ACTONEL Reviews (RISEDRONATE SODIUM)

Average Rating: 1.4 (1412 Ratings)

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 BISPHOSPHONATES

 Type: Rx Drug

  

ACTONEL  (RISEDRONATE SODIUM):  Risedronate is used to prevent and treat certain types of bone loss (osteoporosis) in adults. Osteoporosis causes bones to become thinner and break more easily. Your chance of developing osteoporosis increases as you age, after menopause, or if you are taking corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) for a long time. This medication works by slowing bone loss to help maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of broken bones (fractures). Risedronate belongs to a class of medications called bisphosphonates.   FDA Approval Date: 2008-04-22 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR ACTONELCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 2  Osteopenia, then Osteoporosis Mild discomfort in my stomach, difficulty swallowing, some other achiness throughout my body that I could not attribute to the actonel due to other meds I was taking for other conditions. While on Actonel along with calcium supplements for osteopenia, not only was there no improvement, but an overall worsening. Two years later, my new diagnosis was osteoporosis. When I learned that, despite my normal level of calcium, it was not being absorbed due to a huge vitamin D deficiency. I was then placed on a higher dosage of vitamin D in addition to my daily vitamins, but was asked to remain on Actonel. Another year later, my bone density did not improve, but remained steady, and my vitamin D level improved only slightly. My new endo then placed me on a megadose of vitamin D, but asked that I continue the Actonel. The next lab test I had for another purpose indicated that my vitamin D level had greatly increased, so I took it upon myself to stop the Actonel. My last bone density test indicated a moderate overall improvement. I also no longer have the discomfort I was having during the years on Actonel. My conclusion: Actonel was useless as a treatment for osteoporosis and did have some negative side effects. F 57 3 years
30mg 1X W
7/11/2010
 1  osteopenia Severe bone, joint, & muscle pain; stiffness Today (7-11-2009) is my one-year anniversary of taking the 150 mg dose of Actonel. This is my third entry on this site (first was in Sept. of 2009, I believe.) The problems are still there, but it is now just on my left side & the pain is much more manageable. I started going to a PT through my pain clinic a few months ago & found out that all the muscles in my pelvic region are shot. Rebuilding their strength will take a while. (The therapist told me she hopes I will be doing much better in a year!) This experience with Actonel has been devastating, & I'm thankful to have survived! I have contacted both the FDA & Proctor & Gamble, & I have told countless people about my experience. My doctor's office no longer will perscribe the 1-month dosage of Actonel to anyone. I still do not have my old life back, but I'm feeling hopeful again, which is a good thing. F 53 1 days
150 mg 1X M
7/11/2010
 1  Osteoporosis I wished I had read these comments prior to taking Actonel. My first dose was Friday morning. That night I went to get out of bed to go to the bathroom and could not move without assistance. I felt as though I had been in a wreck. Every bone in my body hurt and my chest felt like someone had beaten me. On top of this, I already suffer from degenerative back disease and spinal stenosis. I do not need the additional pain created by Actonel. I'm already on pain medication which does little or no good for the pain I'm experiencing from Actonel. I'm almost afraid to go to bed tonight for fear it will get worse. I think I'd almost rather have a broken hip than suffer the side effects of Actonel. I would not recommend this medication to anyone. The doctors don't tell you how painful the side effects can be. They gloss over it. NO TO ACTONEL. I will never use this drug again. F 65 1 days
150 1X M
7/10/2010
Email
 2  Osteopenia Never suspected that my Charley Horses could have been a side effect. Bone and muscle pain is a side effect. Two weeks ago, I suffered bloating and the feeling of trapped gas; stomach pain and rib cage pain. Then, I felt like the pain was going all the way to my heart - "trapped". I threw up numerous times, even going into dry heaves, watery diarrehea, weakness and fatigue. I think that my system has simply told me it has had enough of this drug. Took my last pill this past Tuesday morning. Noticed that the gas pains were heightened, and I had heartburn. I will be seeing my doctor soon. I no longer wish to take Actonel. I cannot help but wonder how severe my side effects would have been if I were prescribed (I was offered the option) the 150 MG/once a month Actonel. F 61 5 years
35 MG 1X W
7/8/2010
 1  osteoprosis I took once-a-month actonel in the morning following the directions exactly. I went to a business lunch and started feeling like I had indigestion which I rarely have. I came back to work and felt so full even though I had hardly eaten my lunch. I was on my way to get my haircut and realized that I felt horrible. I went home and took a nap, woke up feeling worse and had my husband cancel our dinner plans. He called the pharmacist who said yes it was the actonel. I went back to bed and it just got worse. I had severe crippling bone and joint pain all up and down my arms, legs and feet! I was in so much pain. Then the nausea and diarrhea set in and flu symptoms. It was crazy! I was in the bed for two and half days and didn’t feel normal for about a week. The pharmacist did tell me to drink milk or take Mylanta b/c the calcium would help the actenol absorb better and quicker. The pharmacist assured me that once it was absorbed, I would be fine. All I kept thinking was it was in me for a month! I cannot believe this drug is on the market. Since my experience, I have talked to several others who have had the same experience. It is kind of a feast or famine thing—either it agrees with you or it doesn’t. I called the nurse at my doctor’s office and she said she had two other patients that had a bad reaction. Of course, I will not be taking it again. F 48
once a mon 1X M
7/8/2010
 3  Osteopenia Fosomax bothered my stomach with first dose. No problems with Actonel 1x/week. First two years my Osteopenia stayed the same (-1.7). Now tested at year 4 and have full-fledged Osteoporosis (-2.9). Went through most of menopause in the last two years so that could have caused the change. I was hoping it would stop the bone loss though. F 50 4 years
1X W
7/5/2010
Email
 1  newly diagnosed osteoporosis I had severe heartburn within an hour of taking my first pill. The next morning I had aching hips and jaw. Two weeks later I started running a 103 degree temperature for 4 days. I was tested for a variety of ills; all negative. The fever subsided, but one week later, I started running a 101 degree temperature. This time I mentioned Actonel to my GP and asked if there could be a link. He said yes and told me not to take my July dosage. He recommends Evista. I will have missed 10 days of work. I do not recommend Actonel and will not continue with it. I'm just wondering how long it will take to get it out of my system. F 64 1 months
150 mg 1X M
7/4/2010
 1  osteopenia severe crippling bone/joint pain. made me bedridden for days. nerve pain, like tightening. diarrhea.flu symptoms immediately for about a week. 3 months later, still have severe pain it just bounces around to different joints including toes. loss of appetite. fatigue DONT TAKE THIS DRUG- IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'D ADVISE EVERYONE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FDA AND THEIR DOCTOR UNDER ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS DRUG. F 51 1 times
150 1X M
7/3/2010
 1  Osteoporosis I took the monthly Actonel one time. Within 48 hours,I was bedridden with nausea, vomiting and dizziness. The doctor prescribed an anti nausea medication, but the dizziness lasted for several days. I started on the 35mg tab, first taking it once a month, then every three weeks, then every two weeks. Just took it after a week and have been nauseated and dizzy for two days and had to leave work. Very frustrating. I do believe that the drug companies are not hearing about all the side effects that these drugs cause. I am so frustrated and mistrusting of the drug companies. I think that they down play the side effects. I encourage all women to call their doctors and report their problems with this medication. The doctors should be the ones getting back to the drug companies with their patient's complaints. F 64 1 days
150 1X M
7/1/2010
 1  Osteoporosis Took my first (and last!) tablet 3+ months ago. After 4 days rib cage felt as if a truck drove over it. Heartburn, 2 migraines every 24 hours, diarrhea, nausea and problems with urination. Dr. told me it has to get out of my system and it will take 3 months. I STILL have the rib cage/muscle ache but do not have to take painkillers anymore. Heartburn, nausea and diarrhea still there occasionally. I will never take this kind of medication again, I rather die of a broken hip! The last 3+ month have been the worst of my life, and I have a high pain tolerance but this has been awful. I recommend everybody DO NOT TAKE THIS or any of the other bisphosphonate medications that are around! They all have the same side effects. F 69 1 months
150mg 1X M
6/30/2010
Email
 1  osteopenia Two years ago, I took Actonel for osteopenia. My knees swelled and hurt terribly after the second dose. I went to a bone specialist after taking the second dose, and he drained excess fluid from knees and gave me a shot of cortisone in each knee. I recovered but would never take this medication again. I understand the reaction I had is rare. My doctors are now recommending I try Evista, which I have agreed to try. I have studied this site for information on Evista reactions so I am well prepared this time. F 61 2 weeks
1X W
6/28/2010
 1  bone density Severe joint pain on left side, back, ribs, arms.... couldn't get out bed.... Had to take 600mg of Ibuprofin and topical rubs for 3 days F 52 1 days
1X M
6/28/2010
 1  Osteopenia I am trying to reply to the 59 year old female request for input posted 6/1/2010 using the email indicated with her entry but there is no way to send my message. Your site is requiring a specific address. I want to communicate with her. I, too, have tremors and I know someone who also does...very Parkinson's like! This needs to get out. Please help me reach her. F 56 30 months
1X W
6/27/2010
Email
 1  Osteoporosis I'm a 19 year old guy. 12 hours after taking my first 150mg dose, I experienced severe chest and back pain. I went to the ER, got some pain meds, and he sent me home with motrin and vicanin. This morning I couldn't even get up without help and I'm on the painkillers. Ask your doctor to start off on a lower dose to make sure you don't react. Maybe it'll get out of your system faster M 19 1 days
150 MG 1X M
6/24/2010
 1  Osteoporsis Took as directed. Slight stomach ache. 12 hours later, lower back and both sides of hips pain, chills, aches, no appetite. Called doctor (OB/GYN who perscribed it) he stated he'd never heard of those side affects. Day 5 after I took it and still not 100%. He stated that I should take it one more time and let him know how next month is. Spoke to the pharmacist; she had severe pain in both feet for 6 months that finally went away. She is still taking the drug and has had improved scans since taking it. My Mother has had 3 hip replacements/revisions and a shoulder replacement. Runs in our family. I'm thin so I knew that I would need to start doing something but is the "cure" worse than the disease? Vascilating on whether I'll take it one more time or not. F 52 1 months
150 MG 1X M
6/23/2010
 1  osteoporosis Took dose as directed. Twelve hours later developed severe stomach pain and diarrhea. Diarrhea and chills with dull headache throughout the next 48 hours. Black tarry stools and severe abdominal pain. Missed work. Will not take again. F 50 1 times
1X M
6/23/2010
 1  osteopenia The first day I took Actonel, I experienced diarrhea in the evening. It also seemed that my eyes became more sensitive to light. The second week, the symptoms became a little worse. Week three was a nightmare. The day after I took the pill, my ribs and back (on the left side only) became sore to the point that clothing touching them felt like needles poking me. My lower stomach felt bloated, as if my intestinal tract were swollen. Diarrhea started again, along with sharp pains. Later that week, a blistery rash appeared on the lower left side of my stomach and it did not itch but hurt and felt irritated. I did NOT take this evil drug a 4th time or I am certain I wouldn't have lived to ever have a bone fracture. I called my Doctor, who had the nurse call to tell me not to take the drug (brilliant) and that the pain should go away in 10 days, after the Actonel leaves my system. It has already been 9 days, so I can't imagine I will wake up feeling fine tomorrow. Any stories on h DON'T TAKE IT!!! F 56 3 weeks
1X W
6/22/2010
 1  osteopenia So glad to find this site. I thought I was dying. Extreme joint and body aches, dizziness, severe diarhea. Started 12 hours after first(and only) dose. This drug is scary. Do not take it. Warning, do not take it even if doctor downplays side effects. They are real and severe. F 52 1 days
150mg 1X M
6/21/2010
Email
 1  Slight Osteroperosis Nausea, joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue I took my first, once a month pill, at 8:00 a.m. I didn't eat till about ten. I felt fine all day until bedtime. I developed tremors and chills. My muscles tightened, I became nauseated, and my joints hurt. All night long I fought throwing up. Finally, in the morning I had to. I was so sore and in pain my husband had to help me out of bed and into the chair by the bathroom. I slept a lot the next day...felt like I'd been hit with a bat all over. Kidneys hurt, jaw hurt, teeth hurt, hips hurt, shoulders and back in agony. My husband put his hand on my forehead to see if I had a fever and said he could take my pulse there. This is day three and now I feel better...by "better" I mean like I have the flu. I have sucked on ice chips, and can finally take an Ibuprophen, which seems to help the muscle pain. I sure hope this goes away soon. Needless to say, I won't be taking this (in any form)again. M 59 1 days
150 mg. 1X day
6/13/2010
Email
 1  osteoporosis Severe chest pains 10 hours after taking the tablet. Could not fall asleep that night until I took Extra Strength Tylenol. Next two days experienced muscle aches as well as joint and bone pains. Finally went to see my doctor. (Advised me that everything is ok and that it's only a chest wall pain I had...) Did not comment whether or not Actonel could have been the cause of it. F 62 1 times
150mg 1X M
6/13/2010

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