing my pain. I will not go back on it no matter what.....If you look at the posts for the other 2 similar drugs, Boniva & Fosamax, the side effect are about the same. | M | 57 | 8 months | 8/22/2009 | 1 | bone loss | I started taking Actonel (once a month) on the 19th of August. Within 6 hours I started experiencing flu-like symptoms, body aches, chills and fever. This lasted about 18 hours. Then after that, I began experiencing a burning stomach ache with severe gas. I wished I would have found this site before I took my first dose. I would have never taken that pill. I hate feeling this way. It frightens me to read all of the comments knowing I may be suffering from side effects for a long time due to just one pill. If one pill can cause so much discomfort and dibilitaion then it feels more like a poison than a fix for bone loss. I would rather age "gracefully" than be suffering from so many side effects. | I will be contacting the FDA and P&G about this product! I believe it should be taken off the market. And thank you to the person that gave the information about the alternative route. I will be checking into this. I am pasting the information below for other to check out. "GERD: Mix 2 to 5 T. organic apple cider vinegar in water and sip during every meal. Takes few weeks to overcome reflux. Bone Loss: Magnesium AND calcium, taken together, with Vitamin D3. Read "User's Guide to Calcium and Magnesium" by Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD. Small 82 page book is best, most concise info I've ever read about calcium and magnesium for osteoporosis. Must take more magnesium than calcium." | F | 53 | 1 times | 8/21/2009 | 3 | Osteopenia - mild bone loss | I take the 150mg monthly dose. Been taking for 6 months now. Within 12 hours of 1st dose, developed flu-like symptoms; only lasted about 24 hours. Since then, no issues except occasional heartburn accompanied by a mild headache; not too bad... HOWEVER, the heartburn has become a little more frequent each month. After taking my most recent dose (8 days ago), have had heartburn and a nagging headache off and on every day; almost continuous for the past 24 hours. Just left a message for my doctor... | M | 51 | 6 months | 8/18/2009 | 1 | Osteopenia | Nausea started about 5 hrs after taking the 150 mg pill (first time). Less than 24 hrs after taking the 150 mg pill, I was on the phone with the doctor to see if I could get my stomach pumped to get the drug out of my system. The pain was unbearable. My doctor said it is only the flu and will pass in 3-4 days, and to take over the counter meds for nausea, pain & diarrhea. | Day 2, no energy, nausea still there, but not as bad as last night. Back pain is not subsiding. Stomach feels like it was punched. | F | 50 | 1 days | 8/18/2009 | 1 | osterporous | Took my first dose as prescribed 150mg (1 per month)on Sunday August 16th. Monday morning I had all I could do to get out of bed. Severe: neck, upper back, lower back, upper arms, both sides, chest bone...PAIN! it even hurts to breathe. I went to the doctor and they gave me an ibuprophen injection which I was told would take the pain away. It did not. I had to leave work, go home and immediately to bed for 12 straight hours. I was told to take aleve or tylenol for the next 3 days and the pain would go away. This is only day 2 and I am still in pain. Doctor said the side effects should go away after a few doses. I am afraid they won't. I would rather break a hip than have to live my life in pain like this. | Before Actonel I was active, no pain, walking 3 miles a day. Now it hurts to walk 3 feet. I am disgusted as being 59 years old and always very active, I am now walking around like an old lady with arthritis. I hope if I do not take any more monthly doses that I can have my pain free life back. Sounds like many woman are never the same even after 1 dose. The FDA and pharma. companies ought to be ashamed! You pay $115 for 1 month supply (which is 1 pill) and all it does is make you sick and hurt everywhere. Get this OFF the market. If we can't do better than this............................. | F | 59 | 2 days | 8/18/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | I took the first dose,150mg in the am, by afternoon I had back pain. I woke up at 2am in SEVERE pain, could not move or walk because of the horrific pain and spasms from my mid back. My husband called 911 and the emergency room MD did a EKG and x-ray of my spine. I have been out of work for three days, taking muscle relaxants and pain medication. I have never experienced such intense pain even during natuural child birth. | I threw away the medication and would not recommend this drug to anyone. | F | 64 | 1 days | 8/18/2009 | 2 | osteoporosis | severe nausea that lasted several days after once/monthly dosage. Already had hot flashes post-menopause so can't say that relaes. Generally fatigue seems worse. | Generally - quality of life worse though who knows if long term its effective. Takes too long for bad drugs to get pulled. | F | 55 | 4 months | 8/17/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis 2.7 | I just took my first monthly Actonel yesterday morning. Woke up about 3am and couldn't get warm and could not stop shaking. Took a hot shower to try and regulate my body temp. Threw up twice. Finally went to sleep and felt better in the morning, but weak. Today, the chills and fever came back again in the afternoon and now my lower back hurts across the top of my pelvis. | My doctor told me about the possible side effects "but only about 6% of people have trouble." Well, I don't think so. I wish I had read this site first, if I had I wouldn't have taken this awful thing. I'm going to continue my calcium, vitamin D and weight training instead. This is horrible. I can only hope right now that it passes quickly and I don't end up with some of the lingering problems others are reporting. | F | 52 | 2 days | 8/17/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | extreme joint and tendon pain that came on all at once in neck, shoulders, hands and fingers, knees, hips and feet. | I took it monthly for about three months then weird symptoms happened. My doctor ran tests for rheumatoid arthritis which came out neg. He suspected Actonel and told me to stop taking it and prescribed Celebrex for the pain until the Actonel is out of my system. I haven't taken it for about 3 months, so far, and I am still in pain. I hope it's because of the drug and not something else. | F | 49 | 3 months | 8/12/2009 | 1 | osteopenia/bone loss in vertebra | explosive diarrhea about 7 hours after 1st dose, fever and chills that night, extreme fatigue since took this 6 days ago and I am just beginning to feel like myself although tired | I have never had any reaction to any medication, took the once a month version, just haven't felt right, glad I found this website, I am not taking this again | F | 56 | 6 days | 8/12/2009 | 1 | Slight Bone Loss in Rt. Hip | My physician prescribed the 150 mg monthly dose. Within 10 hours of the first dose, I had severe pain in my right arm, hand and wrist. The second day I began to experience flu symptoms and developed a very stiff neck and a cracking sound when I tried to move my head.I rarely have headaches, but have had a headache every day and do not find much relief from taking Tylenol. My energy is low and my eyes more sensitive to light. I am now in my 6th day following taking Actonel and after reading these ratings, will not continue using it. I will just take Vit E and Tums as advised by my doctor 3 weeks ago. This is a good alternative since I have had problems with GERD and raw spots in my stomach. Given this background it seems somewhat irresponsible to be taking Actonel for only a mild bone loss in my right hip. My bone density was still determined to be acceptible. | F | 68 | 1 months | 8/10/2009 | 3 | Osteoporosis | I've only been taking it a short time (weekly dosage)and luckily so far don't have any side effects I'm aware of . . . . am frankly horrified at the potential for them in the future though, especially since I have external resporbtion (tooth condition) that will require an extraction very soon, plus either a bridge or implant. RATED A 3 ONLY DUE TO SHORT TIME USE WITH NO ISSUES. | I generally do not take prescription drugs unless there is no alternative. Tried Chinese herbs for over a year, plus calcium/magnesium etc. (proven to work on other people) but didn't help me at all. DEXA scan showed progressively worse results - am horrified that I'm taking this drug but felt I had no choice but to try it. Also have interstitial cystitis and worry Actonel might effect it at some point? | F | 53 | 2.5 months | 8/9/2009 | 1 | I was given 2 samples, one boniva and one actonel, the once a month versions. then filled a presciption for actonel. i had flu like symptoms with both. I felt very sick with all 3 doses i have taken. serious back pain, muscle and hip pain. extreme fatigue and exhaustion. my throat feels thick and wakes me up in the night. the pain symptom subsides after a week or so after each dose, or at least the serious pain. for some reason my feet hurt a lot more than ever since taking this medication. at first i thought i had the flu but after the 3rd dose(slow learner i guess) i know it is this drug. i am especially concerned about the constant thick feeling in my throat. | cannot stand the thought of going through this each month. i will not likely take it again. | F | 46 | 3 months | 8/9/2009 | 1 | not | I am so glad to have found this website before my dr appointment this week. I knew he would be pressuring me to take Actonel for osteoporosis. After reading most of this, I know exactly what to tell him. Take this drug and shove it you know where!! | F | 58 | 0 days | 8/9/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis | acid reflux... now I have GERD and Barrett's Esophagus | I am very angry | F | 55 | 5 years | 8/5/2009 | 2 | osteopenia in spine & L-hip osteo | took the pill 8/1/09. on 8/3 acid reflux kept me up thruought the early morning hours. i NEVER experienced acid reflux. i'm dragging/tired. no energy. bloated stomach. no appetite yesterday or today. mild headache & i don't suffer from headaches. | this is a once a month pill. i question whether i'll stay on this if this is how i feel 3-4 days after taking one pill. i pray i don't get the achy joints/muscle like i read about w/the other women. i'm a very active person & this is miserable. hard to concentrate at work. i'm a lawyer. | F | 61 | | 8/4/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis -2.5 | I took the monthly dose on Sunday am. In the middle of the night I woke with severe back pain, leg aches, neck pain and a headache. I could not sleep. Went to work the next day and don't know how I made it through the day. Developed a cough and now 3 days later am still experiencing severe body aches and pains. I have knee problems and it is now painful to get up from a sitting position. I am in excellent shape, exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Given the way I feel, I hope I can return to my exercise program someday. I cannot believe my gyno prescribed this medicine even knowing my reluctance to taking any drugs for this condition. How could a woman do this to another woman. Until controls are put on the insurance companies and drug companies there will never be any reform to our health care program. I am so outraged by this experience. This rating should be a -2.5 | I took one dose of 150 mg and will never take another. How did this receive FDA approval. Of course, everyone is in bed with the drug companies. | F | 61 | | 8/4/2009 | 1 | I have osteoporosis | 8 hours after taking Actonel pill for the first time I began to have problems with my stomach and muscles. Another 3 hours later I started to have horrible fever and chills that did not subside until next morning. This is day 2 and I have pain in all my muscles and barely able to walk. I will not take this medicine again. | M | 1 days | 8/4/2009 | 1 | Osteopenia | I have taken my 2nd dose of monthly Actonel and the symptoms were worse the 2nd dosage. I am so glad I found this website cause I was seriously thinking these side effects have to be in my head. | I am a breast cancer survivor and had 8 rounds of chemo and I'm telling you these side effects of Actonel are the same as the side effects of chemo. I am calling my Dr. today and telling her I am quitting this medication. It is like putting poison in your body! | F | 46 | 2 months | 8/4/2009 | 1 | Mild bone loss (spine) | Over the last two years, I have visited three different doctors and one physical therapist. My symptoms over this period of time were tingling in the fingers and loss of strength in the both hands, severe shoulder pain, severe neck and back pain, and most recently, inability to straighten my left leg without excruciating pain. For several months, I have walked with a limp and in the last week, was completely unable to walk. I did not sleep well since the pain of accidentally straightening my leg in bed would keep me from sleeping soundly. I was in constant pain. None of the three doctors or the physical therapist made the connection to Actonel, prescribed for me two years ago. I even insisted on a Lyme's disease blood test, which turned out negative. The last doctor was considering a Lupus blood test. It always seemed strange to me that I would be pain-free on Saturday and then have a relapse on Sunday. Sunday morning was when I took my weekly pill. I was relaxing in front of the TV la | I do not hate pharmaceuticals. I hate their influence, their lobbying in Congress. The media and medical professionals seem reluctant to criticize them. I'm weary of hearing that we have the best medical system in the world. That is simply not true--we are ranked 12th in the world. When doctors (three of them) don't care to consider side-effects of a drug they are prescribing as a serious risk to their patients, then they are in the pockets of the pharms. I'll take socialized medicine any day. I'm sick of health-care-for-profit. | F | 65 | 2 years | 8/3/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | Loss of appetite, severe abdominal pain, extreme joint and muscle pain, weakness, chills, diahrrhea,loss of stamina | Only had one single month dose. It was six days ago and I still do not feel normal. I feel sick after eating and am plagued with pain in my arms and legs. I had nearly 24 hours of severe pain that began 8 hours after taking the medication. I do not reccomend this medication to anyone. | F | 57 | 1 times | 7/30/2009 | 1 | slight osteoporosis | Within 3 hours of taking the 150 mg, nausea began, with full-blown flu and stomach virus symptoms 6 hours after taking the tablet. I considered going to the ER when my left arm went numb and was sweating profusely from the face. It is now day 3, and I am still so sore in my chest and arms. I will never take this pill again. It is not medicine, it is poison. If I could rate it a 0, it would get just that. | This needs to be removed from the market. | F | 51 | 1 times | 7/26/2009 | 2 | osteoporosis | I take 150mg of Actonel, once a month. I started June 27 2009. Since then, my stomach rumbles with gas constantly. The sound is extremely loud and embarrassing! I'm due for my monthly dose tomorrow and I am debating whether to take it. I'm also on 1000mg vitamin D and 1500mg of calcium daily. I'm not sure what to do. The doctors don't seem to know what they are talking about. These pills do more damage than good. Goodbye Actonel | F | 55 | 1 months | 7/25/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | I took the once a month (150) actonel at 8am Monday July 6/2009. All was fine. At 5:30 am on July 7 I woke up with intense pain through my whole body. I took a tylenol and went back to bed. When I woke up I still felt awful.I had no appetite.By 11 I was very nauseous and weak and was running a fever and aching all over. I reported my side effects to Health Canada ,Proctor and Gamble and visited my doctor. He suggested taking Tylenol. My fever was about 102 for a day. I still had body aches. I had no appetite, even after the fever susided.By the Wed. I had intense stomach pain accompanied by the runs and felt like I had been hit by a truck.On Thursday my chest was very painful, not to breathe, but when I moved. By Friday July 10 I was able to start to eat.Over the next three weeks I had some pain in different parts of my body, neck,back,arms etc.I have no appetite.After doing any sort of activity my body is more sore than usual. It is now July 25 and I have had terrible gas pains, heart | I wish I had seen this website BEFORE I started this medicine. I never would have risked it. | F | 48 | 1 days | 7/25/2009 | 2 | osteopenia | Took the 1x monthly Actonel as prescribed by my OB/GYN. No side effects at first. Woke up in the middle of the night with terrible pains in my shoulder and chills (chills during a Texas summer is not normal!). After bundling up I managed to go back to sleep until the morning. Woke up with aches and pains all over, sick to my stomach and running a 100.5 fever until late afternoon. Missed work. Two weeks later still having some stiffness in specific joints. | My doctor recommends Boniva but insurance company won't cover this...not until I have tried Actonel or Fosamax (generic). Haven't decided if I will try the 1x weekly Actonel. Don't want to experience this again. | F | 57 | 1 months | 7/24/2009 | 1 | Prevent bone loss | Severe joint and muscle pain, stiff neck, swollen feet and ankles. Painful to walk. Also suffer severe diarrhea and stomach pain/gas. Lost approx 15 pounds in six months. Hate to eat because of the painful stomach reactions to the food. | Horrible side effects which crept up on me over a six month period! Doctor believes joint pain caused by Actonel, but doesn't think the stomach symptoms are related. I disagree, but going to go through all the process of elimination just to make sure (she thinks I may have Crohn's disease). I used to walk 3 miles several times a week. Now I have trouble walking across a room. I took 6 monthly doses of Actonel, but never again! I feel like a 90-year-old woman. I just hope this gets better over time! | F | 52 | 6 months | 7/23/2009 | 1 | Fractures in foot w/no osteoporosis | Within 12 hour of taking 150mg Actonel, severe flu-like symptoms. Chilling ... severe heartburn with first dose. Extreme headaches; severe eye pain (could not stand light). With second dose, started having PVC's. Learned today that I have trigeminy PVC's ... but no one knows why they've started all of a sudden. | Went to doctor two days after first dose; they asked me to come the day after I took it, but I was too ill. With second dose, my husband took me in to Prompt Care for a shot of Toradol because of the intense headache. | F | 52 | 2 months | 7/23/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | 12 hours after first dose ran fever 101.5 and severe headache and joint pain. I'm on methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis and never run fevers went to er who said i must have a lumbar p;uncture to rule out meningitis, I refused, drs don't | likea that, came home and found this site and i see others have same reaction, I'm so glad i didn't do puncture. thanks all of you for posting. I won't take this med again. | F | 51 | 1 times | 7/23/2009 | 1 | Osteopenia | Severe stomach pain, lower back pain, burning sensation inside stomach, flu-like symptoms. | I took the once a week dosage for a year and had no problems. I started taking the once monthly dosage 6 months ago. I started having severe back pain and stomach pain about 3 months ago. I researched the internet to see if maybe I had female organ problems, a food allergy, etc. I had never had any health problems other than thin bones. After seeing an ad for a medication on TV and hearing all its' side effects, I decided to look into the side effects of Actonel. I took my last pill yesterday, and I will be interested to see if I feel better in a month or two. | F | 40 | 18 months | 7/22/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | Severe muscle and bone pain, muscle spasms, barely able to get out of bed. Took Actonel weekly for three months. Stopped it DEC.. 2008,it is now July 2009. Almost back to normal. Was in exellent shape before taking Actonel. Would not advise anyone to take this drug. | I have never experienced so much pain and muscle weakeness for such a long period of time ever. I have not been diagnosed with any other illness by my doctor. | F | 71 | 3 months | 7/21/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | difficulty in swallowing and pain in chest at same time, slow bone healing, soreness all over and in joints and random pain in bones. teeth breaking resulting in osteonecrosis of the jaw. I have been told that I will continue to have ongoing jaw and bone problems for the rest of my young life. I can't say for sure but I now also have developed a heart condition resulting in a heart attack with two stent and also hardening of the heart. | Please stop taking this medication if you are on it or considering taking it. The natural methods are a much better option in my opinion considering the pain I am in constantly and the surgeries and pain I will be enduring in the future and considering this began when I was only 41 and taking 35mg per week for 5 years per my gyn. according to dexascans. I was never told of the jaw side effects as it was not printed on the insert. My doctor had never done research on the drug or he would taken a blood calcium test and seen that my osteopenia was thyroid related and could be cured with a simple outpatient standard procedure by removing the nodules from my thyroid thus allowing my bones to absorb calcium properly. There you have it folks the simple cure for most osteopenia patients. there is probably an underlying problem, especially if you are 60 or under.The new guidelines for dr. reccomendation of this drug by the fda are that no one under the age of 50 should be on this medication.It should be a least(if even that) ditch effort. Do not let anyone pull a tooth in your head until you have either had a ctx blood test(to measure actonel in your system) it took me over a year before my levels had come down enough for more surgeries needed.my first surgery resulted in terrible pain, no healing. my jaw bone died,and was exposed for over 6 months total. i had my heart attack in the oral surgeons chair when he told me i was going to need a titanium jaw replacement sometime in the fut | F | 50 | 4.5 years | 7/21/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | Severe stomach disorder. Joint and muscle pain. Sore/inflammed gums and teeth. Listless feeling. Tingling in hands and feet. Dizziness. Elevated blood pressure. Sore neck. | DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. The side affects are not worth it. I have taken Actonel 35mg for 2 years with no problems. My Dr put me on the 150 mg, once a month pills. The first month, just a slight indigestion. After the second pill, it feels like a volcano is going off in my stomach constantly. Plus all the other symptoms listed. After 2 weeks they are still there and getting worse. I have contacted the FDA. You can make a report at www.fda.gov/medwatch. Also contact the manufacturer, Procter & Gamble at 1-800-836-0658. This medication needs to be taken off the market. | F | 50 | 2 months | 7/18/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | Bladder injury; Aching hips & back | I took Actonel for 3 months prescribed for osteopenia @ age 54; blood pressure went very low, but except for hip and back aches, I felt OK. One day I tried to donate blood at the bloodmobile at work: the nurses took my BP several times & advised me to go immediately to my internist or ER. They said my pressure was so low I should have been unable to stand. Dr. examined me, ruled out heart, stroke, etc. Sent me to kidney specialist immediately. Cystoscopy (ugh) revealed constant slow bleed in bladder. Dr asked if I was on any new meds...ACTONEL is the only drug I was taking. She told me to stop, period. No substitutes. 4 years later, I still have back & hip pain, still have slow bleed in bladder (the drs say it's OK, but I wonder) and now my osteopenia has turned into osteoporosis. SIGH My dr called yesterday to see me re: new drug on the market. I don't know which is worse: kidney horror or bone horror. Wish there was somewhere else to turn. | F | 58 | 3 times | 7/17/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | Chest pain: was sent to ER as it mimiced classic heart attack symptoms. Have also experienced severe bone and muscle pain. | Doctors seem to be unapprised as to the problems this drug is causing. I wish I had never started it. | F | 69 | 2 years | 7/16/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | I took my first time Actonel 150 mg on Monday the 13th I felt tired all morning I thought I was hungry. After lunch it sure went away I thought I can handle that but by 10:00 at night I started to feel pains all over my body and my joints. I took a shower and stay under warm water and hope it will go away instead after I get out of shower I felt heat came out of my body but I was cold. I was hurry to get in bed under blanket it was uncomfortable I've toss and turn all night also my throat was too dried I have to get up every hour to drink some water. On Tuesday the 14th I went to work I can't even make 3 hrs I have no energies and, I can't concentrate and my friend think I had flu I have to leave work took two Aleve and went bed all day. Today Wednesday the 15th I'm going to see the DR and I’ve printed these out and show them to the DR how bed this medicine side effects have done to us, otherwise he think I had flu. | I wish I've found this page before I took this Actonel thing but I'm glad I found it now. I'm not going to take this medicine anymore. | F | 55 | | 7/15/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | GERD, dizziness, lethargy, night sweats, headaches | F | 54 | 2 weeks | 7/10/2009 | 1 | osteo diagnosis | I am 60 and was just recently diagnosed with osteo. My orthopedist put me on the 150mg once a month Actonel. Took it very early on Saturday morning. 2 hours later was unable to eat-so nauseous. Had a hard time keeping food down on Sat and Sun. Dizzy both days. By Monday, I began to have joint and bone pain. At 4 this morning (Friday), I could barely get out of bed, needed to hold on to walls and furniture to get to the bathroom. When I called orthopedist's officce yesterday, they suggested that perhaps I had the flu!! I am a very active person, and just 3 weeks ago was skydiving. Today I feel as though I am 100. After reading this site, I realize that I am not alone (thank God) and refuse to put any more Actonel in my system. Just wonder how much longer these symptoms are going to last. I want my life back! | Angry that I never got a clear picture of the downside of the medication. | F | 60 | 1 days | 7/10/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | Flu-like symptoms....Joints ached EVERYWHERE! I think I'd rather break a bone! I will not take again! | F | 50 | 2 weeks | 7/8/2009 | 5 | bone loss -osteoporosis | no side effects after almost 3 years of use - I feel fine and I think the once a week schedule works well- I take it on Sunday morning and wait a half hour while I read the paper, then make coffee and breakfast | I take the once a week 35 mg actonel. I was not taking it regularly the first two years and when they measured my bone density, it dropped, so now I am really careful about not forgetting and making sure I get my calcium requirements in. | F | 59 | 3 years | 7/6/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | Aches in shoulders, pressure in chest and pain along jaw, stomach doesn't feel right, just general blah feeling. | My doctor actually gave me a script for a lose dose generic osteoporosis medication, but gave me a couple samples of Actonel to get me started. When I got up this morning, it was all I could do to let the dogs outside; I immediately went back to bed after they came back in. I took this drug yesterday morning and was fine all day, but feel really lousy today. This is the only thing I did that was different. People tell me my face is flushed; that I look like I have a fever. I didn't sleep well at all last night. Just hoping that this evening will be better. | F | 54 | 1 days | 7/6/2009 | 2 | Osteo | I was prescribed Actonel for Osteo diagnosis after breaking a wrist from a fall. I started on the daily dose for 3 weeks and then started on the once a week 35mg dose. Had headaches with initally doses and on 5th dose, started having severe stomach cramps at least 5 times a day, had to eat a snack quickly ease the pain each time, sometimes cramps accompanied by diarrhoea, the pain had me waking up a few times in middle of the night, also had joint pains. So I stopped taking Actonel and now 1 1/2 months later I am finally rid of stomach cramps so I am sure it was the medication. I don't know what I should do now as I read that Actonel is proven to work for Osteo and is about the best. | F | 57 | 2 months | 7/5/2009 | 1 | osteopenia/osteoporosis | My doctor gave me some samples of Actonel to take once a week. After taking it for two or three weeks, I was so dizzy when I got up in the morning I almost fell into a chest of drawers. When I lay down at night, my head would just swim. I could not figure it out until my sister asked me if I was on any new meds and then I knew. I quit taking Actonel immediately and returned to normal. I plan to do lots of walking and resistant training exercises instead. | F | 77 | 3 weeks | 7/5/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | Choking/swallowing difficulties, SEVERE Joint pain | I feel so stupid. I am an RN who started this med 7/06 after completing a 2year course of Forteo. Went on a vacation in August and thought I had fractured my wrist although I couldn't remember doing anything-just so painful. In 11/06, was sent to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis. Since then I have had horrible joint pain and have tried numerous dangerous and expensive meds. For the last 6 months, injectable Enbrel as well as methotrexate. After a choking episode in May, my Actonel was stopped and after 1 month, my joint pain was almost nonexistent. I went back to the rheumatologist who was angry that I wanted to stop all my other meds. However at this point, I walk like I used to-something that I would have never thought possible after the past 3 years. I am angry!!! and believe this med is responsible. I will be monitoring the next few months and am only taking a calcium supplement at this time. Has anyone else ever had an experience like this? | F | 55 | 3 years | 7/2/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | I took the weekly dose, but last summer my Dr. put me on the monthly pill. Initially, it gave me diarrhea, so I just didn't eat much for about 3 days. After taking a monthly pill on May 31, I developed debilitating lower back pain. The pain in my hips and back would wake me up at night; I couldn't find a comfortable position and could barely get out of bed. My daughter said I walked like an old woman, but I continued to take a mile walk in the AM trying to oxygenate the tissues. The pain would subside by late afternoon, but then I had to face laying down again. I spoke with a pharmacist, who called my Dr. & am going back to the monthly dose--but today the pain is just as bad and I cannot face the thought of putting more of this med in my body. I also have not been able to lose any weight despite severely curtailing food intake--1 month to lose 2 pounds! Never considered this as a side effect until reading this site. | How long does the back pain last? I am still teaching and am wasting my vacation! It is depressing to not be able to do anything I planned. I see on a previous post someone was still hurting after 4 months.......I hope I won't be the same! | F | 63 | 11 months | 6/30/2009 | 4 | osteoporosis -5.1 lumbar spine | none | I tried daily Fosamax first, but it gave me strange tinglings in my jaw bone and I was worried about jaw osteocrenosis. I requested that my doctor prescribe Actonel instead. I was concerned about taking a monthly dose as I had heard of many patients experiencing horrible side effects. So, I convinced my doctor to try the daily dose at first...it had no side effects. I was willing to try the weekly dose one month ago, and still no side effects. I will be sure not to try the monthly dose...seems that is what causes all the horrible side effects. It's only been six months since my last bone scan, so I have no idea yet if this drug has helped to build bone. I'm praying it does! | F | 47 | 6 months | 6/29/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | Rapid 20 lbs weight gain. Extreme muscle pain, joint pain, limited range of motion in shoulders. Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, exhaustion, overheated, dehydrated, insomnia. | Do not take this drug! I felt like I was dosing myself with poison for 4 months. My Dr. insisted that I continue even after several calls to the office to explain my side effects. I stopped after 4 months on my own, it was ruining my life. If I had continued, I would have started missing work, I could not function. I too, will take my chances with osteopenia. I take vitamins, calcium, Vit D, and watch my diet. Can't wait to feel good again and lose this weight. I am still having severe muscle and joint pain and have been off Actonel for 2 months. | F | 49 | 4 months | 6/27/2009 | 1 | Osteoporsis | Day after taking my first dose of the 1/mo.dose- felt s/sx: Nausea, then the diarrhea, cramps, no appetite, H/A, flu-like blaah feeling, started and has not stopped since,- this is my fourth day. When does it end? I've never had a c/c w meds. this is so frustrating. Wish I could take it back. Thanks for listening, hope this helps someone. | F | 52 | 1 days | 6/23/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | 3 days after first dose of monthly dose had severe, all over body pain for several hours and exhaustion, could barely stand up. Then crushing pain in chest, feared heart attack. Saw doctor, was sent to ER and admitted for tests. Determined not to be heart attack. Was told it was muscular in origin and get off Actonel. | Worst side effects ever. | F | 56 | 3 days | 6/23/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | Started taking Actonel 75 mg four months ago. I've had a reaction of high temp (102 +), joint aches, headache, upset stomach, diarreha, kidney infection, etc. each and every time. This is the last time - I can't afford to take off from work because of taking this medication. My doctor didn't seem too concerned about the side effects I was having. | F | 61 | 4 months | 6/23/2009 | 1 | bone loss | Took my first dose on June 2, 09. By the 4th I could hardly get out of bed. The joint pain in my shoulders, hips, back is almost unbearable. Also some chest pain, and stomach pain. I am still suffering the side effects... How long is this going to last?? Bruising very easly also. I wonder what other side effects may be lurking in the wings!!!!!!!!! I took the once a month dose | Don't take it..........got to be a better way | F | 55 | 1 times | 6/23/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis Prevention | I posted previously on this site with most of the side effects that other have mentioned. I wanted to let you all know that I took my last dose on May 2nd and as of the 16th of June the side affects are gone. It took 1 1/2 months to get it out of my system. No Dr. can tell me that it wasn't the Actonel 150 mg. dosage. Just wanted to say there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you should all feel better after going off the medicine. I won't take it again and will take my chances for Osteoporosis. | F | 70 | 18 months | 6/23/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | I am a 54 year old post-menopausal woman taking Actonel 1 per month. I've been taking it for 4 1/2 months now. (I have also been previously diagnosed with epstein barr virus which causes chronic fatigue syndrome). With the first dose I did not notice any possible side effects but mild indigestion. After 4 months I am experiencing fatigue that is far worse than usual. I feel so tired that I want to lay down & die. I sleep much more than usual, out of necessity. I also feel oxygen deprived, have on/off sweating (particularly right after dosing), increased back & hip pain, chemical taste in my mouth, on/off choking sensations and a lump/sensation in my throat. My sense of smell seems impaired and my vision has become very blurred since beginning Actonel. I feel as if I have a bad flu, taken poison or something that does not belong in my body. My doctor wants to switch me to Fosamax because I cannot afford the Actonel. Fosamax is not the bisphosphate drug of choice for hips | F | 54 | 4 days | 6/21/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | After taking one dose of 150mg Actonel- severe stomach cramps, horrible gas, fever, flu like symptoms, unable to get out of bed, pain in every joint in my body. Felt close to death for three days, Fourth day finally felt alive, not better | I would never take this medication again. Thanks to this website I will be contacting the FDA. This medicine is poison | F | 48 | 1 days | 6/15/2009 | 4 | osteoporosis | This is regards to the lady who is not sure she should take actonel that her doctor prescribed. | I felt the same way but I thought I would give it a try and if it made me sick I would not continue it. This is week 7 for me. So far so good. | F | 55 | 7 weeks | 6/14/2009 | 4 | osteopenia | With the first dose I was very ill (flu like) for three days and my body ached. With the second dose much less flu like problems but body still hurt. After several months no real problems. I did notice once I went on the once a month dose my body hurt some the day I took the pill but then I was fine, in fact as the months went by my body seemed to want the next dose, and I felt better after taking it. I have gained some weight but I am not sure it has to do with Actonel. | I just changed to Boniva, it is a preferred drug with my insurance company. So far about the same issues as with Actonel. I am a little worried that Boniva may not protect as many bones as Actonel. I' ll give it a try for a year. | F | 52 | 2 years | 6/14/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Continuous indigestion, stomach pressure, choking sensation....fourth osteoporosis drug - none agree with me. Getting approved for the infusion treatment. Been off Actenol since March 22 and still have annoying stomach pressure as well as choking sensation. | F | 56 | 2 months | 6/14/2009 |