Drug Ratings for ACTONELAverage Rating: 1.4 (1356 Ratings)
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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 w/ long term steroid use | overall stiffness, constant muscle fatigue and ache, and joint pain | I took the 150mg monthly tablet of Actonel as prescribed. By that evening my shoulders and back ached. The next day I awoke feeling fatigue and achy all over. My joints are stiff and ache. My collarbone and ribs ache. It's been 12 days since I took it and my symptoms haven't lessened any. Today my wrists and upper arms ache. It's difficult to raise my left arm over my head. It has been miserable. I am concerned about lasting effects particularly because I have Lupus. I would never recommend it, it's toxic. If for some reason you must take it, I implore you to start off on the smaller weekly dosage. | F | 50 | 1 months | 12/16/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | 12 hours after first monthly dose, chills, achey and painful back, neck, hips, knees, and shoulders. Debilitating headache, upset stomach. It has been 3 days since dose and I am still achey, lethargic and have a headache. | I typically don't read about side effects as I don't want to be suggestable. These symptoms are very real. After reading these posts, I am very sorry I let my Dr. talk me into this drug. I already have many dental issues due to soft teeth and many crowns, I don't need to kill my jaw bone, develope ulcers, or cancer. I will up my calcium foods, take my supplement and take my chances with a broken bone. | F | 61 | 1 months | 12/15/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Took the once-a-month pill in the morning. After dinner, developed heartburn, which became more severe as the night progressed. I hardly slept at all that night. I had chills, muscle aches, fatigue, diarrhea and severe back pain. Two nights later, the symptoms occurred again. This time they were so severe, I almost went to the ER. It's been two weeks since I took the dose, and last night the severe back pain, abdominal pain, and diarrhea came back. The back pain is horrible...the only thing that helps it is pain meds. (Over the counter drugs don't even make a dent in the pain.) | I won't take this again! | F | 53 | 18 days | 12/14/2008 | 1 | 12 hours after taking my first monthly dose I experienced chills, upset stomach and severe back, shoulder, and hip pain and a debilating headache that even Naprosen wouldn't help. | It has now been 48 hours and I am still achy, in pain with a headache. I don't read about side effects first as I don't want to be suggestable. I'm very sorry I ever took this Rx. Hopefully my physician will listen to my concerns when I call this week. | F | 61 | | 12/14/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | First day on the once a month pill was completely normal. On day 2 came the fever and flu symptoms. I have arthritis in one knee and had a cortisone shot one month ago that worked magic. On day 6 my knee was so swollen I could not bend it. Today is day 7 and my knee feels like it did post artroscopic surgery 3 years ago. | I am so glad I found this website because I am sure that my knee is related to the Actonel. All the work of strengthening my leg muscles and the magic of the cortisone are gone because right now I can barely walk let alone exercise. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs do nothing. If the only side effects had been the minor flu symptoms I might have tried it one more month. But I can't and hope I haven't sacrificed my knee to the Actonel. | F | 52 | 7 days | 12/14/2008 | 1 | Gyn concerned about bone density | Took once monthly actonel at 6 a.m. Sunday. Was extra careful to sit upright for an hour. Day uneventful until 8 p.m. Bach ache and muscle pain severe by 10 p.m. Next day muscle spasms so sever that I couldn't move ANYTHING that didn't trigger one. Labor pains were nothing like this. Family doctor thought I'd had a heart attack and sent me by amubulance to the ER. All tests were negative. Gave me a big pain reliever IV, sent me home with Rx for Flexeral and an anti-inflamatory. Life normal for 30 days. One month later, having a fresh bout of spine and muscle spasm attack. I am a healthy with no medical problems. | This Rx was not market ready! Curious to know if anyone else had severe muscle spasms as well as bone ache. | F | 63 | 30 days | 12/11/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia | Very painful and delibating stiff neck. Cannot move neck from side to side, head hurts when I lay down. Nothing eliminated the pain....heat, Advil, muscle relaxers, ointments. Now going for physical therapy and am finally feeling some relief although it will take many treatments since my neck is so stiff and painful. All of this pain and I only took the 150 mg. dosage once!!!! I also had very painful knees, and experienced terrible chest pain. I will never take a drug for osteopenia/osteoporosis again. | F | 60 | 1 times | 12/8/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Twenty hours after taking the monthly pill for the first time, I had severe fever, vomiting and diarhea. The vomiting and diarhea did not stop until I went to the emergency room for saline and two injections of a medication to stop vomiting. | My Physician then prescribed Boniva because of my reaction to Actonel. | F | 55 | 1 days | 12/6/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | Extreme muscular overall fatigue. Debilitating, burning upper back pain. Diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite, severe acid indigestion. Vision impairment, blurring. Depressive thoughts, crying. | I was prescribed 75mg tablets taken 2 consecutive days once/month, after a bone density scan this year indicated osteopenia. Did not notice any significant side effects the first 2 months, then started having extreme muscle fatigue, joint pain, loss of appetite and indigestion in the months to follow with an increase in the severity of these symptoms with each dosage cycle. I took the last time on 12/01/08 and I can hardly function. Achy all over with severe upper back muscle burning and spasms. The heartburn/indigestion was much worse this time around. Cannot manage my routine chores without feeling exhausted and the muscles in my back are on fire. Why isn't more info given to patients about all this before they are prescribed this medication? Will not be taking any longer!!! | F | 50 | 7 months | 12/6/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | severe neck,shoulder,low back pain, and fatigue. Cannot even bend over to feed my dog!!!!! | It has been 8 days and I still feel as if a train ran over me and drug me for a mile!!! HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST??????? | F | 52 | 8 days | 12/5/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | Took monthly dose 3 weeks ago and I am finally getting back to normal. Day after taking got terrible chills, head ache, every bone and joint in my body hurt. 3 days of stomach ache, like burning hole.My poor husband had to hear me moan and groan for days. Lost my taste. Sense of taste is still lacking. I took boniva for 6 months last year and had zero side affects. I really resisted taking boniva. I had bone density improvement with boniva but my Dr thought I needed more improvement,so he gave me sample of Actonel. I will not be taking any more, of any bone building meds. | My mom told me that my grandmother at 98 years old was advised to take intraveneous bone building meds. She did, and didnt make it to 99. My mom begged me not to take boniva or actonel. | F | 52 | 1 days | 12/2/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia | Took the monthly pill in a.m., by 4 p.m. was having chills and fever. Fever got to 101.2 by about 5 p.m. and stayed there till morning. Still have about 100 degree temperature 6 p.m. | My doctor said fever is not usual side effect and I should take it again next month. I probably will not. | F | 72 | 1 days | 12/2/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | by nighttime had flu-like symptoms--I'd not read this on the package insert for Actonel(one/month dosage); however, after having symptoms, went to web and learned I'm not alone. thanks! I was in bed most of today feeling horrible and that is just not like me. | One reason I came to the web is to see if the lower, more frequent dosing have fewer side effects, which seems logical--thanks for this site! | F | 58 | 1 days | 11/29/2008 | 1 | Onset of osteoporosis | Heartburn, reflux and jaw pain Has anyone tried to only take the Calcium tablets (the blue ones in the pack)and not the yellow tablet? Would that eliminate side effects and add enough calcium to prevent further bone loss? | F | 64 | 3 years | 11/28/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Muscle and joint pain, chills, nausea, dizziness, feeling faint, low blood pressure - 87/54, acidy & gassy stomach. | Took a once a month dose on November 1. Woke up in the middle of the night with diarreah and felt like I would faint right on the toilet. Next day woke up with flu like symptoms. Muscle and joint pain, nausea. The next day I had an upset gassy stomach and absolutely no appetite. As the days went by I eventually started to feel better. I started to finally feel myself this past weekend. On Monday evening, I decided to work out with weights. Just 5 to 8 pounds. I think doing that set off the side effects again. Woke up at midnight, and had the same flu like feeling as the first day on actonel. Next day my whole body hurt, no appetite and the nausea started once again. By evening, I was so weak, I laid on the bathroom floor, it was the most comfortable place and my blood pressure was only 87/54. Probably should have gone to the ER, but I couldn't fact that at the time. Yesterday, I started with burning in the stomach and throat. Don't know if now I have acid reflux. I've | F | 47 | 21 days | 11/21/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | Within 12 hours of taking the drug my bones were hurting. My knees starting hurting first but I ocassionally have trouble with my knees so I didn't think much of it. Within a few hours my hips hurt so bad that it was difficult to walk. My muscles and bones hurt so bad that it was difficult to sleep. I got out of bed with a terrible headache and felt like I had been hit by a train. The symptoms continued for a few days. This was my first and last experience with Actonel! | F | 50 | 7 days | 11/20/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | I've been taking the once a week 35mg actonel for at least 5 years. I attributed my bone pain, hand pain, and you name the pain to arthritis. I don't remember when all the pain started. My quality of life was getting so bad the last couple years - headaches all the time, ringing in the ears, burning eyes. Taking way too much naproxen, aspirin, tylenol all the junk (over the counter) that my internist told me to take! - I wouldn't recommend him to anyone either. My stomach suffering from all this intake so I would take as little as possible but was taking something every single day. I decided a couple weeks ago to go off the Actonel on my own because that was the only prescription I have. Today I looked up the side effects and got your website. What an eye opener. I hope to get my life back and feel good again. When I drive and get out of a car I can hardly walk. I have always exercised and wondered if I could continue. Neck aches/low back pain...on and on it goes. I attribute | M | 71 | 5 years | 11/19/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | After my first weekly dose, I experienced severe heartburn and upset stomach and the skin on my fingers of my left hand felt like they were burning as if I had burnt them. By that first night, I felt chilled like I had a fever. By the second day my left wrist hurt so bad that I could not lean on it at all. By the end of the first week, I had chest pains. After three weeks of this med, my ears started to ring and I discovered that my blood pressure (which was perfect to this point) had risen. I went to see my doctor and we stopped the medication, it has been almost seven weeks since I have stopped the med and my ears are still ringing and my blood pressure is slowly starting to come down and I have had to start taking Diuretics to help my blood pressure. The ear ringing is driving me insane and I have been to a ENT to get my ears checked and they are fine so I now know that it is from the actonel. My mom and my aunt have both been on this same weekly dose for a few years and they | F | | 11/17/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia | My doctor gave me a sample of the Actonel once a month. I took it exactly as I was supposed to on Tuesday morning. During the day I felt fine but within 24 hours I had joint pain and fatigue and no energy. Within 48 hours I had diahrea and stomach pain and heart palpatations. Today is Saturday and I am still fighting the stomach pains and joint pains. I will not take this med again and will take my chances with extra vit D and Calcium supp and weight bearing exercises. I will be calling my dr on Monday to report my symptoms and make it clear that I will not be taking this horrible med any longer. I wonder just how long it will be before I can get this med out of my system... | My mother takes once a week Actonel and her doc wants her to go on the monthly. I have advised her not to do that and stick with her weekly since she is ok on it. This monthly med is definatley not a good thing. | F | 45 | 5 days | 11/15/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia | I took the drug (the once a month version) about a week ago, exactly as it was to be taken. At first, I hadn't read the side effects & thought I had the flu. My whole body hurt, I had chills, headache, etc. It seemed to get worse each day. A few days after taking the pill I read the side effects & knew immediately I was having a reaction to it. A couple of days ago my chest felt like someone was sitting on it. I also have arthritis in my hands, neck & back. Those areas were worse than ever. I felt a little better this morning, but by night it was bad again. I'm wondering how long it will take to get this horrible drug out of my system. | I would never take this again & will be extremely careful about the next one I take. Every DR & pharmacist should verbally warn people about the potential side effects of this drug. This is not a simple headache, it's almost debilitating. | F | 60 | 9 days | 11/13/2008 | 1 | osteoporsis | general flu like symtons including nausea, vomiting, diarrea, joint aches. But also SEVERE and DEBILITATING back and chest pain. This back and chest pain is so severe I cannot walk, sleep, or work. It is impossible to take a normal breath or move. I had to go to the emergency room due to the the severity of symptoms. After 9 hours and numerous tests the doctors concluded my severe pain was a result of taking actonel. They gave me iv fluids and iv narcotic painkillers and then sent me home. They have done nothing other than prescribe me narcotic painkillers. No one can tell me how long this exterme debilitating pain will go on. My life has stopped due to this Actonel poison. My husband has had to take off work to help me get to the bathroom and feed me. Even the prescribed painkillers and tripling the dosing of the prescribed painkillers do not dimish the pain. This drug is evil and the medical community who prescribes it and continues to prescribe it to others cannot help me. | This drug should be removed from the market due to the severity of its side effects. I have had major surgery and experienced significantly less pain than this drug has caused. I cannot believe this is a government approved drug. Nor can I believe the medical community pretends to not be aware of the severety of debilitating symptons it causes. It truly leads me to question the U.S. doctors, pharmeceutical, and regulatory agencies. | F | 43 | 1 days | 11/12/2008 | 4 | osteoporosis | None | After being on Actonel for almost 3 years, my new Dexa Scan showed marked improvement in my numbers. Will stay on this as long as the doc recommends it. | F | 60 | 3 years | 11/11/2008 | 1 | ostio | After several weeks of taking the drug, I had a sudden onset of vertigo, hot flash, vomiting. brain fog. Was hospitalized. Did not realize it was caused by Actonel until the following week when I took another dose. Again, I had a horrible case of vertigo. It has been 4 days since I took Actonel and so far I am still dizzy with brain fog and hope the affects of this drug leave my system soon. | The first weeks of taking Actonel, I had no symptons. The last two doses have nearly made me bedridden. I have some relief thru head manuvers under a doctor's care. | F | 69 | 5 weeks | 11/11/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Within about 12 hours of taking my first 75 mg. dose, I started experiencing pain in my neck, lower back, ribcage, shoulders, hips and knees that over a few hours duration became severe and incapacitating. I went from feeling fine to being hardly able to walk, sit up or even move without severe pain. It took almost two weeks for the pain to resolve completely and even now, several months later, I still have flare-ups of pain in the same areas that I did not have previously before taking the Actonel. | I view myself as allergic to these types of drugs now. Although I worry a lot about losing more bone density,I will never take them again. They are poison to my body although I know some people do fine with them. | F | 52 | 1 days | 11/11/2008 | 1 | Degenerative disc | Aches all over. Painfull lower back, shoulders and neck.Swollen knees and a feeling of heaviness in my legs. Flashing lights in eyes. Esophagul deteriation, coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing. Bowel problems, lost 25 pounds. | This should be taken off the market along with all the other drugs in this catagory. They are poisen. | M | 62 | 4 years | 11/7/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia and osteoarthritis | Twelve hours after taking a 1/month Actonel, I felt like I had a severe flu. Every bone, joint and muscle in my body ached and I could not walk without being hunched over and holding onto walls or whatever I could. Symptoms continued for 3 days/nights before getting somewhat better. I still have severe neck pain & can't turn my head to the right; it still hurts my diaphragm when I try to take a deep breath, and my lower back still hurts, not to mention the low-grade fever which still persists. It's been 6 days since I took Actonel and am hoping I feel normal very soon. My doctor sent me for blood work to see if I have a flu or Lyme's Disease, but since I already had a flu shot about 2 weeks ago (w/o side effects), I truly believe this is from the Actonel since it coincided with my taking the drug. | I am a very energetic, healthy woman who rides horses 3 times/week, and have had to cancel ALL activities for almost a week because of this drug. I look and feel like a 90+ yr. old woman right now. It definitely should be given to the sales reps and the doctors who prescribe it! | F | 56 | 1 days | 11/6/2008 | 1 | Bone Density decreasing | Severe Jaw Pain! Unable to open mouth for dentist. Jaw "locked up", while swimming. I had to be carried out of the water. The pain made me cry! | My doctor told me today; without listening to my stories that it was "all in my head!" "Psychosomatic!!!!" Was her PRECISE word!!! My husband was present (he was the one who dealt with my pain and pulled me from the lake). We are taking the 150mg tablet, my doctor gave me, to a Hazmat Site tommorrow! This stuff is almost as dangerous as my FORMER family physician!!! | F | 52 | | 11/6/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | Did fine on the weekly Actonel. Dr. gave me a sample of the monthly Actonel. Took it 2 days ago. I feel horrible. I am so bloated that I can barely fit into my clothes. Lots of epigastric pain, pain in spine, chest pain, ankle pain, nausea, hand pain. I'll be going back to the weekly dose, which I did great on. | Took one dose of the 150 mg. 2 days ago. Have been on the weekly dose for years. | F | 52 | | 11/4/2008 | 1 | osteopenia per bone density test | chest pain, tachycardia, headache, middle upper back pain, muscle soreness, aching muscles | I took the once a month dose and I will never take again. I would rather have brittle bones. 50 year old female. | F | 50 | 1 days | 11/1/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Depression after three weekly doses. Went from very physically active, upbeat, happy person to teary-eyed, feeling as if I was sinking into a black depression. Fearful, anxious, sluggish, cognitive impairment. | Called my doctor and demanded to be put back on etidronate, an older class of drug. More of a nuisance to take (cyclical), less 'effective' but who cares? At least I have my life back. | F | 57 | 3 weeks | 11/1/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | terrible stomach cramps all the time,major stomach pain a couple of times a day and terrible stomach pain that wakes me up at night, gas,bloating,night sweats | had no problem with the once a week dose,got sick as soon as i started taking the monthly dose | F | 42 | 3 weeks | 10/29/2008 | 1 | osteopenia/porosis | Terrible bone pain in my upper legs; I couldn't sleep because of the pain. | This drug and others like it are primarily given to patients who probably don't even have true osteoporosis. After reading 'Myth of Osteoporosis', I am convinced that the diagnosis should not have been redefined in 1994, and that the bone density testing is done for the purpose of the pharmaceuticals. I quit the drug and know that my bones are strong even tho the testing results show my density as low. | F | 57 | 10 weeks | 10/27/2008 | 3 | Because of Arimidex | Weekly dose - no side effects. Monthly dose - swelling in hands. Joint pain in feet. | The weekly dose was just fine - no side effects. I switched to monthly dose in June and can document a side effect each month I took it. Last pill was Oct 10. NOT taking it on Nov 10th!!! Hope to relieve joint pain and swelling in hands and feet. My Dr. said quit Actonel for now. We'll see if side effects subside and I may go back on weekly dose. If I go off Arimidex, I'll be able to go off Actonel. | F | 64 | 4.9 years | 10/23/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Today I was given a trial 35mg dose of Actonel by my endocrinologist. I have Hashimoto (thyroid) which causes hair loss and bone density loss. After reading all the complaints, I've decided not to try it. I already have back pain and I certainly don't need it magnified by Actinol. Thank you for your comments, you've all been very helpful. I just wish no one had to suffer from this drug. I did find a website that shows your complaints as being perfectly valid so I listed it here. Just highlight, copy and paste the address in your browser field. drkoop.com/druglibrary/93/actonel-side_effects_drug_interactions.html | F | 53 | 0 days | 10/23/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | My 82 yo mom who had Alzheimer's and couldn't take up for herself had taken Actonel for sometime because I had given it to her. She passed away in 12/04, 2 wks after falling off her chair & breaking her hip. What good did this med do for her??? None! Dear God, I ask for forgiveness for giving her this medicine. Why, you ask? Because I have just recently taken Boniva and am suffering tremendously from this med. My mom couldn't express herself with words anymore, and I pray to God that she didn't have the same excruciating pain/side effects that I did. I'm sitting here crying just thinking about the pain she may have been in & I didn't know. We, the docs& myself, just blamed all of her reactions on her Alzheimer's disease. "Mom, I beg for your forgiveness. You know I never purposely gave you anything to hurt you. I am SO SORRY if this med made you feel sick, I did not know. I pray you are happy in Heaven now." | Actonel and other bone meds that are on the market should be outlawed. Please, PLEASE, DO NOT take this med or give it to anyone else. I'm going to the website suggested here to file a complaint to the drug companies. | F | 55 | 1 years | 10/21/2008 | 1 | osteoperosis | Severe pain in back between shoulder blades,starting day after I took the once a month pill, then a week later my wrist felt like it was broken, lots of pain with this pill. | F | 59 | 7 days | 10/21/2008 | 1 | osteoprosis | Extremely tired, short breath and oh my, the chest pain is horrible. I can barley lift my arms without sending a ribbon of pain around my chest. | I don't know how well in works in stemming bone loss, this was my first dosage. | F | 50 | 3 days | 10/10/2008 | 1 | peri osteoporosis | Took 150 mg dosage in the a.m. By the afternoon I wasn't feeling 100%, but awoke in the night with severe flu-like symptoms - aching all over, sweating, etc. By morning I could barely get out of bed. Now three days later, most of the flu-like symptoms have disapated, but I have severe joint pain in my wrist and between my index finger and thumb. I am having trouble opening the toothpaste!!! | I contacted the gyno's office yesterday. Nurse said she never heard of these types of reactions and I should contact my primary care physician. She is supposed to call me back later in the week with another drug for me to take. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I will go to the health food store, drink a gallon of milk a day and take my chances. I DO NOT recommend this drug! | F | 57 | 1 days | 10/7/2008 | 1 | Bone Loss | I took the weekly dosage for a year and was fine - Day 3 into the monthly dosage and I feel awful! Severe Stabbing pain in my sternum that constantly comes in waves and something worse that diarhea....Everything goes right through me - The doctor's office said just has to get out of system - (Ice packs on my sternum have been a little helpful) | Weekly Actonel is fine, but I've called the FDA about the monthly dosage - No thanks! I'm heading to the gym for weight bearing exercise! | F | 34 | 3 days | 10/6/2008 | 1 | advanced osteoporosis | Took 1 month dose. first: diarrhea (12 hrs), then upper gi gas requiring me to remain upright all night. Then generalized aches/pains in muscles and joints which have worsened over the last 5 days, along with fatigue, shallow breathing. Each morning I feel worse than the day before! | I feel like I ingested poison and now have to wait a full month for it to hopefully work its way out of my system. DON'T TAKE THIS STUFF. | F | 65 | 1 times | 10/3/2008 | 4 | low bone density | I've had no side effects, but recently have been concerned about taking Actonel. Two teeth have nerve damage, and I just read a comment from another person having tooth nerve damage while taking Actonel. I have had constant gas, but had attributed that to a menopause symptom. Other than those problems, the Actonel has not caused me any discomfort. I've been taking the weekly dose for about six years. Went down hard on my motorcycle a few months back, and other than a very swollen knee--no broken bones! | F | 59 | | 9/28/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | Severe flu symptoms, joint pain, jaw pain, eye twitching, chills, fatigue, wheezing | Agree with others that this should be removed from the market. I took one dose of 150 mg and was totally out of commission for 2 days and not back to full speed (busy lawyer) for 3 weeks. | F | 61 | 1 days | 9/27/2008 | 1 | osteo-severe bone loss | pain!!!joints ache everywhere - headache - faintness - all the bad things everyone else said, happened to me!! Why would Dr prescribe such a debilitating drug??? DO NOT TAKE!! YOU WILL LOSE PRECIOUS DAYS OUT OF YOUR LIFE IN PAIN. Going to Health Food Store tomorrow. Enough!!! | How did actonel pass tests as safe for patients??? Maybe Drs. should take this for 3 - 6 months & see for themselves & pay the high cost per pill out of their own pockets. | F | 66 | 6 weeks | 9/14/2008 | 1 | osteopenia | Within 1 day, pain in both knees with substantial pain and swelling within two weeks; one knee became substantially worse than the other. I became a hobbling invalid. It was not until three or four weeks that I made the connection of symptoms to actonel; symptoms dissipated over three weeks after final (4th) dose. | I am an active, athletic person who became crippled by this. My gp had no idea, nor did the knee specialist that I consulted. I have since developed a knee problem (torn cartilege on femur, edema in bone), and will have surgery but cannot definitely link it to the drug reaction as symptoms seemed to abate entirely for a few weeks after withdrawal from the drug. I think this medicine is overprescribed and dangerous. I took the once weekly dose exactly as prescribed for 4 weeks. | F | 62 | 4 weeks | 9/12/2008 | 2 | premenopausal osteopenia | stiff, painful joints and muscles, extreme weakness, nausea depression (because all of the above) | switched to Actonel about 18 months ago after being on Fosamax for 8 years (subsequent Dexa scans showed some improvement). My previous gyno said that once you start a biphosphonate that you can never stop taking it, which my endocrinologist said was wrong. I developed the side effects listed, which I had attributed to unresolved anemia and scoliosis. I had spinal surgery 3 years ago with a L4/L5 fusion (I'm wondering if there's a connection to Fosamax). Two days after stopping Actonel, my muscles seemed to ache a little less (maybe because I was expecting it?) but on Day 3, I experienced a horrible migraine, which is ongoing (this is Day 5 since I was to take Actonel). I'm only able to sit here and give my experience with the help of Xanax (to try to relax my stiff neck and skull), Excedrin Migraine, flat Pepsi, and a anti-nausea suppository to help with vomiting. When you have a migraine, you'll try anything to stop the pain. Is this a withdrawal symptom from Actonel? Anything | F | 53 | 1.5 years | 9/10/2008 | 1 | Some bone loss | Intense headaches, constant thirst, jaw pain, flu like symptoms, issues with skin on my fingers | I heard the only side effect I would have was some minor bone pain. I took the once a month 150 mg tablet on a Thursday and my intense thirst started that evening followed by intense headaches the next day lasting for about six days. On Sunday I had an mild jaw pain which intensified on Monday to the point I was not able to open my mouth to eat, any minor contact with the right side of my jaw would cause a significant pain. This is the sixth day of this experience and I still have a headache although the intensity is lower and I am able to think a bit clearer today than in prior days, the intensity of the thirst has also come down and the jaw pain is very mild today. The flu like symptoms continue, I was afraid to take any headache medication and get even more complications. I sure hope I feel much better in the days to come. I will discontinue taking this medicine and pursue more natural paths to prevent any additional bone loss. The after effects of taking Actonel has not been | F | 50 | 1 months | 9/10/2008 | 1 | bone loss | I took my first monthly dose 150mg on Aug 28 by the next morning I was chilling and haveing body aches from head to toe with my back hurting really bad, Later that night I was chilling so bad I had to have my son get me extra covers I was moaning with such discomfort, by morning I took the dirarea I was so sick ,but my son managed to ge me to the ER,I had a urinary tract infection, It took me afew days before I felt better then I got so bad in my left hip I couldnt even walk I went back to the ER on sept 2 the pain was so intense I couldnt even get on the toilet by myself, even now on sept 8th I am bearly walking with help of a cane most of the time. | I will never take this actonel again and I dont advise anyone to It should be pulled from the market. | F | 521 | 1 months | 9/8/2008 | 3 | pagnet | I am have cramps on my right leg calf down to my ankle at my ankle i get a pining feeling | M | 58 | 5 weeks | 9/3/2008 | 1 | ostopenia | Had taken fosamax for 3 years and stopped in aug 07. Took actonel once a week for past 3 weeks to give it a try. I thought I had a virus during those same 3 weeks with symptoms of continual headache, fatigue and various body aches. I happened upon this website just as a check on a new drug and was surprised to see myself described in similar complaints. Thank you askapatient! | Thanks goodness I did not take the monthly tablet. That would have taken even longer to get out of my system. I will continue taking calcium and continue good diet and strength training. I am even more motivated than I was before in taking care of my health. I do not want to take these drugs again. | F | 63 | 3 weeks | 9/1/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | I took this monthly drug (150 mg) only once and if I had the choice to rate this drug as anything other than 1-5, I would rate it a -100. I experienced excruciating pain in the spine (which is finally subsiding somewhat) and in my rib cage (which is still extreme and daily). I also continue to wake up with leg and feet cramps. I have experienced diahrrea, trouble breathing, loss of appetite and heartburn. | Prior to taking this drug I was healthy, excercised regularly ate healthy and felt great. The first day I took this drug, I began experiencing a panic attack so badly that I could not go any further into my home than the front door. This has continued now for more than a month. Some of these attacks last only a few minutes while others last off and on for days. During these attacks, I am terrified of being alone and am forced to leave my home. After researching on the internet, I came across some information advising not to take vitamins/mineral and calcium supplements while taking this drug. Today I didn't take any supplements and find that mentally I am almost back up to snuff. I absolutely would not recommend this or any other similar drug. Once this drug is completely out of my system, I will start back with my supplements. In the meantime, my exercise program and diet will remain my resources for staying healthy, thank you very much. | F | 61 | 1 months | 9/1/2008 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Severe back pain, hand pain - my right hand especially. I couldn't even hold a comb much less comb my hair. Some dizziness and my eyes would blur. I've always had low blood pressure, but last year it went above normal. I am not over-weight and I exercise, lift weights, do TaeBo, c/c ski, walk, hike and ride a bike. My pain has been so bad that for a year I didn't do much of anything. I kept blaming it on arthritis. But when I started getting indigestion and heart burn so bad that I thought I was having a heart attack I began to suspect one of the drugs that I was taking. I also noticed that all of my slacks seemed to be getting snug. I started to read comments on the internet about Actonel and saw that other people had the same symptoms. I've also had a lot of gas, constipation, dry skin and eyes and palpitations. I quit taking Actonel three weeks ago. Today I put on a pair of slacks that had been feeling a bit snug and they now feel large on me and literally fell off t | I took Fosamax before Actonel and it gave me indigestion, but not as bad as Actonel. Before that I took Evista. It gave me constant hot flashes and extremely painful leg cramps several times a night. I take calcium and vitamin D, but I guess I'm doomed to have broken bones eventually. | F | 67 | 22 months | 8/31/2008 | 1 | Treatment of osteopenia/osteoporosi | After taking only 2 dosage of 5 mg actonel meds, I begin experiencing severe and progressive joint/muscle pain on the second day. In fact, it was painful to step up, open a door, slightly lean forward, move my neck, turn my shoulders, or other minor activities. I became extremely stiff. | I immediately discontinued and would not recommend! The muscle/joint pain side effect is unbearable. I walk 3 miles daily, climb stairs with ease and walk when I golf 18 holes several times a week. Despite being fit, actonel's 2nd day dosage, completely incapacitated me and I could only come home and get into the bed (with help) where I tried to toss n' turn but it was too painful. Actonel should be pulled by the FDA | F | 62 | 2 days | 8/30/2008 | 1 | Osteoperosis | Aching muscles and joints all over my body. After sitting for only 15-30 minutes at a time, I could hardly walk when I got up from the chair. Getting up in the morning was greeted with nothing but trying to shuffle to the bathroom. My feet and ankles began to swell. Pain in my back feels like a dull burning. Feel like I need a cane to walk and help me stand up if squatting down on knees. This medication is not worth the side effects. | I started feeling really bad after taking this medicine regularly once a week, for 12 weeks. Prior to that I only took it about 2 times per month as I would just forget to take it. Now after a couple of months of aching all over it suddenly hit me that it could be the Actonel. Went to see my doctor and told her my symptoms. She said to discontinue and is now running blood/urine tests to make sure there's not something else more serious like bone cancer, kidney failure, liver disease causing the pain. Gee that's comforting. Wonder how much all of these tests will cost? Perhaps we should ask the maker of the drug to pay for these tests and the pain it appears to be causing a lot of otherwise fairly healthy baby boomers. No more for me, I'll take my chances. | F | 57 | 12 months | 8/28/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | 1st day flu symptoms and body aches lasting 2 days. 1 week later, left hip hurt so much I limped, also ache under left rib cage. | It works I guess, but I'm afraid of how it made me feel. I took the 1 a month dose......is there less problems with the 1 a week pills? | F | 63 | 9 days | 8/26/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | I felt fine after i took it but woke up at 2AM with severe back pain-thought I had just slept in an uncomfortable position. Suddenly, I started to feel like I was going to faint and sweated so profusely. This morning, the back pain, mostly on the right side continues- I am very stiff. I am so upset- I have started running this summer and was really feeling fantastic- and now can't imagine trying to exercise. | I am a healthy woman- always have been and never had any problems with any prescription medications of any kind. I am upset that my doctor prescribed this so quickly and never said anything about side effects. And the price is outrageous even with my prescription plan. I am stunned to read all the negative reports here. Pleasd don't take this. | F | 52 | 1 days | 8/24/2008 | 1 | Osteoporsis | Boniva: After 6 months: On-set of severe joint, muscle, right shoulder stiff, arm soar inside bones hurt,couldn't lay on either side of my body due to severe pain in hips and shoulders. Could not sit in the evening only lay on back. Tylonel did nothing for the pain, Ibuprofen helped some but not enough. Doc and I deceided too strong. NEXT Actonel 35mg 1/week: After 5 months same reaction as above. It's time to get off this body killer medicine and get into the sunshine 15 minutes a day for Vtm D and eat well plus walk daily and get back to the gym as soon as my joints stop hurting. If you are reading this and wonder if you should start this medicine you should know we are all telling you NO NO NO NO. | The next time any doctor trys to give me a pill to take, they'll have to take it for a month first so I can get their reaction. Also I want to see the drug reaction list before I get it filled. | F | 62 | 1 years | 8/22/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia | Doctor gave me a sample of 150 mg once a month dose. Took the pill morning of Aug 13th, follow instructions,didn't feel anything but at night time woke up with flu like symptom with chills, had to cover myself with blanket. Then woke up again early morning at 6AM feeling so hot, had to scream at my husband to turn on the aircon back again. My whole body aches particularly my back. Up to these days I have to massage my back with muscle pain reliever. Then two nights ago, my gums started bleeding and jaw pain, I can hardly open my mouth to chew food. I just had dental checkup and my dentist said I have very healthy gums. All of this I attributed to Actonel. The only thing that I feel favorably happened to me after taking this med was the pain on my upper thigh which was caused by groin pulled muscle seems to deminish. I suffered this pain for 3 months and wonder if this was due to Actonel or by the other pain medicine, NAPROXENE. | I will suggest to my doctor to switch me to EVISTA, which I took 2 years with no side effects. I stopped taking it and since I switched doctors, gave me ACTONEL instead. | F | 59 | 1 times | 8/21/2008 | 1 | Osteo | aching all over-back ache- neck ache, flu like weakness, heartburn. | Today was my first dose--can't believe how lousy I feel. Perfectly fine this am but as the day wore on--weak and heading for bed. I will call my physician in the am. Will seek an alternative. | F | 57 | 1 days | 8/20/2008 | 1 | OSTEOPENIA , THEN OSTEOPOROSIS | I HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTONEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS. I DID NOT CONNECT MY STOMACH PROBLEM WITH ACTONEL UNTIL I WENT THROUGH MANY MANY TESTS TO DETERMINE WHY I WAS HAVING DIAHREAH, NAUSEA, NIGHT SWEATS, AND JOINT PAINS. THE TESTS DID NOT SHOW ANY PROBLEMS, THANK GOD..HOWEVER, WHEN I ATE A MEAL, EVEN A SMALL ONE, I WAS IN THE BATHROOM, I WOULD WAKE UP AT NIGHT AND SPEND MOST OF THE NIGHT IN MY BATHROOM. A FRIEND TOLD ME SHE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, SHE WENT OFF ACTONEL. AGAINST MY DOCTOR, I WENT OFF, COLD TURKEY, 3 MONTHS AGO. I AM JUST NOW FEELING BETTER, AND GAINING SOME OF MY WEIGHT BACK. I HAD LOST 15 LBS., I AM A SMALL BUILT 72 YEAR OLD FEMALE. I BELIEVE THE ACTONEL WAS THE CAUSE OF MY ILL HEALTH. I NEVER EVER WANT TO TAKE IT AGAIN. I AM TAKING BONE UP , A CALCIUM VITAMIN FROM THE HEALTH FOOD STORE, AND I AM EATING WELL, WHICH I ALWAYS DID ANYWAY. I THOUGHT MY LIFE WAS SLOWING, I WAS GETTING OLD. I HATED TO TRAVEL, HATED TO STAY WITH ANY FAMILY OR FRIENDS AS I LIVED IN THE B | I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS TRIED REPLAST, THE NEW MED FOR OSTEOPOROSIS, IT DOES NOT GO THROUGH YOUR INTESTINAL TRACK, BUT RIGHT TO YOUR BONES. IF ANYONE HAS ANY FEEDBACK, PLEASE COMMENT. THANK YOU. | F | 72 | 5 years | 8/20/2008 | 1 | Osteporosis | Flu-like aches and pains, joint pain, stiffness, headache, low fever, throat swelling, the sensation of something caught in my throat, coughing, nausea, chest pain, tingling in extremities, numbness in hands and feet, extreme weakness, muscle pain. | I have taken two doses of the once a month pill. I felt great before starting and had lots of energy. Now I feel like a very OLD lady. It is hard to walk, to open doors, to get out of bed. Second month missed a half day of work. My doctor suggested that I try Boniva but reading those comments it sounds worse. I think I will take my chances. | F | 53 | 2 months | 8/19/2008 |