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 | | | | |||
| 3 | Osteoporosis | First day of taking the weekly dose...no side effects so far! | F | 24 | 1 days | 7/28/2007 | 2 | osteoporosis | Joint pains, esp. fingers and wrists; headaches; burning in throat; trembling of hands; difficulty sleeping; heart palpitations; change in sense of taste - can "taste" some smells in my mouth; fatigue; skin growths | I have not had another scan to see if it is working yet. | F | 50 | 4 months | 7/27/2007 | 1 | Osteopenia | I've been on Actonel 35mg/once a week for about 5 years. The last year or so I've been having a lot of pain in my right hip and indigestion. I normally jog 3-6+ miles 2-3 times/week and lift weights (total body) 1-2 times/week and usually eat healthy. Last week I got a blood clot (DVT) in my right calf! I was put on Lovenox 0.8MG shots for a week along with Warfarin pills 5MG. Now I am only taking Warfarin and being monitored for changing MG dose. I also had chest pain...a CT scan revealed some type of cyst around my pancreas (close to my kidneys). I'm going to a new doctor Monday, but think that all of this is could be related to taking Actonel! | F | 47 | 5 years | 7/27/2007 | 2 | Osteopenia | fatigue, depression, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, muscle pain on arms and shoulders, Temporo-Mandibular joint pain, severe lower back pain which limits my movements and walking as well. | After using just one pack of Actonel, 35 mg per week for a month, I feel lower back pain which is aggrevated by my routin work. I almost have to quit my current job because of dissability to move, lift the objects that are not really heavy. Even standing on my feet has become a very painfull position for me. I hardly can tolerate my weight which is just 100 LB. I just feel pain and a complete dose of anti inflamatory and analgesics haven't been able to eliminate this problem. | F | 48 | 5 weeks | 7/23/2007 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Severe stomach upset, sleep problems, including wild dreams. Feels like my throat is on fire | Took the first pill on Thursday and had horrible nightmares every night since. My throat has felt on fire since Saturday. I also have extremely low Vit D levels, so I'm going to work on that problem rather than take this drug. | F | 51 | 1 days | 7/23/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NONE | BEGAN ACTONEL EIGHT MONTHS AGO DUE TO SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS I HAVE NOTICED AFTER READING THIS WONDERFUL SITE THAT MOST OF THE UNDESIRABLE SIDE EFFECTS ARE ON WOMEN I DO NOT KNOW WHY IN MY CASE I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT I WAIT ONE HOUR BEFORE I TAKE BREAKFAST AND I KEEP STANDING AND NO PROBLEM AT ALL | M | 63 | 8 months | 7/16/2007 | 2 | bone density -3.6 | I always feel like I am tired, even when I wake in the morning. Never had a problem with lower back pain until I started on risendronate (generic name for Actonel). | Prevents bones from breaking by making the patient hate to do anything. If you don't move, you are not likely to break a bone! My wife says that is like her fibromyalgia. | M | 65 | 5 months | 7/14/2007 | 1 | Prevention against Prednisone SdEfx | Back and hip pain severe enough to interfere with sleep. Sternum pain 14 hours or so after ingesting pill, following exact directions. | One doctor prescribed this to prevent bone loss from Prednisone, but it induced severe back and hip pain and my PCP suggested it wasn't worth the risk. I concur. | F | 52 | 3 months | 7/13/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | joints and muscles hurt, very tired and lethargic, pain in upper and lower back, severe stomach cramps | I took one dose of actonel (35 mg) on Monday and I still don't feel right and it is Thursday. Have a call in to my doctor to see what else can be done. | F | 1 days | 7/12/2007 | 3 | osteopina | I thought I was having a heart attack. When I went to the doctor he said chest pain and heart problems were not associated with actonel. I have also gained 7 pounds with no change of diet. The bone density test showed improvement, but after reading this web site I think I have taken my last tablet this morning. I have also had sleep problms which I blamed on menopause but now I'm not so sure. I am a 60 year old woman who is not on any other medication. | F | 60 | 4 years | 7/10/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | Severe stomach pain. I thought I was passing a kidney stone and doc sent me to have MRI. Urine showed no infection and MRI normal. | I took actonel 2 weeks in a row. 6 hours after the 2nd dose I bloated up like I was pregnant and had severe pressure in my bladder and horrible gas. Obviously I quit taking drug. Doc wanted to prescribe another and I said no way. After a week pain went away, then all of a sudden a week after I was pain free, I had the same caliber debilitating pain for which I had to take vicodan to sleep. I am so glad I found your web site as I was going to call a urinary specialist today, and now I won't as I see your feedback. Disgusting stuff. | F | 65 | 2 weeks | 7/9/2007 | 1 | osteoporosis | After 3 months I have had a bad two weeks: heaviness in my chest, trouble swallowing, heartburn, stomach pain, rectal gas, belching. I'm through with this drug! | F | 63 | 3 months | 7/4/2007 | 5 | osteoporosis | NO SIDE EFFECTS | NO SIDE EFFECTS WHATSOEVER | M | 66 | 6 months | 7/3/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NONE... I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT FOR SEVEN MONTHS NO SIDE EFFECT WHATSOEVER | I FOLLOW DIRECTIONS DO NOT LAY DOWN AFTER TAKING IT I WAIT ONE HOUR BEFORE BREAKFAST I HOPE IT WILL WORK WIHT MY NEXT BONE SCAN SO FAR NO SIDE EFFECTS EVER | M | 66 | 7 months | 7/2/2007 | 3 | | 6/29/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | Severe eye inflammation, with fluid under the eye surface, and eye pain. By the end of the week, it would be almost better, only to return the day after taking Actonel again. Also headache and minor pain in the heel of one foot. Interestingly, the eye problem and the heel problem were both on right side only. All complaints disappeared within days of discontinuing Actonel. Took Actonel for 7 weeks total. Severe reactions began after 4 weeks. | F | 68 | 7 weeks | 6/29/2007 | 5 | I had osteopenia. | None. I developed acid reflux a few months after I stopped taking actonel. It is unclear whether there was any relationship to taking the medication. | I took Actonel for three years. A bone density scan revealed that I no longer had osteopenia so my doctor recommended that I stop using it and continue taking calcium with vitamin D and exercising, especially walking. | F | 61 | 3 years | 6/28/2007 | 1 | osteoporosis | Extreme, debilitating fatigue, flu-like symptoms, painful muscles (especially in the shoulders, neck and feet, general malaise | My doctor, who prescribed the Actonel, was leaning toward a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It didn’t occur to him that my poor condition could be the result of this drug. My doctor, the pharmacist, and the leaflet in the Actonel package only warned against digestive difficulties as a side effect. After acute suffering for the past couple months it dawned on me to research the side effects of Actonel. I pray that the symptoms will not be long lasting or permanent. I plan to find a new doctor, use only natural supplements and see an acupuncturist to treat my osteoporosis and these horrible side effects. | F | 53 | 7 months | 6/25/2007 | 5 | osteopenia | No side effects | Bone scan after 2 years of taking Actonel,showed no further loss of bone,after 2 scans showing loss of bone mass over 6 years. | F | 60 | 2 years | 6/24/2007 | 1 | osteporosis | I was on Activa for about 10 months. I would have severe stomach and back pain, bloating, nausea and muscle aches for 4 days afer I took it and I finally stopped taking it after my right hip and left shoulder started killing me. I thought I had slept on it funny or pulled a muscle. It has ben 5 months now and my hip and shoulder still hurt and exercising, which is recommended for osteoporosis, is out of the question! My dentist recently told me that Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax, and other bisposphonates have been linked with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. Translation...death of the jaw bone. He has been treating a woman with this disease and has found other dentists that have patients with the same symptoms, which begin with numbness, pain, swelling, and eventually the jaw bone dies and pieces of it begin to protrude through the gums. My doctor just prescribed me Boniva, but after my dentist's warning and reading the feedback for it on this website I think I will pass and take my chances with a | Be very careful when taking any prescription for osteoporosis! | F | 42 | 10 months | 6/21/2007 | 5 | Osteoporosis | No side effects (always careful to follow instructions) | Took weekly Actonel for 2 years & latest bone scan shows significant improvement to the point that my doctor(specialist in Calcium Metabolism to whom OB-GYN had referred me)has taken me off the Actonel for the next year.He said lab tests(not just bone density scans; also complete series of blood & urine tests each year)show the Actonel has done its job of stabilizing my condition(confirmed by improved density in bone scan)& we will now monitor for the next year.He now has me only taking once-monthly Vit.D pill(50,000 units)& regular Calcium supplements, nothing else.After a year,depending on results of lab & bone density tests then, he may put me back on Actonel for one year or wait a second year before resuming.He said key to this treatment was balance, and is concerned that many women are prescribed Actonel,Fosamax, etc. by OB-GYNs or internists who are not monitoring calcium metabolic balance.Drugs of this sort actually stay in your body from 2 - 5 years after yo | F | 58 | 2 years | 6/20/2007 | 3 | OSTEOPOROSIS | DONT KNOW I BEGAN TODAY BUT I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM AND I SEE HERE OTHER PATIENTS WITH PROBLEMS SINCE THE FIRST DOSE | DONT KNOW I WAS AFRAID AFTER READING THIS BUT I HAD NO CHOICE I BEGAN TODAY AND SO FAR NO PROBLEM NO UPSET STOMACH NOTHING WRONG | M | 70 | 1 days | 6/19/2007 | 2 | osteopenia | I've been taking Actonel for 1 1/2 years with no side affects until 3 months ago when I began having pain in my right elbow (tendonitis)--a month later my left elbow started aching in the same way. After reading this site I'm convinced it's because of this medication. My hips have also been hurting for about a year but I attributed that to getting older. | I'm afraid to stay on this medication -- it's difficult to exercise and I know that isn't good for me either. | F | 53 | 2 years | 6/18/2007 | 1 | Family history | Pain started approximately 26 hours after my first dose, in my low back and sides. Within an hour I had severe pain in my sternum, like a cracked rib. This lasted 24 hours. Called the doctor, advised to hold off on the next dose. Not happy. | M | 54 | 1 days | 6/15/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NO SIDE EFFECTS | SO FAR NO SIDE EFFECTS I HOPE MY BONE DENSITY WILL SHOW IMPROVEMENTS | M | 66 | 5 months | 6/13/2007 | 3 | osteoporosis | UPSET STOMACH | IT WAS OK UNTIL LAST WEEK NOW I AM HAVING UPSET STOMACH | M | 60 | 5 weeks | 6/12/2007 | 5 | SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS | NO SIDE EFFECTS!!! | I WAS SHOCKED BEING A MALE VERY ACTIVE AND WITH A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TO LEARN FROM MY OSTEOPOROSIS.. DR EXPLAINED IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY THERE WERE TWO BONE DENSITY TESTS SO NO DOUBT DR TOLD ME I NEED SOMETHING AGRESSIVE... BUT I DID NOT LIKE THE DAILY INJECTIONS AND HE PUT ME ON ACTONEL SINCE 6 MONTHS I VISITED THIS PAGE AND WAS SCARED I TOLD MY DR AND HE SAID NOT ALL ORGANISMS REACT EQUALLY.... SO I GAVE ACTONEL A CHANCE I HOPE IT WILL WORK... MY NEXT BONE SCAN IS IN JANUARY 09... I KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED SO FAR NO NOT ONE OF THOSE SIDE EFFECTS NO PAIN IN THE CHEST, NO MUSCULAR PAIN, NO UPSET STOMACH NOTHING!!! | M | 54 | 6 months | 6/6/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NO SIDE EFFECTS WHATSOEVER | I AGREE THAT MAYBE THOSE PATIENTS WITH SUCH UNPLEASANT SIDE EFFECTS COULD BE THE RESULT OF DRUG INTERACTION OR PREVIOUS CONDITIONS NOT RELATED TO OSTEOPOROSIS. I AM A MALE 65 TAKING THIS DRUG DUE TO A SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS I WAS DIAGNOSED IN JANUARY 07 SO I HAVE BEEN 6 MONTHS ON ACTONEL WITH NO SIDE EFFECT EVER I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEXT SCAN TO FIND OUT IF IT WORKED OR NOT OSCAR RODRIGUEZ | M | 65 | 6 months | 6/4/2007 | 5 | Osteoporosis | The only side effect I had, was pain in the chest. Thought I was going to have to quit taking it, but Dr told me to take a Pepcid AC the night before taking Actonel and a Pepcid AC the evening of taking the pill and I have had no symptoms since then. | I have taken Actonel for 5 years and went from Severe Osteoporosis to Osteopenia, the start of Osteoporosis. I am very happy with my results. | F | 63 | 5 years | 6/4/2007 | 5 | Osteoporosis | Had chest pain and thought I would have to quit taking it, but Dr told me to take Pepcid AC the night before taking the once a week pill, and the evening after taking the pill. I had no more side effects | I went from severe Osteoporsis to Osteopenia, the start of Osteoporosis, so I am Very happy with my results. | F | 63 | 5 years | 6/4/2007 | 1 | osteoporosis | F | 54 | | 6/4/2007 | 1 | early osteoporosis | Chest pain, like a vice on my chest for approx. 20sec. intervals, intermittently. Never felt anything like it. | I have only taken 1 pill (the one a week variety). I called my oncologist as I am a breast cancer survivor. It was he who prescribed the drug as my recent bone density scan showed osteo in the spine. I am on arimidex as part of my breast cancer treatment. It effectively blocks estrogen which is a good thing as my cancer was estrogen receptor positive which means it requires estrogen to develop. Sadly, bone loss is a sde effect. I am only 45. My chest pain came two days after taking my first actinol pill. My oncologist said to not take it for the next two weeks and see if chest pain subsides. I contacted my GP and next week I am going for an upper GI series test, abdominal ultrasound and stress test. I want to rule out any possible existing problems over this time off actinol. Several people on this site who have had no side effects have intimated that maybe those who experience side effects on actinol may have conditions that cause or contribute to the sideeffects. Again,I want to rule | F | 45 | 1 days | 6/3/2007 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Attention! Get off this drug...there is a 100% safe natural solution to bone loss...it's NATURAL PROGESTERONE...do your research...you will find that Progesterone (NOTE: Not Progestins!...Progestins are synthetic chemicals created and patented to make the Pharma companies lots of money!). Progesterone builds new bone...Get Dr. John Lee's books What you Doctor may not tell you about Menopause...Or search the net...it will blow your mind how much information is being kept from you...www.johnleemd.com, www.womeninbalance.org...Please save your health...get off toxic maintenance drugs! Also note: Doctors are clueless about this topic...they were not taught this information...and they are brainwashed by the Pharma companies...It's not about your health...or wellness...it's about MONEY!!! Do not be deceived!!! | M | 43 | | 6/1/2007 | 1 | bone loss | achey legs, joint pain, eye irritation | I am a healthy female who has never needed prescription meds. A bone density test revealed "some" bone loss. After the second weekly pill I noticed that my knees and legs were hurting and then my eye became terribly irritated. I never associated that with the actonel until seeing this sight. After the third dose my legs were so sore I could hardly stand to iron clothes and that night the aches and pains kept me awake. I am not taking any more. I see my doctor in a few days to find out the extent of my bone loss and to discuss "natural" methods to help. | F | 53 | 3 weeks | 6/1/2007 | 1 | New Onset Osteoporosis | Facial, circumocular, abdominal muscle twitching. Low, substernal chest pain radiating to neck and across jaws bilaterally, and tinnitus. | I'm a registered nurse who was diagnosed with osteoporosis when I had my first screening bone density examination this year. The first couple of Actonel 35 mg/wk doses resulted in mod-sev joint pain in my hips and lower back, arms, etc... This was transient and went away over time so I didn't worry about that. More recently, within the last 2 mos., I began with facial twitching particularly around the eye on the right side of my face; some fasciculations (twitching) are also noted in my torso, tongue and throat. I'd been using Splenda and thought that perhaps IT was the culprit, so I cut out all artificial sweeteners without any change in the symptoms, if anything, they are worse. My neuro exams are negative for any sort of tumor or other disease process that might produce the same or similar symptoms. Further, about 3 wks ago, I began with intermittent substernal chest pain which radiates to and across my jaw bilaterally, also into my left scapula. I am seeing a cardiologist to det | F | 50 | 4 months | 6/1/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NONE I AM SURPRISED TO SEE HOW MANY WOMEN HAVE PROBLEMS I THINK IT WORKS DIFFERENT IN MEN | I AM TAKING IT TO FIGHT MY OSTEOPOROSIS I TAKE IT WEEKLY DO NOT EAT ANUTHING FOR TWO HOURS TO PLAY IT SAFE!!! AND I KEEP MOVING, STANDING OR SITTING NEVER ON THE BED I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECT EVER | M | 68 | 8 months | 5/30/2007 | 4 | osteoporosis | so far none ,i think. i started on it about a year ago . 64 year old male. also take crestor -for 2 1/2 years now . at first had arm pain when kayaking but i disregarded it and continued to paddle aggressively and the pain went away . cholesterol level down to 90 total from 230 ,in 5 months , but , had to reduce intake of crestor which i cut into 2.5 grams per day to bring it up to 114 .. due to negative side effects of low cholesterol levels, (mostly lack of interest in daily activities and lack of interest in exercising .) and asacol for ulcerative colitis,for the past 10 years , which may or not be the cause of the osteoporosis due to a lack of absorbtion of vit.d and calcium . but could be due to thyroid ?/,or ,the thyroid takes the calcium out of the bones for distribution due to the mal-absorbtion due to the uc. what i mess. .but , i walk 4 miles per day and kayak aggresively for 4 hours at a time ,,ride motorcycles on 4 weeks trips ,etc.... lately ,did develop a ra | who knows . it may work for some and not others ....... wish someone could do an actual count study of all patients instead of just a sampling . | M | 64 | 365 days | 5/29/2007 | 4 | osteoporosis | I've been taking Actonel for 2 years, and have not noticed any side effects mentioned here, except aching feet. My bone scans have improved. Before finding this site I had come to the conclusion to stop taking Actonel, because I think taking some prescriptions for life only beneift the pharmeceutical companies. I won't even start taking prescriptions for cholesterol. | F | 55 | | 5/28/2007 | 1 | osteoporosis severe | After taking the weekly 35mg Actonel for 4 weeks these are the symptoms I experienced. (I am 53 active and healthy and have no medical problems) I could not put my foot down on the floor without excruciating pain in my foot that continued. When I am in bed I feel like my body is being pushed into the bed with weights. Could hardly get up in the morning. Aching pain in joints and feet. Legs get tired after shore distance.After sleeping for 10 hours I am having difficulty getting out of bed. Before pill 5/6 hours of sleep was more then enough. Pain in hand and thumbs, hip, legs, neck cracking. Sometimes sleepless nights. Its hard getting up from the chair, everything hurts. Sharp pain in the head in back of the ear. Weight gain of 10 pounds in 3 weeks with no change of diet. Breast pain,night sweats, palputations. Bloating,. I feel like 90. Tried fosomax and had the same exact symptoms but also caused bad heartburn. Tried Boniva and had acid reflux so bad I had to stop that too. I was on | Be aware of all the symptoms before taking this pill.It is a fact that Actonel can exaserbate arthritis. Ask your pharmacy for the full packet insert for all the side affects. Stop immediately if symptons occur. | F | 53 | 4 days | 5/27/2007 | 4 | OSTEOPOROSIS SEVERE!!! | UPSET STOMACH TODAY BUT IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE I HAD NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, NO SIDE EFFECTS, BUT TODAY I FORGOT COMPLETELY THAT I HAD TAKEN MY PILL AND ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER I HAD COFFE, CEREAL AND MILK... IT WAS MY FAULT... NOW I AM FEELING BETTER | SO FAR I HAVE BEEN ON ACTONEL FOR FIVE MONTHS WITH NO UNPLEASANT SIDE EFFECTS EVER.... TODAY I HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT IT WAS MY FAULT... I HOPE IT WORKS BECAUSE I HAVE SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS | M | 66 | 5 months | 5/26/2007 | 1 | osteporosis | I have been taking it for some time and it helped my hips but I have had irregular heart beats and chest pain and I had no idea that the drug could cause heart problems. I would rather break a leg than had a bad heart . I have stopped taking it as of this first week of May when I found out what it caused. | There was no warning about possible problems with the heart | F | 74 | 4 years | 5/26/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NONE--- NO PAIN, NO UPSET STOMACH NOTHING | HUM I HAVE BEEN READING THIS AND SEEMS THAT WE MEN HAVE LESS UNPLEASANT SIDE EFFECTS THAN WOMEN. I WAS RELUCTANT TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION BUT A SECOND SCAN SHOWED SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS AND I DID NOT WANT TO RUN THE RISK OF A BROKEN BONE | M | 50 | 3 months | 5/22/2007 | 1 | osteoporosis | I haven't actually taken it... only Fosamax. And I had all of the same symptoms mentioned here, quitting after only 6 weeks because of the joint and bone pain, stomach pain, heartburn. My doctor has just called in a prescription for Actonel, but I must say I am very leery to start on it. | HAS IT OCCURRED TO ANYONE ELSE READING THESE COMMENTS THAT MOST OF THE MEN HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS? Can it really react so very differently in men vs. women? | F | 60 | 0 days | 5/22/2007 | 4 | osteoporosis | None so far | I am one of the rare young men to have low bone density. After 7 months, I haven't experienced any aches or pains in my bones, joints, or muscles. There has been no digestive issues either. I take the weekly pill early in the morning on an empty stomach and do not eat or lie down for one hour. I don't know how effective Actonel is for increasing bone density yet because I haven't been scanned since my diagnosis in October. | M | 32 | 7 months | 5/21/2007 | 3 | osteopenia of hip | Aching shoulder muscles. Unable to raise arm over my head which is something I could do without any pain previously. | I did get the results from my latest bone density scan and there was some improvement, but the Osteopenia of the hip still remains. I've decided to not take this pill, but focus on exercising. I realize everyone is different, but this is a great site to share your experiences with the effects of actonel. | F | 58 | 7 months | 5/21/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NONE I THINK NOT ALL ORGANISMS ARE ALIKE MAYBE SOME PATIENTS HAVE CERTAIN CONDITIONS THAT ARE AGGRAVATED WITH ACTONEL, WHO KNOWS... IN MY CASE SO FAR I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECT EVER | I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OSTEOPOROSIS SIX MONTHS AGO WAS RELUCTANT TO TAKE ACTONEL BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF SIDE EFFECT BUT MY BONE DENSITY WAS VERY LOW--- AND ALTHOUGH I LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE AND ALWAYS EATEN PLENTY OF GREENS, CALCIUM-ENRICHED PRODUCTS ETC THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HEREDITARY THAT IS WHY I BEGAN WITH ACTONEL SIX MONTHS AGO | M | 64 | 6 months | 5/19/2007 | 2 | Osteopenia/Osteoporsis | Pain in upper right arm and shoulder & neck. Took Actonel for 5 and half years. I had no side effects until now. It started out as a dull pain 9 months ago in right upper arm. I didn't think anything of it. | I now have muscle pain in my upper right arm and a burning pain in my shoulder and pain in neck . My doctor took me off Actonel 6 week's ago and I still have pain. She said it will take about a month for Actonel to get out of my body.My bone density did not improve instead it got worst. | F | 51 | 5 days | 5/19/2007 | 1 | Osteoporosis | I took the weekly dose for about 12 months. By the 4th month I had such severe joint and muscle pain that my doctor sent me to a physiotherapist. By the 6th month I could not lift my arms to comb my hair. I decided it must be the Actonel and took myself off it. It took more than a year before I could easily lift my arms; fasten a bras, etc. I still have severe dry mouth problems and dry eyes and bladder problems which I am sure this drug caused. | This is a horrible drug. I stumbled over this website just now. I wish I had discovered it before I agreed to take Actonel. I certainly will never take it (or any drug within its family of drugs) again. | F | 75 | 12 months | 5/19/2007 | 4 | osteopenia | None | I am concerned about possible side-effects after reading the comments posted. I have developed osteochondromotosis in my R hip joint which I have been told is unrelated to Actonel. Is it possible there is a connection? I started on Fosamax 9 years ago, had a break of 1 year after taking it for 3 years and then had a marked drop in bone density. I then commenced on Actonel which I have been taking for 5 years. | F | 55 | 5 years | 5/17/2007 | 1 | osteoporosis | burning and stabbing pain in my neck, shoulders, back | ended up in the emergency room. took darvocette, flexeril, and ibuprofen for two days. actually considered overdosing on darvocette because i couldn't stand the pain. this stuff is dangerous. | F | 55 | | 5/16/2007 | 4 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NONE... but i am giving a 4 because I do not know long time effects but to tell you the truth I have had no side effects whatsoever... i think each organism is different | i was diagnosed with osteoporosis and testosterone defficiency and began aditional hormone and also Actonel 3 months ago and I was scared to death thinking that actonel would be terrible but so far I have had no one of those unpleasant side effects... i hope it will cure my osteoporosis | M | 67 | 3 months | 5/14/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | severe hip pain to the point of having difficulty walking. | I will NOT continue this drug. After just two doses, I am experiencing pain like never before. I have a call into my doctor but I have decided not to try another drug. The side effects are too much. My mother had osteoporous, lost 4 inches and had the hump in her back but at this point, I'll take that over the pain I'm feeling today. | F | 54 | 2 weeks | 5/14/2007 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Many sore muscles and a racing heart. Symptoms stopped when drug stopped. | I don't believe Procter and Gamble can be trusted after some I have read. | F | 59 | 90 days | 5/13/2007 | 5 | SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS | NOT ALL ORGANISMS ARE THE SAME IN MY CASE I HAVE HAD NO ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS I AM SAD FOR OTHER PATIENTS MAYBE IT HAS TO DO WITH OTHER CONDITIONS WHO KNOWS? IN MY CASE I HAVE NEVER HAD UNDESIRABLE SIDE EFFECTS | I TAKE MY WEEKLY PILL AS DIRECTED, WAIT ONE HOUR BEFORE EATING BREAKFAST AND KEEP STANDING, MOVING, SITTING NEVER PUTTING DOWN MY HEAD LUCKILY I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SIDE EFFECTS, NOR GASTRIC, NOR OTHERS DUE TO ACTONEL I HOPE IT WILL TAKE CARE OF MY OSTEOPOROSIS | M | 66 | 4 months | 5/12/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | After 3 weeks, I experienced strong pain in back and hip areas, plus headache and nausua | I am taking the rest of the pills and putting them in the trash where they belong. | F | 67 | 3 weeks | 5/10/2007 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Red, swollen navel, burning in anal area, sharp stomach pain and irritation (felt like someone was using sandpaper inside my stomach, indigestion, nausea, constipation, headache. I THINK these are due to Actonel. Did anyone else have the same symptoms?? Would Boniva act the same or did anyone who did not tolerate Actonel do better with Boniva. Please email me @ durangokid62@yahoo.com. | F | 63 | 3 years | 5/10/2007 | 5 | Osteoporosis | Have been taking weekly Actonel for 2 years. No side effects (careful to follow instructions). Bone density scans have documented improvement 2 years in a row. Previous yearly scans, prior to starting this medication, showed yearly deterioration. | My bone density scans showed osteoporosis in spine & forearm & osteopenia in hips. I resisted taking any medication for several years, until my annual bone density scans convinced me I was headed for serious trouble. (Family history of osteoporosis in Grandmother, Aunt & Great-Grandmother & significant loss of bone density appearing each year in my own scans before starting this medication.) Since starting weekly Actonel 2 years ago, two annual bone scans have shown significant improvement. I am careful to follow instructions, and have had no side effects at all. Very easy to take one small pill a week - wish I had started sooner. After 2 years on Actonel, my latest bone scan shows density back to where it was 5 years ago (had been monitored for several years before agreeing to take medication, due to family history). | F | 58 | 2 years | 5/9/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | I READ HERE PATIENTS THAT HAVE UPSET STOMACH AND PROBLEMS ETC AFTER TAKING ACTONEL BUT I WONDER IF THAT HAS TO DO WITH OTHER CONDITIONS OR PRECONDITIONS OR OTHER MEDICATIONS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTONEL FOR TWO MONTHS EVERY SATURDAY AND I TAKE MY DOSE AND DO NOT LIE DOWN AND WAIT ONE HOUR BEFORE BREAKFAST AND IN THESE EIGHT WEEKS I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED DISCOMFORT OR PAIN OR ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS OTHER PATIENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT | NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL I WONDER IF THEY ARE RELATED TO PRECONDITIONS IN OTHER PATIENTS BECAUSE IN MY CASE I HAVE NEVER HAD A SIDE EFFECT WHATSOEVER | M | 68 | 8 weeks | 5/7/2007 | 1 | Doctor insisted . | I awoke after taking the third pill with terrible pains in my hips and lower back. When I got up, I could not stand. Both legs were swollen and painful, my ankles were huge, and my feet were enormous. I had to hobble on a walking stick. | I blame Actonel for almost crippling me. I still have a swollen knee, although my legs and feet have returned to normal size after several weeks. I realize that I was feeling depressed because of this pill, too. I will never take another bone density pill. The doctdors know only what the drug companies tell them, and once again women are guinea pigs because they trust their doctdors. My bones had not changed in the six years between scans, so I don't feel I was at risk except from the medicine! I will never take another of these pills of which no one knows the long-range effects. | F | 80 | 21 days | 5/6/2007 | 5 | OSTEOPOROSIS | NO SIDE EFFECTS | BEGAN TAKING ACTONEL THREE MONTHS AGO I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AFTER READING THIS PAGE BUT FORTUNATELY I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS SO FAR I HAVE A DOUBT.. WHAT ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL AND DO NOT WRITE HERE? MAYBE IT IS NOT SO BAD AS IT SEEMS AS FOR ME I AM FEELING CONFIDENT IT WILL HELP ME | M | 50 | 3 months | 5/4/2007 |