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 | | | | |||
| 2 | Osteopenia | Tightness in my throat with trouble swallowing. My tongue felt swollen. I also felt like my glands were swollen and my ears were plugged. | F | 49 | 3 weeks | 11/18/2004 | 3 | Osteoporosis | I hadn't related the intense hip pain, particularly on the left side, until I read the comments by others. It is impossible to sleep on my left side, and the hip aches constantly. The right side also aches, but not so severely. My leg muscles are also extremely weak, particularly for the 2 days after my weekly dose, and my neck seems to be constantly | I am considering going off the drug to be positive of the connection to the symptoms I experience, but have not yet done so. I am concerned about the possibility of hip fracture without the drug, and so have been willing to put up with the pain so far. | F | 66 | 4 months | 11/8/2004 | 2 | severe osteopenia on bone density | I often experienced severe headache on the day of week that I took Actonel but thought it was important to continue Actonel. After a few weeks, I became increasingly fatigued with bone and joint pain but did not make connection. After 6 months, my jaw locked partially closed and I developed severe right hip pain that made sitting and sleeping difficult. My neck also became very weak and painful. I, nor my doctors,still made no connection to Actonel despite negative workup for Lyme, arthritis, Thyroid...Only when I stopped taking Actonel secondary to episode of severe headache with numbness into neck and arms did I find all these problems were related to Actonel use! Within a week off Actonel, ALL problems resolved- I am 100% better. My quality of life had been terribly impacted by Actonel... | Actonel may have beneficial effects for many, but be aware that it can have severe side effects for others that impact on quality of life...explore other options with your physician. | F | 48 | 11 months | 11/5/2004 | 1 | Osteoporsis | Joint pain and stiffness along with neck pain. Experienced severe leg cramps one night that kept me up all night along with foot cramps, tingling. Ankle and knee discomfort. Also experienced some swelling in my throat. | Stopped taking actonel the end of August and my side effects are starting to subside. I had previously taken fosamax for about 2 years but had to stop because of stomach problems. While on fosamax I had only a very slight increase in Bone Density. I'm going to continue walking 3 miles a day and getting my calcium from food sources. The side effects of this drug are not worth it. | F | 57 | 2 months | 11/1/2004 | 1 | osteoopenia | extreme heaviness and pain in chest. back pain that makes it very difficult to get around. took one pill. less than 18 hours later, I couldn't sleep because of the side effects. | will not take this medication again. my quality of life is terrible. | M | 53 | 1 times | 11/1/2004 | 3 | osteoporosis-spine, ostepenia-hip | I was warned about stomach problems, and I've been very careful how I take this drug. I stay upright for an hour; I wait 2 hours before I eat. I've stopped the pill for a week every time I've ever had even the slightest twinge in my stomach -- maybe 4 times in 2 years. I didn't know about the other side effects until tonight. I'm sitting here with my knee so sore I skipped swimming. I've had constant pains in my hips, sometimes a dull ache, sometimes so sharp I almost fall. Also had pains in my feet, ankles, and my knees. I've had my knees buckle several times -- just luck that I didn't fall. I thought I was getting arthritis. Itchy legs are a periodic problem -- I'll scratch almost until they bleed. Memory problems, fuzzy thinking. | The bone density test after my first year showed 3% improvement in the bone density of my spine, but I still have osteoporis in spine. But what good is this if I can't walk because of hip or knee pain? Bone density in my hip showed no improvement. | F | 62 | 2 days | 10/29/2004 | 2 | bone loss | servere pain in jaw and chest, I felt like I was having a heart attack | F | 75 | 4 days | 10/24/2004 | 1 | osteoporosis | Excruciating pain and flu-like symptoms, almost immediately which got worse every day (pain in all joints, all muscles; most pronounced in feet, back, knees, chest, hips, neck). Headaches, especially upon waking. Difficulty sleeping because of pain. Extreme fatigue and weakness--could barely walk. Memory problems-could not remember the names of everyday items. | After stopping the medication, it took two months before I began to feel some relief in all areas. Went through many medical tests (including cardiology tests) and doctors could not find a reason for the symptoms. I stopped taking the medication for financial reasons (weaned myself off during the last month), and discovered the symptoms beginning to disappear after about 6 weeks. Will find another course of treatment in a few months after I get all of my strength back. | F | 50 | 8 months | 10/23/2004 | 1 | osteoporosis | Joint pain & stiffness, soreness at base of breastbone, shooting pains in mid- to lower back and upper stomach, constipation, fatigue, muscle soreness, listlessness | Began experiencing symptoms within 24 hours...completely miserable for about 24 hours & then symptoms began to disappear slowly. Have taken only 1 35mg tablet and am dreading the next one because I'm assuming it will happen again, especially from what I see in others' feedback. Still notice shooting pains in stomach shortly after I eat, so I've reduced frequency and amount I eat & that has helped...or maybe symptoms were going to diminish anyway. Am glad this is not my imagination. Surely there is something else that can cause less body stress and not make me miss work? | F | 59 | 5 days | 10/21/2004 | 1 | osteopenia | Severe bone and joint pain. Back pain. It was hard to breathe because my ribs felt like they were broken. I felt like I had been in a car accident. Also, my entire digestive system felt like it had been burned with acid. All these symptoms appeared within 24 hours of taking the drug. | This medication may not have any bad effects for some, but I feel like I would have had to have been hospitalized if I had kept taking it. I only took it for two weeks (2 pills) and I still have bone soreness, joint pain, and have chronic indigestion. | F | 56 | 2 weeks | 10/19/2004 | 1 | loss of bone mass | I've had extreme joint pain, shooting hip and neck pains; knee pains; felt like someone sitting on my chest when I took a deep breath. Pain radiated all across my chest. I took 35 mg of Actonel on Monday and by Tuesday the pain started. It is Thursday and after reading the comments here, I will not be taking another one. I just hope the pain is reversible. . . . | In reading the side effects with the drug, I found joint pain. This is an understatement to what I and many other people have experienced. My OB/GYN told me to discontinue the Actonel and see my GP for the chest pain. After reading this site, I have a clear picture of what is causing my chest pain. | F | 49 | 1 weeks | 10/7/2004 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Lost partial hearing in one ear and started getting tinnitus and dizziness. It has been getting progressively worse. Didn't connect the syptoms to Actonel until I realized that the problem was happening in weekly cycles with the worst symptoms right after taking the drug. I have been off the drug for 3 weeks but still have the problem although not as severe. | F | 51 | 7 months | 10/2/2004 | 1 | Moderate to severe osteopenia | Ulcer, constipation, bloating, gas, severe pain in the right hip, lesser pain in the groin and back, dry eyes, fatigue, muscle weakness | I was treated for an ulcer and even though the dr. knew I was taking Actonel 35 mg. he didn't connect the two. I have seen my eye dr. 2x this summer for dry eyes, which was never a problem before. I've been taking yoga for 3 years and for the past 2 months the pain in my right hip has prevented me from doing most of the poses. I FINALLY looked up a list of side effects for the 3 drugs I'm taking, and the light went on. When I found this site, my suspicions were confirmed. Anyone want 3 months of Actonel for free? I've taken my last one. | F | 56 | 18 months | 10/1/2004 | 1 | Osteoporosis | I began to take the once weekly Actonel 35mg on May 2, 2004. After four(4) weeks, I began to experience pain in my lower back and iliac crests. This pain continued there for three weeks before dissipating. I then began to experience excruciating pain in my upper spine, neck, jaws, and head for another almost seven weeks. (I had to use heat and cold packs every night in order to sleep.) The headache was constant in its presence but migrating in its location. | Other than my hip fracture at 52 years of age due to osteoporosis, I enjoyed excellent health for sixty years. So, I thoughtfully made the decision with my OB/GYN to take the once weekly Actonel 35mg with high hopes of seeing significant improvement in my bone density. These side effects, however, began within one month of beginning the Actonel 35mg and continued for almost a month after terminating Actonel. I took Actonel eleven(11) weeks as directed. Perhaps coincidental or not, within five weeks after my eleventh dose, I was hosptalized and diagnosed with auto-immune hemolytic anemia. Later, during that same hospitaization, I was diagnosed with low grade B cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (for which I am now being treated). | F | 61 | 11 weeks | 9/22/2004 | 1 | osteoporosis | chest pain, feeling of bricks laying across the breasts. total trunk pain, especially ribs, neck pain, shoulder pain. took the drug once. will concentrate on weight bearing exercises instead of drugs. | F | 51 | 1 days | 9/21/2004 | 1 | Osteopenia | Increasing bone & joint pain. Restless leg syndrom. Back & hip pain terrible. Can't sleep because of pain. Vision gets fuzzy at times. | Is the cure worse than the disease? It seems like it to me. I am not sure I want to continue to take this medication. I checked out Fosamax's ratings & it seems to be very similar. My 76 year old mom has complaints very similar to mine. Thought it was just because she was older but found out she takes Fosamax. Now I know how she feels. | F | 56 | 2 weeks | 9/19/2004 | 1 | OSTIOPORIS | SICK AT STOMACH, LACK ENERGY. WENT FROM BEING GOOD WITHOUT THE DRUG TO FEELING REALLY BAD WITH THE DRUG | F | 57 | 8 weeks | 9/16/2004 | 1 | osteopenia | Side effects were JOINT PAIN to the extent of unable to sleep for more than an hour at a time, and then would have to get up due to pain. Tops of feet turned blue within a month of starting drug. Developed ganglions which after 1 year went away on their own. My hair stopped growng and my skin turned a definate grey color. I believed I was dieing. I am 40ish and I walked like an 85 year old. My ankle got so stiff and sore, but I kept forcing myself to continue, then an MRI on the ankle showed that there was ligament and tendon damage to my ankle. | The only thing that I found that could help with the pain through my 7 months of taking this drug was a cortizone shot. The cortizone would relive the joint pain and flu like aches that I was experiencing. | F | 43 | 7 months | 9/13/2004 | 2 | 0steopenia/near osteoporosis | lower back/hip pain | taking 35 mg once a week. back/hip pain hard to sleep. was told to continue taking for the month (have taken 3x so far)worried. | F | 56 | 3 weeks | 9/8/2004 | 3 | bone loss | not sure yet not crazy about all the side effects some pretty serious | M | 54 | 5 weeks | 9/7/2004 | 2 | Diagnosed with osteroperosis | Found this website as I searching for information on this drug as I have not felt well since i started it. Was wondering if was just me, but noticed other comments descibe my symptoms. Feel tired all the time, and started feeling depressed. Also noticed more back and neck pain as well as constipation. It's really decreased the quality of my life, but need to take something as my mother also has osteroperosis. Anyone have info on any alternatives? | F | 51 | 2 months | 9/5/2004 | 1 | losing bone density | I took my 1st wkly dose on a Thurs morning and by midnight I was having flu like symptoms, freezing cold, teeth chattering, bones aching, muscle aches. Now after 1 week I am having shoulder/neck pain. Not sure if that is associated with the drug or not. | The medication is just not for me but I wish it was because I have the fear of osteoporosis as it runs in my family and I am a breast cancer survivor and am in surgically induced menopause. | F | 40 | 1 days | 9/5/2004 | 1 | Metabolic bone disease | Back & hip pain, GI distress, headache, difficulty sleeping, blood feels like it is effervescing, blurry vision | I am a 44 year old male taking Actonel due to trauma-induced metabolic bone disease and severe osteoporosis. Side effects are equivalent to mild chemo - however; Actonel is a lifetime medicine. There are other medicine choices in lieu of Actonel such as a onece yearly injection. Your Health care plan may be telling you to tough it out - do not stand for that B.S. - demand a change in your meds! | M | 45 | 3 months | 9/5/2004 | 2 | osteoporsis | severe pain in my right hip area. After the first two weeks the pain increased. Thinking it was artheritis I was prescribed celebrix. Not wanting to take any more medicine than necessary I am going to try calcium with D and see if that won't correct the problem. I will see my physician in October for another bone density test. I took Actonel 35mg once a week on Saturday. | I am not going to take Actonel 35 mg until I see if the pain in my right hip area goes away. After taking Actonel once a week for six weeks I had difficulty sitting, sleeping, walking and exercising. It is my opinion that Actonel may have caused my problems. | F | 66 | 6 days | 8/28/2004 | 1 | osteopenia | neck pain, back pain, hip pain, swelling, head ache, general achiness | F | 51 | 2 weeks | 8/27/2004 | 2 | osteoporosis | I have difficulty swallowing, and burning in my stomach even though I stopped Actonel eight weeks ago. I am wondering how long these side effects last? | F | 59 | 2 months | 8/12/2004 | 2 | osteopenia | you name it ,I had it , particularly stomach , very weak and tired, and worst of all depression. I also feel itchy but the headaches have subsided. | I wish I had been told of all the side effects, I had no symtoms but now I feel awful. Since I have so many risk factors and a mother with severe osteoporosis I am trying to stick with it.hoping to hear from anyone suffering from symptoms. | F | 63 | 5 weeks | 8/11/2004 | 1 | osteopenia | Hot flashes, headaches (had very bad migrains the first several weeks), facial tension (as if all the muscles in my face are about to start twitching), VERY irritable (moods will change from one minute to the next). Had severe back pain the first 3 weeks. | I need to take something so I am trying to stick with this but the facial tension is extremely uncomfortable and a little scarey to think it might never go away. I went through menopause 7 years ago after a total hyst. so these symptoms are not change related | F | 53 | 5 weeks | 8/8/2004 | 2 | Because I am on prednisone | My blood pressure has gotten quite high for me (138/87) even though I am on blood pressure medication and I am wondering if Actonel is the reason (because blood pressure medication is called a calcium channel blocker and Actonel is a calcium | F | 44 | 3 months | 8/5/2004 | 3 | osteoporosis | Muscle weakness which made walking and climbing stairs difficult.My neck pain became worse. I was late filling the last perscription and noticed a marked difference in my ability to walk long distances again and climb stairs easily. If I had not gone off the drug for awhile I would not have known that Actonel was causing the weakness and knee pain. | I wish that the doctors would tell you that maybe it will make things worse for awhile. I thought I was going to end up with a walker or a wheelchair. I don't want to go back on them but what choice do I have. It did help, I went from osteoporosis to osteopenia | F | 54 | 1 years | 7/18/2004 | 3 | Osteoporosis | I did try taking Actonel once a week but went back to once a day and that seems to help as far as stomach irritation and bloating. | It's expensive!! and I don't have coverage. | F | 54 | 1 years | 7/18/2004 | 3 | osteoporosis | Bloating, joint pain, itchy face, | I don't think that benefits, if any, will be noticed until Actonel has been taken for at least a year. That's when I'll have my next bone scan. I don't like taking any kind of drug and am wondering if there could be negative long term effects. I don't think enough is known about this. | F | 69 | 5 months | 7/14/2004 | 1 | osteopenia | Increasing bone and joint pains, muscle weakness | Discontinued after 4 months of increasing pain in back, hips,moving on to knees, shoulders, hands and feet. Have been off for 2 months, but pain in back and hips continues | F | 52 | 4 months | 6/15/2004 | 5 | Osteopenia | Mone really. | I went to the once per week version and it is great. Don't have to remember every day. If your doctor recommends it just try it. Anything is better than weak and broken bones as women get older. | F | 57 | 3 years | 5/18/2004 | 1 | osteopenia | rash on face, itchy skin, flu like symptoms | F | 48 | 3 weeks | 3/29/2004 | 1 | osteo | bloating, intestional problems | looking for something safe and really effective | F | 53 | 2 days | 10/27/2003 |