Drug Ratings for ACTONELAverage Rating: 1.4 (1258 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from longest to shortest 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 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ACTONEL | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 1 | osteoporosis | Within 12 hours of taking the first once-weekly, 35 mg dose, I experienced extreme fatigue, aching all over, chills and shivering, and severe pain and swelling in the joints of both thumbs, to the point where I was unable to use my hands for several days thereafter. My doctor did not believe there was anything in Actonel which should have caused such a reaction. He did blood tests for such things as acute rheumatoid arthritis and gout, but the results came back negative, causing him to consider my symptoms a "mystery". It has been over a week now, and my right thumb is still painful and not yet back to its normal size. I do not intend to take another dose of this drug. | I have the feeling that nowadays drugs are being rushed onto the market before they have been proven totally safe and effective; and we, the consumers, end up acting as test cases. | F | 58 | 1 days | 12/7/2005 | 1 | osteoporosis, loss of bone mass | Took first pill on Saturday morning. By that evening had severe headache and neck pain at the base of my skull, running from ear to ear. By Sunday morning I could hardly move my neck. Sunday night I could not sleep because of pressure of the pillow on my neck. Monday morning (today) have severe pain in the neck and back of my head if I move my neck in any direction. I can't turn my head to look for traffic when I drive. I am very healthy. I walk , jog, garden, clean house, and work fulltime in an office at the age of 67. I am never sick, blood pressure is great. I only went to the doctor for a routine annual check up. She insisted on the bone density test and now insists on the medication to reverse bone loss. So, I went in feeling great, and now the medicine is making me sick. To the lady who says at 56 she is continuing her HRT, I would like to beg her to consider getting off estrogen -- it is very dangerous and now known to accelerate if not actually cause breast cancer. Nu | I have taken my first and last dose of Actonel. | F | 67 | 1 days | 3/6/2006 | 1 | osteoporosis | bloating, chills, sweats, pain in lower back, ribs, stomach pains, gas, cramps heartburn, heavy feeling on my chest. | This is a dangerous drug. I only took one dose and was shocked to discover how I felt. It took one day for the symptoms to appear. At first I thought I was sick. It took me a few hours to put it together. It is only four days later now and I am hoping the symptoms will subside soon. There should be more warnings about the long term side effects of this drug. | F | 53 | 1 days | 1/20/2006 | 1 | Osteoperosis | severe flu like symptoms, fever, my eyes hurt and feel like I need to rip them out of my head, low energy, fuzzy vision, chest pain, heartburn. Took the first tablet as directed at 7 AM 30 minutes before eating breakfast. Felt pretty good most of the day. Woke me up at about midnight in severe pain and fever. I don't plan to ever take this medication again. | F | 54 | 1 days 30 MG 1X M | 9/5/2011 | 1 | osteoporosis | This is my first time to take Actonel . Within 3 hours of taking it I experienced nausea, heartburn and stomach cramps. Fatigue set in toward the end of the day and that night I had a fainting spell. I could not stay up from a prone position for two days. Today is the 3rd day and I am still very tired although the stomach aches and nausea have subsided. I hope after sharing this information with my doctor we can agree on another plan of attack for osteoporosis. | F | 55 | 1 days 150MG 1X M | 9/25/2011 | 1 | bone density | severe joint (neck, shoulders, hips, knees, feet) & muscle pain & swelling lasting 2 weeks so far. almost incapacitated. also, general bone pain in thighs | 72 | 1 days 1X M | 9/29/2011 | 1 | osteoporosis | Took on Mon. morn 8:00 a.m. as prescribed. That night was up entire night, achy, hot & cold. Had almost 101 entire Tues. It's Thurs. now & I'm still achy in diff. places & predictably the doc said it's unrelated to the medicine. Well what a coincidence that I was perfectly fine till then!!!!!!!! She said she prescribes it all the time & NEVER had fever as a reaction from actonel!. Well really now! | F | 54 | 1 days 35 mg 1X W | 10/27/2011 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Took 1, once a week Actenol 3 years ago. Had severe enough pain to incapacitate me and was unable to walk or have anyone touch me. I am still having flare ups every few months with today being one of the worst. | F | 54 | 1 days 1 1X D | 10/31/2011 | 1 | Low Bone Density | EXTREME PAIN AND NAUSEA | My husband took one pill and BAM about 4 hours later he felt extreme nausea. About 8 hours later he was in EXTREME pain to the point where he could barely move. 3 days now and the pain is still unbearable. He will not be taking another dose. This medication is bad!!! | M | 43 | 1 days 150 1X M | 2/24/2012 | 1 | osteoporosis | Extreme pain in muscles and joints; ribs and chest hurt; could hardly move. Only took one 35 mg. dose; felt like I was 90! Had to use a cane to walk as my hips were too sore to hold my body up. Worst pain in left side; left shoulder was so bad I could not even move it; developed into calcified tendonitus. | Had to be off work for a couple weeks & had physical therapy for shoulder. One month later, finally feeling better. I refuse to ever take this again. Doctor still does not believe it was from Actonel! I am so relieved to read others reports, to confirm that Actonel was the problem. | F | 47 | 1 days | 8/4/2006 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Experiencing significant joint pain, specifically the left hip. | I have severe pain in my left hip after taking only one dose, which was two weeks prior. It hurts so much I can hardly sleep on my left side, and walking is painful. I'm only 49, and I'm concerned about my bone loss, but I can't live with Actonel. I am still waiting for the pain to go away, I hope it does! | F | 49 | 1 days | 11/16/2005 | 1 | osteopenia | Numbness and tingling in hands and feet, tinnitus, vertigo(onset severe and totally unexpected), most serious was an increase in blood pressure, also am having hot flashes and bouts of perspiring, not feeling myself, irritable, exhausted. These symptoms occcured after one dose of once weekly Actonel. Why is it so hard to find out about these side effects. I just recently went through blood tests, bp monitor for 24 hours, and brain ct with contrast. I was decreased on bp meds slightly because my blood pressure was too low. I have been feeling great. I took my first dose of Actenol 35mg. and within 48 hours of dose numbness and tingling, hot flashes and perspiration began. Fourth day after dose, I experienced vertigo and exhaustion. Irritabilty and the sense of not feeling wellremain with me as well as the feeling of being off balance(not as severe as vertigo on fourth day). I at first didn't suspect that Actenol could be the culprit until it dawned on me that Taking the Acten | The manufacturer of this drug should pull it from the market to resume testing and refining of this drug. My mother suffered from crumbling of her left forearm and hip from osteoporosis. We need an effective but safe drug to take for this disease. I'm crushed after my own experience with Actonel. This drug may be good for some to take, but far too many have suffered far too much to be ignored. This manufacturer is taking the stance that if they don't know there is a problem, it's not their responsibility. They don't ask for patient commments on their website or give a number where you can talk to a real person about concerns a patient has with this drug. They're lack of accountability says a lot about their responsible or should I say lack of responsibility to the people buying and using their product. Heaven help us because the FDA sure isn't. | F | 60 | 1 days | 11/14/2005 | 1 | osteopenia | I have only taken one dose of 35mg. and I feel terrible! I have joint pain, muscle pain, and feel very fatigued. I am also having difficulty getting to sleep. It's almost like I have aged 20 years! It's been 2 weeks since I took the pill and I don't feel any better. | I discontinued the medication and informed my doctor. I will take calcium and vitamin D and exercise. No more bone medication for me of any kind. | F | 56 | 1 days | 4/5/2006 | 1 | osteoporosis | 12 hours after a one and only dose I experienced horrible pain in my right hip and front thigh. Now, 7 weeks later, the pain is still not gone. I have seen Drs, taken pain meds, physical therapy, and am scheduled for an EMG next week. I was perfectly fine and very energetic before I took it and now I feel like I'm 80+ years old with no energy and can barely drive and work at my desk due to the severe pain. At the time, I was highly suspicious it was caused by Actonel and now reading other stories I am even more convinced. I would like to find out when this pain will subside as I only took one dose, shouldn't it be out of my system by now???? | F | 54 | 1 days | 5/17/2006 | 1 | osteoporosis & osteopenia | Took my first monthly dose at 7:45 am 12/15/09 as directed. Things seemed to be going fine until around 3:00 am 12/16/09. I had horrible chills and a really bad stomach ache. I was so cold and my stomach hurt so bad. This morning I have a fever of 100.8 but my stomach has stopped hurting. | After reading the other comments I'm not sure if I'll continue taking Actonel. | F | 61 | 1 days | 12/16/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis | ALL side-effects! Headache,GI upset,joint pain, bone pain, diarrhea,stiffness,eye pain,muscle pain | Only took 1 dose 150mg on Sunday,Dec 9,2009. Followed instructions. Took early in AM with a lot of water. Felt fine the first day. All side effects have been happening since. Thank God the explosive diarrhea happened right before I left for work because I had to take another shower. It's been 6 days and I hope this all starts to dissipate. I WILL NOT TAKE ACTONEL AGAIN! | F | 52 | 1 days | 12/12/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | Saturday afternoon, 5 hours after my first monthly dose - and yes, I followed the instructions exactly - my back and legs were aching terribly. As one who has had 4 major back surgeries, I dismissed this as "normal for me". At 3 am Sunday morning I had to waken my husband because there was not a joint, muscle, or nerve in my body that wasn't screaming and my stomach ached as though vomiting, diarrhea, or both was on the way. I was having violent chills from a 101.4 temperature. Sunday I was in bed all day as my feet and legs wouldn't hold up my weight (110 lbs), This is Monday and I feel as though I've been run over by a truck but at least today I can walk again. | I fear my physician will want me to try another dosage of this stuff. I can't refer to it as medication because I think medication should make you feel better - not like you're on you way to your grave! | M | 54 | 1 days | 12/7/2009 | 1 | bone density test | Every bone & joint ached, lost dexterity in hands, chills... but this is only the third day since I took the medicine! | DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. Go walk around the block, have a calcium chew, and stay as far from Actonel as possible! | F | 58 | 1 days | 1/3/2010 | 1 | bone density test | i first added my comments nov. 25 after being hospitalized for after effects from one 150 mg dose of actonel. i had every symptom all of you had plus a few you did not. i still do not feel as well as i did before the drug and i am so angry at p and g for their part in this and the doctors that fail to accept the fact that all of the suffering we have had to endure is totally due to this awful drug. my doctor said he had never heard of any negative effects that anyone has suffered because of taking this drug. that is just b.s. how many of your doctors said they were not aware of negative effects? just who is going to take the blame for possibly killing someone someday with actonel? am i right? | keep the comments coming to help others to not take the second dose if the first one made them so sick. tell everyone about this helpful website. | M | 65 | 1 days | 1/9/2010 | 1 | Bone loss | I took 150mg dose on 11/12 2 hours later had alot of stomach upset then vomitted. Felt better and went to work, 11 hours later, then the flu symptoms hit, I could not get off the couch, had fever, body aches & chlls. 24 hrs later fever broke, then nest day the stomach cramps and diarrhea started. This is 4 days later and has not stopped. Hate to go to far from a bathroom. I am very active person, run marathons, cant do anything with this condition. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION | F | 55 | 1 days | 11/16/2009 | 1 | osteo/bone thin post meno | next day after first dose woke up with chills, extreme bone and joint pain, fatigue, headache with a low grade fever thought it was the flu but realized that to hurt this bad i should have been running around a 101 or above fever and i only had a degree over normal | i will not be taking a second monthly dose/will pursue other options/do not recommend this drug as the side affects are awful and i am on my second day of missed work...somewhat better at day 2 but still hurt when i try to move | F | 49 | 1 days | 11/17/2009 | 1 | Oteopenia | I started the Actonel 11/23/09, by the afternoon, I had to go lay down and I fell asleep for 2 hrs - this not normal for me! Then during the night, I started with stomach cramps, which in turn started the severe diarrhea. I can not even hold water, as soon as it reaches my stomach~ I am running to the bathroom. I also have a dull head ache and chills. | F | 49 | 1 days | 11/24/2009 | 1 | low bone density | Took first and only 35 mg dose yesterday AM. Felt fine until about 12 hours later and then started with severe back pain and chills, along with constipation. Didn't sleep that night as every toss or turn elicited a yelp of pain. Chest hurts and slight pain in right side of neck. I'm writing this at 5:00 PM on day 2 and the symptoms have not subsided. I phoned Dr. this AM but haven't heard back. What I'm most interested in now is how long does this drug take to leave my system and restore me to normality? | I just blew $135 on a three month supply, but will be tossing the rest. I will also contact the fda people to let them know that this is not a good drug. | M | 61 | 1 days | 11/24/2009 | 1 | low bone density | See my post of Nov 24 (first time using drug and took 35 mg. dose and experienced severe chills and back pain) | Further to my post of Nov 24, it took a full 5 days before the back pain disappeared. Obviously I won't be taking any more Actonel. I pity the people who took a 150 mg. dose. | M | 61 | 1 days | 12/2/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | After one dose of monthly Actonel I have horrific chest pain that goes into my back. It is like a super spasm and it hurts to breath. I know for a fact it is Actonel because I tried to take the daily dose several years back and it did the same thing. After a few days it was gone, I discontinued of course. I have been afraid to try but gave in yesterday,1/18/2010. By 6am this morning,1/19/2010 the pain was there. I don't know how long this will stay in my system. I should have known better after taking Chantix with now life long effects. | Please don't take this medication. You do not want this pain. How can it still be out there with such horrible stories? | F | 54 | 1 days | 1/19/2010 | 1 | osteoporosis | I took the first dose,150mg in the am, by afternoon I had back pain. I woke up at 2am in SEVERE pain, could not move or walk because of the horrific pain and spasms from my mid back. My husband called 911 and the emergency room MD did a EKG and x-ray of my spine. I have been out of work for three days, taking muscle relaxants and pain medication. I have never experienced such intense pain even during natuural child birth. | I threw away the medication and would not recommend this drug to anyone. | F | 64 | 1 days | 8/18/2009 | 1 | Osteopenia | Nausea started about 5 hrs after taking the 150 mg pill (first time). Less than 24 hrs after taking the 150 mg pill, I was on the phone with the doctor to see if I could get my stomach pumped to get the drug out of my system. The pain was unbearable. My doctor said it is only the flu and will pass in 3-4 days, and to take over the counter meds for nausea, pain & diarrhea. | Day 2, no energy, nausea still there, but not as bad as last night. Back pain is not subsiding. Stomach feels like it was punched. | F | 50 | 1 days | 8/18/2009 | 1 | Bone loss | Severe flu-like symptoms with fever, joint pain, muscle pain, and muscle cramps. Uncontrollable chills, but my skin was hot to the touch. This started 18 hours after taking the pill and lasted 24 hours. Some stomach pain with mild diarrhea | The day after that I broke out in a rash with blisters--very itchy despite repeated doses of benedryl, and I had difficulty swallowing. Almost went to the ER. Will call doctor tomorrow about possible cortisone shot if rash is still present. | F | 55 | 1 days | 9/1/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | everyone listed ! SEVERE uncontrollable diareah, major joint pain, muscle aches. ended up in ER on IV and anti inflamatory. | DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG! I have arthritis, reynauds, fibromyalgia, possible lupus. I want to know if other people with auto immune diseases have had long lasting effects from taking this drug.I did file a report with FDA and will phone P and G. | F | 58 | 1 days | 8/27/2009 | 1 | Osteoperosis | Started taking 1 month dose of 150 mg of Actonel 9/1/09 6:30 a.m. At 10:00 p.m. severe flu like symptoms started. Chills, fever, sweats, stomach upset. Took Tylenol & Pepto @ 10 p.m. and then again @ 2:00 a.m. because I was still awake. I had to keep stretching my legs because they ached so bad. Fell asleep and woke back up @ 4:00 a.m. because of the aches in my legs - laid there until 6 - took more pepto and Midol to help the aches it my legs. The pain subsided a little and I fell back asleep at around 7:30 a.m. and slept until 12:30 - had to miss work that day because I was so lethargic. Did not eat anything that day - had no appetite. It's now 9/4 2:00 p.m.and for the 1st time am able to eat something little. | Will not take a 2nd dose next month. Don't want to chance having to go thru 3 days of pain - let alone the possible side effects years down the road. I think before the doctors are able to prescribe this type of new medication - they should all have to endure what we have endured - along with the FDA approval panel. | F | 54 | 1 days | 9/4/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | I took the pill for first time on a Saturday morning. That night I woke up with extreme pain in my chest, left arm, and shoulder. The next morning when I woke up I felt like I had the worst case of Flu. Every bone in my body hurt for 2 days. Later that week I started having trouble getting my pills down. I felt like my food was getting stuck in my esophegus. After a couple of weeks with no relief, went to my Dr. and had to have a EGD. Now I have a hiatal hernia and Gerd. Still having trouble getting pills down. Will never take it again. | I would not recommend Actonel to anyone. I wish my Dr. would have gone over the side affects with me. She just thinks I'm allergic to it. | F | 58 | 1 days | 9/24/2009 | 1 | bone thinning | severe pain in joints, difficulty walking, flu-like symptons. Pain lasted for approximately 3 weeks. Taking 1 month pill - will never take again. Reported to pharmacy, dr. | Do not take drugs often - this hit me so hard would not recommend to anyone and believe it should be removed from distribution. | F | 65 | 1 days | 9/22/2009 | 1 | Ostopenia | I'm so glad to find this website to validate that Actonel produced the side effects I felt last Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. When I reported the terrible side effects -- major flu-like symptoms, sweats, freezing cold chills (in the heat of Houston's summer!) and wooziness - he was in dismay that he'd never heard anything reported like this before. Luckily it was Labor Day weekend and I didn't have to go to work the next day (not exactly how I wanted to spend my vacation, though.) There's no way I'm taking this pill a second time and risk going through what I went through again. | I took the pill at 6 a.m. and was fine until evening -- 6:30 p.m. or so I started feeling head-achy when out with husband and friends. By 11:30 p.m. at home, I started getting severe chills -- was freezing cold. My husband literally had to wrap me in blankets in bed to try to warm me up. Then I got the sweats and was dizzy. I didn't sleep well at all -- like when you have the flu -- was up about three times during the night and virtually cursing my doctor as to why he didn't give me an alternative to taking this drug. I was mad at myself that I didn't read the Actonel brochure until AFTER I'd swallowed the pill. Then again, I do what my doctor says to do and that was to take this thing. Anyway, I awoke at 7 a.m., feeling better, but dizzy when I got out of bed and stood up. I went back to sleep till about 9 a.m. and fortunately, the wooziness had gone away and I began to feel that I had "control" over my body again. It was so exhiliarating! So far, I haven't felt any other effects. I called my doctor's office to report this to his nurse. My doctor was very unapologetic and said he'd never heard of such a response to the drug and questioned me if I'd had anything to drink that night, etc. (All I drank with dinner was water because I was head achy.) He finally agreed that I should stop taking the drug and continue with Calcium D tablets and exercise. BTW, check out NY Times article in Sept. 8 "Science" section about overprescribing of drugs fo | F | 54 | 1 days | 9/9/2009 | 1 | Bone Loss | I took the medication in the morning as directed (once a month )for the first time, after one hour I had a headache and felt very tired until late evening at about 9pm I got severe chills, neck pain, lower back pain, in addition all my joints were hurting, I experienced the same as a previous comment which was that I was freezing cold and could not get out of bed. My husband also had to wrap me in blankets and heating pads to warm me up, this lasted about 2 hours. I couldnt get out of bed because I was so disoriented. All night I was breaking out in cold sweats and had extreme pain throughout my body. thought maybe I had caught the flu but when I took flu medicine and It didnt do anything, my husband read the side effects and we realized that it was the medicine. Was in bed for 3 days. Maybe we all should bill Proctor & Gamble for Wages Lost for not being able to go to work and pain and suffering??? I called my doctor and she was going to check to see what other alternative I shoul | Do not take this medicine "Actenol",, the side effects are not worth it. Best to take the oscal 500+vit D and I will look for a more natural alternative to work with the Oscal instead of the Actenol. | F | 51 | 1 days | 9/28/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Tiredness, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, extreme chills, fever, vomiting, bone pain, musle pain, sleeplessness, lack of appetite | Results from a bone density scan revealed a level of osteoporosis; resulting in the recommendation to take actonel. Following the instructions, I took my first monthly tablet of 150mg in the early morning. Later in the evening, began the uncontrollable chills, fever and the strangest and very frightening flu-like symptoms. In addition, neck, ear, shoulder, sternum pain. Difficulty breathing, vomiting, equilabrium problem, inability to sleep, anxiety. This lasted 2 days. I would also like to add, my primary care physician prescribed the actonel (actually gave me samples). First, I would recommend seeing a specialist if diagnosed with osteoporosis--and get a second opinion. Next, I would not recommend actonel. The published side-effects address the most common ones and not these extreme ones. | F | 50 | 1 days | 10/11/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | flu syntoms, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness. lethargic, fever, chills, anxiety | Following my post on 10/11, I'm on day three of the syntoms. The fever and chills have subsided as well as the neck, back, shoulder, sternum, ear pain. Now I am experiencing anxiety, depression, eye irritation. Sleeplessness continues and the lethargy. I too ask how severe is my osteoporosis and how easy the doctors prescribe the medications. Since my 30s I have taken a daily supplement caltrate with vit. D. For the past year, I have added fish oil, vit. E. I exercise regularly...I am very upset that I ever put this drug in my body and cannot wait for it to cycle out. I also rang the doctor who presecribed the medication and thought I was simply fighting off the flu...this doctor was unaware of these syntoms and sounded doubtful that there is indeed a connection. | F | 50 | 1 days | 10/12/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | I was hesitant about taking the Actonel. The prescription was written for me in July and I waited until October to try it. Yesterday, I took the weekly pill for the first time at 8:30am. Then, like many others on the site, I began to experience the terrible side effects. That night, I woke up at 4am with flu-like symptoms: chills (apartment was very warm), strong aching in my bones and joints (hips, legs, arms, shoulders, and hands), gas, and stomach cramps. When I finally got out of bed at 10am after barely sleeping since 4am, I had diarrhea. At first, I thought that it must have been the flu, but I rarely get sick. So, I googled until I found this site. Everything made sense. Unfortunately, I had to go into work. I'm still feeling sharp pains and general aches all over my body as well as a dull headache. I would taken the day off if I weren't taken two days of vacation at the end of the week. | As others have said, the cure is not worth the cost of the side effects. I don't plan on taking this drug, again. Will just take calcium/vitamin D pills and exercise. | F | 35 | 1 days | 10/13/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis | dr. prescribed 150 mg once monthly and said that this drug is usually tolerated very well. I took my first dose and the following day woke up with stomach pains which led to uncontrollable diarrhea..which continued throughout the day. Soon after that I felt very weak and tired and could not stand up. Got into bed with severe chills and could not warm up at all I live in FLorida....I had nothing to eat except some tea because I did not want to become dehydrated. After each cup of tea...right back into bathroom. I also thought that perhaps I had food poisoning but after reading all the posts convinced me that the ACTONEL is the cause. I do take calcium with vitamin d and hopefully that will be sufficient. The side effects that are printed with the med goes over them very lightly and does not have all these that we all are talking about. | DO NOT TAKE ACTONEL!!! | F | 73 | 1 days | 10/23/2009 | 1 | fractured leg | I took Actonel this morning in a manner consistent with my physician's instructions. My physician actually recommended that I wait until the weekend to start taking the medication because of the likelihood of side effects. As of 3PM central, I am now feeling extremely fluish and gaseous. I do not think that I have ever experienced such side effects from a medication. | I don't know how long these side effects will continue. The length of the side effects, coupled with the results from taking it, will impact my rating. As of now, though, I feel dissatisfied. | M | 40 | 1 days | 10/24/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | I wish I'd have found this site earlier. I'd rate this drug a 0. Within a few hours of my very first (and only) dose of monthly Actonel I began to ache. The aching got progressively worse to the point where I could hardly breathe, also had exhaustion. Uncontrollable diarrhea and nausea followed. My family doctor sent me to the ER due to dehydration. I was admitted and spent 3 days in the hospital. I was off work over a week. Never again will I take this drug. | I'd never recommend this drug. Did the FDA really test Actonel or did the drug company do it's own testing? | 62 | 1 days | 10/26/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | Took 150mg and thought I was fine several hours into it. Then bam these things hit me like a ton of bricks. Severe headache non-stop, stomach pains, vomiting.Within 18 hours I feel like I have the flu. My bones hurt to the core. Jaw hurts and my ears hurt. I have to move my body around every 10 minutes or so because I feel as though bones are crushing.I am miserable! How long will this last. My doctor did warn me of side effects. He was very honest with what I would go thru. | What are we to do? Who wants this violent feeling every month? But I am only 37 and feel like I have no choice. My bone loss is advanced. I broke my hand a month ago my doctor feels strongly this was do to bone loss. I am scared but do not feel so alone since I am reading these other comments. | F | 37 | 1 days | 11/9/2009 | 1 | osteoporis | Took 150 mg dose Monday morning as directed. Ok until Tuesday afternoon, then shivering so bad my teeth were chattering, could not get warm, I live in Houston and it was 84 degrees,then sweats and worst headache I have ever experiences but back of head and neck pain. Bone pain all over. First 2 days felt constipated, I never get constipated, then the diahrea started Tuesday night and it is now Friday and has not stoped. Have had several accidents with the diahrea and bathroom is close by. Have not been able to get out of bed since Tuesday. Will not take this medication again. Prescribed by endocronologst to see how I would tolerate as he would like to give me a 1yr IV type. I do not think this will be possible. | F | 66 | 1 days | 10/30/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | Achiness, lower back pain, flu-like symptoms, fatigue. These symptoms appeared the day after taking this medication. | I'm so glad I found this site! I strongly encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to report them to Procter & Gamble at 1-800-836-0658 (product complaints) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1033 or www.fda.gov/medwatch If P&G receives a complaint, they MUST report it to the FDA. If enough of these cases are reported, they will then be taken seriously and acted upon, providing better warnings for their product. | F | 59 | 1 days | 11/2/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | I took 150 mg (monthly dose) yesterday and within 6 hours, the diarrhea started and hasn't stopped. Within 12 hours, I started experiencing chest pain, upper back pain and neck pain. It's now 24 hours later, and all those symptoms still exist, as well as difficult breathing, fatigue. | F | 45 | 1 days | 11/5/2009 | 1 | reduced bone density | Severe vomiting and diarrhea | I wonder how often people have this reation. Mine was very severe. It was a monthly dose that I will not take again | F | 55 | 1 days | 11/4/2009 | 3 | Doctor prescribed | Has just been prescribed - have not yet begun to take it. | F | 57 | 0 days | 8/18/2005 | 1 | osteopenia | no side effects....because after reading everyone's input on this website I refuse to fill my prescription | At first I was scanning for women my age, then long time users, then I started noticing how many people used it just once and experienced the same aches and pains. Don't know where to turn now, but am so THANKFUL that you shared your experiences so that I can stay away from this drug! Taking your advice. | F | 49 | 0 days | 8/3/2006 | 1 | bone loss | 21 pages of strong complaints going back to 2003 on this site................and this poison is still on the Market!! | I am SO glad i decided not to take this or the other osteo drugs............a big THANk YOU to all who have posted. Doing well with greatly improved bones thanks to Strontium Citrate and calcium. | F | 59 | 0 days 0 1X D | 4/6/2012 | 1 | haven't taken it yet but advised to | Nurse practitioner's assistant called me today to advise me to start taking this drug after seeing results of last week's bone density test - but before agreeing to fill the prescription I asked about possible side effects. She sounded rather cavalier about them. I said I'd rather not be on any medication since I am otherwise in very good health, in good shape, and exercise regularly. After reading this website I will take more Vitamin D, go back to the gym and continue lifting weights instead...thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and warning others...now I trust my intuition even more... | F | 55 | 0 days 35 mg 1X W | 10/28/2010 | 1 | doctors advice | DO NOT TAKE. POISON. | F | 56 | 0 days 1X O | 11/25/2010 | 1 | osteoporosis diagnosed this week | I am in tears for those of you suffering the effects of this drug. In spite of your pain, you offer your experiences so that others won't suffer the same. THANK YOU! I will NOT take this drug...EVER. | F | 65 | 0 days 150 1X M | 11/20/2010 | 1 | Borderline Osteoporosis | I decided against taking it after doing my own research. | For the person who said that they ''can't understand all the side-effects'', I'll just say this. Just because YOU may not have had any, does not mean that others haven't! We are all different, with different metabolisms and the horrible side-effects people describe here are very real and definitely not made up! | F | 65 | 0 days 1X W | 11/19/2010 | 1 | osteoporosis | I was about to give in and take Actonel due to my doctor's pleading with me to do something. I have been going natural and now will continue to do that. I am so sorry for all the suffering you are going through and I thank you for taking the time and effort to warn others. I believe we put too much faith in our doctors and not enough in ourselves. I never trust drug companies out to make money with little regard for a real healthy cure for illness. I hope you all feel better and hope for your recovery. Regards and thank you. | F | 71 | 0 days 1X M | 8/22/2010 | 1 | I take vitamins, calcium, and vitamin D. Exercise is good, and taking herbs like (horse tail tea, which is an herb) is great for building bones. I try to exercise everyday, at least half an hour. Taking tums is great also, it has a lot of calcium. Fish oil is great too. Also caltrate. Those little calcium and vit D, chewable chocolate carmels, you can get at any drug store is great also. | F | 56 | 0 days 0 1X O | 9/14/2010 | 1 | My former doctor prescribed this kind of drug to me. I refused to take. I am going to try the natural cures. I read calicum with vitamin d3, strontium, vitamin k, magneseum and other minerals can reverse bone loss. Just don't take calcium and strontium at the same time because they compete with absorption. Take strontium 3 hours after your last meal. Do weight bearing exercises. Eat more dark leafy green veggies. Good luck to all! | F | 54 | 0 days 1X O | 1/8/2011 | 1 | borderline osteoporosis | I was told by my Dr. today to begin taking Actonel as I am borderline osteoporosis. I'm 61 years old and in fairly good health. Take Citracal with Vit D 2-3 times a day already and will continue this and try to exercise more. After reading these reviews I am not going to start taking the Actonel, no way! Thank you so much and I'm glad I found this website! For all of you that have gotten ill from this med., I wish you better health very soon. | F | 61 | 0 days 35 mg 1X W | 5/7/2010 | 1 | No | I have not yet taken Actionel but I was on Fosamax for 3 years. 2 years into Fosamax I developed Lichen Planus. They do not know the cause of it so as a last resort I stopped taking fosamax (much to my Drs dismay) and the lichen planus stopped. While I was on fosamax my osteo never improved. I stayed off fosamax and on calcium, vitamin D3 supplements and exercise, and after 18 months my osteo numbers were stable. I might add that 13 months after stopping fosamax the lichen planus returned on my scalp. I still blame the fosamax for knocking my immune system out of wack. Has any experienced Lichen Planus after taking these types of drugs? | Now my doctor has prescribed Actonel. After my experience with fosamax and reading about your experiences with Actonel there is no way I'm going back on these types of meds. I'll stick with the calcium, Vit D3 supplements and exercise. | M | 64 | 0 days 150 mg 1X M | 6/5/2010 | 1 | I personally take womens vitamins, extra calcium supplements, herbs, exercise, eat calcium enriched foods and take TUMS, which is an old tried and true way of getting extra calcium. Oscal, and caltrate are great too. | F | 56 | 0 days 1X O | 4/4/2010 | 1 | to replace bone loss | none | How good can a drug be if you are told by your physician to take it once weekly at the same time with a full glass of water and to remain standing, etc., etc., etc. I am a young 68 years old single female & live alone. I live in NYC, nearest relative almost 3 hours away & cannot afford to be sick or bedridden. I read everything I could about this medication and stumbled upon this site. Based on what I have read I've made the decision to not take this drug. I will rely on calcium and vitamin D supplements. From all the comments listed here I am sorry that you've experience so much pain and discomfort. As some of you have suggested, this medication should be banned. I might also add that I do not believe that many of our physicians are familiar with the medications they prescribe for us but just go with what the drug companies tell them. | F | 68 | 0 days 35mg 1X W | 3/1/2010 | 1 | not | I am so glad to have found this website before my dr appointment this week. I knew he would be pressuring me to take Actonel for osteoporosis. After reading most of this, I know exactly what to tell him. Take this drug and shove it you know where!! | F | 58 | 0 days | 8/9/2009 |