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
 
 1  osteoporosis This is my 2nd posting to this site. My first post was on May 21st of this year. (I took Actonel for 8 months before I developed severe Joint/muscle pain). It's now been 3 months since my last dose of this drug. My shoulder joint pain is still with me although I've noticed in the last week that I feel some improvement, not much though, probably 10% or so. I'm hoping over time it will eventually subside 100%. My doctors still say that it's not very probable that my shoulder(s) pain is not related to Actonel. I beg to differ...I had an MRI yesterday of both shoulders and am awaiting the doctors review to see if there's something else going on. I have another DEXA scan scheduled for this October to check for any improvement of the bone loss. I don't expect much improvement due to the fact I stopped the drug in May and I'm not going to start it again. My doctor did say there's a new cure coming soon that is suppose to help with the disease. It's called DENOSUMAB. The drug is awai I'm still convinced that Actonel is causing my pain. I will not go back on it no matter what.....If you look at the posts for the other 2 similar drugs, Boniva & Fosamax, the side effect are about the same. M 57 8 months
8/22/2009
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 1  bone loss I started taking Actonel (once a month) on the 19th of August. Within 6 hours I started experiencing flu-like symptoms, body aches, chills and fever. This lasted about 18 hours. Then after that, I began experiencing a burning stomach ache with severe gas. I wished I would have found this site before I took my first dose. I would have never taken that pill. I hate feeling this way. It frightens me to read all of the comments knowing I may be suffering from side effects for a long time due to just one pill. If one pill can cause so much discomfort and dibilitaion then it feels more like a poison than a fix for bone loss. I would rather age "gracefully" than be suffering from so many side effects. I will be contacting the FDA and P&G about this product! I believe it should be taken off the market. And thank you to the person that gave the information about the alternative route. I will be checking into this. I am pasting the information below for other to check out. "GERD: Mix 2 to 5 T. organic apple cider vinegar in water and sip during every meal. Takes few weeks to overcome reflux. Bone Loss: Magnesium AND calcium, taken together, with Vitamin D3. Read "User's Guide to Calcium and Magnesium" by Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD. Small 82 page book is best, most concise info I've ever read about calcium and magnesium for osteoporosis. Must take more magnesium than calcium." F 53 1 times
8/21/2009
 3  Osteopenia - mild bone loss I take the 150mg monthly dose. Been taking for 6 months now. Within 12 hours of 1st dose, developed flu-like symptoms; only lasted about 24 hours. Since then, no issues except occasional heartburn accompanied by a mild headache; not too bad... HOWEVER, the heartburn has become a little more frequent each month. After taking my most recent dose (8 days ago), have had heartburn and a nagging headache off and on every day; almost continuous for the past 24 hours. Just left a message for my doctor... M 51 6 months
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  osterporous Took my first dose as prescribed 150mg (1 per month)on Sunday August 16th. Monday morning I had all I could do to get out of bed. Severe: neck, upper back, lower back, upper arms, both sides, chest bone...PAIN! it even hurts to breathe. I went to the doctor and they gave me an ibuprophen injection which I was told would take the pain away. It did not. I had to leave work, go home and immediately to bed for 12 straight hours. I was told to take aleve or tylenol for the next 3 days and the pain would go away. This is only day 2 and I am still in pain. Doctor said the side effects should go away after a few doses. I am afraid they won't. I would rather break a hip than have to live my life in pain like this. Before Actonel I was active, no pain, walking 3 miles a day. Now it hurts to walk 3 feet. I am disgusted as being 59 years old and always very active, I am now walking around like an old lady with arthritis. I hope if I do not take any more monthly doses that I can have my pain free life back. Sounds like many woman are never the same even after 1 dose. The FDA and pharma. companies ought to be ashamed! You pay $115 for 1 month supply (which is 1 pill) and all it does is make you sick and hurt everywhere. Get this OFF the market. If we can't do better than this............................. F 59 2 days
8/18/2009
 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
 2  osteoporosis severe nausea that lasted several days after once/monthly dosage. Already had hot flashes post-menopause so can't say that relaes. Generally fatigue seems worse. Generally - quality of life worse though who knows if long term its effective. Takes too long for bad drugs to get pulled. F 55 4 months
8/17/2009
 1  Osteoporosis 2.7 I just took my first monthly Actonel yesterday morning. Woke up about 3am and couldn't get warm and could not stop shaking. Took a hot shower to try and regulate my body temp. Threw up twice. Finally went to sleep and felt better in the morning, but weak. Today, the chills and fever came back again in the afternoon and now my lower back hurts across the top of my pelvis. My doctor told me about the possible side effects "but only about 6% of people have trouble." Well, I don't think so. I wish I had read this site first, if I had I wouldn't have taken this awful thing. I'm going to continue my calcium, vitamin D and weight training instead. This is horrible. I can only hope right now that it passes quickly and I don't end up with some of the lingering problems others are reporting. F 52 2 days
8/17/2009
 1  osteoporosis extreme joint and tendon pain that came on all at once in neck, shoulders, hands and fingers, knees, hips and feet. I took it monthly for about three months then weird symptoms happened. My doctor ran tests for rheumatoid arthritis which came out neg. He suspected Actonel and told me to stop taking it and prescribed Celebrex for the pain until the Actonel is out of my system. I haven't taken it for about 3 months, so far, and I am still in pain. I hope it's because of the drug and not something else. F 49 3 months
8/12/2009
 1  osteopenia/bone loss in vertebra explosive diarrhea about 7 hours after 1st dose, fever and chills that night, extreme fatigue since took this 6 days ago and I am just beginning to feel like myself although tired I have never had any reaction to any medication, took the once a month version, just haven't felt right, glad I found this website, I am not taking this again F 56 6 days
8/12/2009
 1  Slight Bone Loss in Rt. Hip My physician prescribed the 150 mg monthly dose. Within 10 hours of the first dose, I had severe pain in my right arm, hand and wrist. The second day I began to experience flu symptoms and developed a very stiff neck and a cracking sound when I tried to move my head.I rarely have headaches, but have had a headache every day and do not find much relief from taking Tylenol. My energy is low and my eyes more sensitive to light. I am now in my 6th day following taking Actonel and after reading these ratings, will not continue using it. I will just take Vit E and Tums as advised by my doctor 3 weeks ago. This is a good alternative since I have had problems with GERD and raw spots in my stomach. Given this background it seems somewhat irresponsible to be taking Actonel for only a mild bone loss in my right hip. My bone density was still determined to be acceptible. F 68 1 months
8/10/2009
 3  Osteoporosis I've only been taking it a short time (weekly dosage)and luckily so far don't have any side effects I'm aware of . . . . am frankly horrified at the potential for them in the future though, especially since I have external resporbtion (tooth condition) that will require an extraction very soon, plus either a bridge or implant. RATED A 3 ONLY DUE TO SHORT TIME USE WITH NO ISSUES. I generally do not take prescription drugs unless there is no alternative. Tried Chinese herbs for over a year, plus calcium/magnesium etc. (proven to work on other people) but didn't help me at all. DEXA scan showed progressively worse results - am horrified that I'm taking this drug but felt I had no choice but to try it. Also have interstitial cystitis and worry Actonel might effect it at some point? F 53 2.5 months
8/9/2009
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 1   I was given 2 samples, one boniva and one actonel, the once a month versions. then filled a presciption for actonel. i had flu like symptoms with both. I felt very sick with all 3 doses i have taken. serious back pain, muscle and hip pain. extreme fatigue and exhaustion. my throat feels thick and wakes me up in the night. the pain symptom subsides after a week or so after each dose, or at least the serious pain. for some reason my feet hurt a lot more than ever since taking this medication. at first i thought i had the flu but after the 3rd dose(slow learner i guess) i know it is this drug. i am especially concerned about the constant thick feeling in my throat. cannot stand the thought of going through this each month. i will not likely take it again. F 46 3 months
8/9/2009
 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
 1  Osteoporosis acid reflux... now I have GERD and Barrett's Esophagus I am very angry F 55 5 years
8/5/2009
 2  osteopenia in spine & L-hip osteo took the pill 8/1/09. on 8/3 acid reflux kept me up thruought the early morning hours. i NEVER experienced acid reflux. i'm dragging/tired. no energy. bloated stomach. no appetite yesterday or today. mild headache & i don't suffer from headaches. this is a once a month pill. i question whether i'll stay on this if this is how i feel 3-4 days after taking one pill. i pray i don't get the achy joints/muscle like i read about w/the other women. i'm a very active person & this is miserable. hard to concentrate at work. i'm a lawyer. F 61
8/4/2009
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 1  osteoporosis -2.5 I took the monthly dose on Sunday am. In the middle of the night I woke with severe back pain, leg aches, neck pain and a headache. I could not sleep. Went to work the next day and don't know how I made it through the day. Developed a cough and now 3 days later am still experiencing severe body aches and pains. I have knee problems and it is now painful to get up from a sitting position. I am in excellent shape, exercise regularly and eat a balanced, healthy diet. Given the way I feel, I hope I can return to my exercise program someday. I cannot believe my gyno prescribed this medicine even knowing my reluctance to taking any drugs for this condition. How could a woman do this to another woman. Until controls are put on the insurance companies and drug companies there will never be any reform to our health care program. I am so outraged by this experience. This rating should be a -2.5 I took one dose of 150 mg and will never take another. How did this receive FDA approval. Of course, everyone is in bed with the drug companies. F 61
8/4/2009
 1  I have osteoporosis 8 hours after taking Actonel pill for the first time I began to have problems with my stomach and muscles. Another 3 hours later I started to have horrible fever and chills that did not subside until next morning. This is day 2 and I have pain in all my muscles and barely able to walk. I will not take this medicine again. M 1 days
8/4/2009
 1  Osteopenia I have taken my 2nd dose of monthly Actonel and the symptoms were worse the 2nd dosage. I am so glad I found this website cause I was seriously thinking these side effects have to be in my head. I am a breast cancer survivor and had 8 rounds of chemo and I'm telling you these side effects of Actonel are the same as the side effects of chemo. I am calling my Dr. today and telling her I am quitting this medication. It is like putting poison in your body! F 46 2 months
8/4/2009
 1  Mild bone loss (spine) Over the last two years, I have visited three different doctors and one physical therapist. My symptoms over this period of time were tingling in the fingers and loss of strength in the both hands, severe shoulder pain, severe neck and back pain, and most recently, inability to straighten my left leg without excruciating pain. For several months, I have walked with a limp and in the last week, was completely unable to walk. I did not sleep well since the pain of accidentally straightening my leg in bed would keep me from sleeping soundly. I was in constant pain. None of the three doctors or the physical therapist made the connection to Actonel, prescribed for me two years ago. I even insisted on a Lyme's disease blood test, which turned out negative. The last doctor was considering a Lupus blood test. It always seemed strange to me that I would be pain-free on Saturday and then have a relapse on Sunday. Sunday morning was when I took my weekly pill. I was relaxing in front of the TV la I do not hate pharmaceuticals. I hate their influence, their lobbying in Congress. The media and medical professionals seem reluctant to criticize them. I'm weary of hearing that we have the best medical system in the world. That is simply not true--we are ranked 12th in the world. When doctors (three of them) don't care to consider side-effects of a drug they are prescribing as a serious risk to their patients, then they are in the pockets of the pharms. I'll take socialized medicine any day. I'm sick of health-care-for-profit. F 65 2 years
8/3/2009

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