ACTONEL Reviews (RISEDRONATE SODIUM)Average Rating: 1.4 (1412 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ACTONEL with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date 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 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 |
RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ACTONEL | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
2 | Osteopenia | Deep leg cramps at night. Mild indigestion on the day of the pill. | I've read that Actonel hardens bones, which may not be such a good thing; they become more brittle and harder to heal. I've reverted to weight bearing exercises, diet and a calcium supplement. | F | 64 | 2 days | 6/12/2006 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Long before I ever took Actonel I had read that it might harm the liver or have other bad side effects. Whenever I asked any doctor about this, they would always seem clueless and one even looked it up on his handy PDA right in front of me and assured me that none of the side effects included liver damage. I was still reluctant to take it and opted for FOSOMAX which gave me bad stomach cramping. When a different doctor suggested a nasal spray therapy that might give me nosebleeds, etc., I finally gave in and decided to take the Actonel. I would start and stop the drug at the first sign of any weird pains, etc., but finally started taking it consistently and soon noticed that I got these daily muscular headaches (and I NEVER get headaches!). I asked my doctor about it and again was told that Actonel would not have caused that problem. I continued taking the medication and now, after nearly two months, I have developed tinnitus. I hear this high-pitched sound all the time and at night | Get a second, third, or even fourth opinion before taking Actonel. Also, go with your gut. If you're apprehensive like I was in the beginning, it might be better to keep researching before putting yourself though this very questionable, possibly dangerous treatment. | F | 52 | 2 months | 6/11/2006 | 1 | Osteopenia | Shortly after taking the medication I would get the odd feeling in my chest, possible reflux, and throat felt full. I have bloating, difficulty putting on my rings (fingers thicker) and have fatigue, but I did not attribute this to the medication. About 10 weeks ago/after taking Actonel (the only med. I take) for approx. 5 1/2 mos., I felt pain in my right inner ankle. Approximately 4 weeks ago both feet seemed to tire quickly after walking, and I had trouble walking (pain in right ankle and both feet). This limited my ability to exercise (jog). I stopped taking the med. about 3 weeks ago, after again reading the contraindications which come printed with the med. because I became concerned. The med. was prescribed by my OB/GYN, who I like and trust. I saw my foot dr. today for the pain and recent swelling in this same right ankle, and he said I have tendonitis. He said he has not heard of Actonel causing this, but that meds. can cause tendonitis. | We have good reason to fear osteoporosis, but after reading this website & seeing how many people describe similar problems/pain, I choose to wait until some other alternative to Actonel (Fosamax & Boniva) comes along. I do not want my activity and health limited by foot pain, and I don't want the increase in weight because I cannot exercise on a regular basis due to the pain. | F | 55 | 8 months | 6/6/2006 | 1 | Prevent Osteoporosis | Began with occasional indigestion and then severe for over a year, bloating, constant pain in upper right abdomen quadrant just below ribs. Went to a Gastroentrologist: I had a ultrasound - revealed small cyst on liver; EGD revealed duodenitis and antral gastritis. My duodenom is inflamed and sore. I made sure I took this drug according to directions. | I am convinced that Actonel has caused these problems. I have not taken NSAIDS (which are rough on the stomach), only Tylenol for pain. The Doc gave me Aciphex, which helps decrease the acid in my stomach so I can heal. Now I cannot drink coffee, tea, fruit which are highly acidic, or highly spicy food during this period of time. I have been on 80 mg Pravachol and 10 mg of Zetia daily for 5 years to lower my cholesterol, with no bad side effects; I have taken Premarin .3 mg (since 1972) mainly to curb my hot flashes along with over-the-counter Primrose Oil (no bad side effects). I take Calcium along with Vitamins A & D. But Actonel - I will not ever take again! | F | 61 | 2 years | 6/6/2006 | 5 | osteopenia | No overt side effects. Curious and looking for feedback--just found out that I have coronary artery calcification at age 52. Taken Actonel for over 3 years. Heart calcium score of 158. I have no risk factors, no family history, very active. I'm very interested in hearing form other women about coronary related side effects. | F | 52 | 3 years | 6/2/2006 | 1 | osteroporsis | pain in left ankle...like tendonitis..Then after 9 weeks & 9 pills....hands swelling, throat tightness, pain on both sides of neck (like I slept wrong)...headache....I am not going to take this stuff!! Told the doctor & he is prescribing Boniva...so maybe the dosage is too much or too strong? I am not going to take anything until I feel better. | F | 59 | 9 weeks | 6/1/2006 | 4 | Osteopenia | I have minor aches and pains. The first time I took it the pill wiped me out. Drudged through and took the next one a week later. So far no major problems. A little tired but I take a good vitamin which helps. I got lightheaded after this last pill. Ankles hurt but I am on my feet at work quite a bit and wear steel toe shoes. Have diarrhea the same day I take the pill but then I am fine after that. | I think not every drug is for everyone. So far I am doing good but side effects can happen at any time. I am concerned to see people having major problems. Why should a medicine that is suppose to help make us feel worse? Will see what the next dexa-scan says. Have to wait until next April for that. Will post again if I have any problems. | F | 37 | 6 weeks | 5/31/2006 | 1 | osteopenia | Muscle and joint pain began gradually starting with feet, leg cramps, knee pain with joints locking, hip pain, neck/shoulder pain with rt. shoulder unable to raise, arm weakness and numbness, hands swollen and weak (fingers locked when made fist), throat felt "full",and restless leg syndrome. | I thought these symptoms might be related to auto-immune hepatitis which I had been diagnosed with 3 months earlier. Feel very "slow" that it took me so long to make the connection. I found this sight and stopped taking actonel immediately. I normally have energy to spare, but have felt very old and tired for many months. I have been off the medication for 3 months. The aches are finally gone but still battle fatique and muscle weakness, vision differences (even with new glasses), and "thick" feeling in throat. I keep wondering when I will have my previous energy back and if there will be any permanent damage. I am also frustrated that my Dr. did not mention the possibility of these extreme side effects. I am very grateful to have found this site. | F | 58 | 4 months | 5/31/2006 | 3 | Pleliminary Osteperosis | Initially noticed rask on my face and chest. My doctor told me it looked like a contact rash. It occured the first 2 or 3 weeks and then dissappeared. Now I'm experiencing re-occuring weekly blisters on my gums and cheeks,. Experiencing extensive shoulder and left arm spasms for several weeks.Already diagnosed with TMJ prior to taking this medicine, with often causes neck, shoulder and jaw problems in the past. Had an ecclusal adjustment to help minimize the pain. Had jaw bone surgery in 2002 (prior to Actonal), some bone had to be replaced with syntetic matarials becaude the tooth fractured so badly when it was removed. I now have a permanent partial, but continue to have constant neck and should pain. | Outside of the side affects I fell stronger, healthier, toner. Finally able to add some weight to my 92 pount body, but the cronic mouth sours are the worst systyem. I've also experienced some diareia and blurred vission, | F | 48 | 9 days | 5/30/2006 | 1 | Osteopenia (-1.9) Update | THE PERSON WHO MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT HAS THE FACTS MIXED UP. "only took it 2 times -- 35 mg once a week.Same affects as most mentioned here. Have stopped drug BUT the drug has a half- life of 10 + years !" PLEASE REFER TO WWW.PGHARMA.COM. ACTONEL DOES NOT METABOLIZE & CAN STAY IN YOUR BONES FOR UP TO 10 YEARS. IT HAS A HALF-LIFE OF 480 HOURS (20 DAYS). | I took Fosamax for approx. 8 weeks, off for 5 weeks and took Actonel for 6 weeks. I have been off Actonel for approx. 9 weeks and am still experiencing tightness in my neck and pain in my left arm. Started physical therapy approx. 3 1/2 weeks ago to restore mobility in my left arm (left shoulder locked and I was no longer able to reach behind me). Am improving with the hopes of gaining full mobility eventually (my therapist is pleased with my progress so far - at this date we have no idea yet how many more sessions I will need to regain full mobility). The continuing pain (especially during the night) in my arm concerns me. Also, I still have cracking & popping in my neck, jaw & left wrist. When discussed with my GP that I had gone off Actonel she suggested Boniva. I told her I would be crazy to try & take that, or maybe she's crazy if she thought I would try it. We had a laugh over that. Now she is pushing Evista (which also lists muscle/bone pain as a side effect). I will | F | 51 | 6 weeks | 5/30/2006 | 1 | Osteopenia (-1.9) Update | continuation of "additional comments" | not be trying that either. I will continue to update as necessary. I am happy for those who had restored health in a couple of weeks. Mine, however, is taking a little longer, but there is hope, which I wanted to pass along to those who are continuing to suffer as I am. This is not just age related aches & pains (at least for some of us) but a result of taking biphosphonates. Nothing will convince me otherwise. | F | 51 | 6 weeks | 5/30/2006 | 1 | Pagets Disease | After taking this drug for about 4-5 weeks of an 8 week prescription, I found I was having considerable pain in my joints and stiffness in my limbs. I now have been left with pain and stiffness in my knees which I did not have before. | F | 72 | 31 days | 5/28/2006 | 1 | osteoporosis | only took it 2 times -- 35 mg once a week.Same affects as most mentioned here. Have stopped drug BUT the drug has a half- life of 10 + years ! | F | 74 | 2 days | 5/25/2006 | 1 | prevent osteoporosis | I started taking Actonel 35mg once a week tablet on March 12, 2006. Since then, I have experienced knee pain, memory problems, gas, a severe dry eye problem, blurred vision, and just found out that I have the beginning of a cataract in my right eye. The eye doctor thought I was too young to have one unless it was hereditary and it isn't. Last night I got out the Physician's Dest Reference to see what I could find out, I am sure it is from the Actonel after reading it as a side effect, but the nurse at the office where the doctor prescribed the Actonel just laughed at me and said that the cataract would have taken longer for it to form than the amount of time I was on Actonel. Plus she had never heard of that being a side effect, but I am sure it is the Actonel! I refuse to take anymore and am hoping that I see improvement in my eye when I go back next year. | After reading all of the side effects, I would not recommend taking this medication. | F | 54 | 10 weeks | 5/24/2006 | 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 | Osteopenia | Bone pain, sore joints, fatigue, dry nails & hair, strange face color, leg cramps, depression, jaw pain. | Went to family doctor with complaint of severe bone pain and jaundice color the day I take medication. She took blood tests and said all were in normal range. Suggested a rheumotologist. I have appointment for July but plan on discontinuing Actonel before then to see if systoms subside. I feel horible and can't take it anymore. | F | 59 | 8 months | 5/16/2006 | 1 | dexi score low | Severe stomach problems: diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, pain, nausea, stomach cramps. Dizziness, headache, ringing in ears, itching and hives, sore throat, stuffy nose, nodule in palm of hand, large blister in mouth, dry eyes, leg cramps, tightness in chest and ribs, tight feeling in sinuses and bones of face, weakness in hands, pains in shoulders and side, weak bladder. | FOUND ON A WEBSITE: "When Merck started its push in 1995, there were 750 bone-measuring devices in the United States. By 1999, there were between 8,000 and 10,000, according to Merck. "The drug companies started to make machines available to doctors' offices and enter into big agreements to reimburse them for scans," said Dr. Andrea LaCroix, senior investigator for the Center for Health Studies at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle. "We were all keenly aware of it. If you were in clinical practice, you could get the machines relatively cheap." Doctors found themselves pressured to provide the density tests." (COULD THIS BE WHY WE ARE ALSO BEING PRESSURED INTO TAKING ACTONEL AND SIMILAR DRUGS? | F | 66 | 5 weeks | 5/15/2006 | 1 | bone desity low | Severe diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, & stomach cramps. Leg cramps in calves; Lower back pain; Vertigo; Pain & muscle weakness, esp. in hands; Blurry vision; Itching. Hives. Had swelling on roof of mouth; Facial bones feel "stiff"; Sore throat one day a week; Ears ringing. Hot flashes. Headaches. | Actonel must be arsenic! Took it for 4 wks, then quit, then took again after a month. After having to buy too many other remedies to counteract the side effects, have now stopped for good! Using Progesterone cream, (see Dr. Lee website), and increasing Calcium pills, Vit C & D, and Magnesium. | F | 66 | 6 weeks | 5/12/2006 | 2 | Prevent Bone Loss | Hive-like rash that kept expanding and showing up in new places; pain in right elbow like tennis elbow, shooting pains in right arm, pain in right chest, mild indigestion, fuzzy vision, and very off-balance - running into walls and etc. | Did not connect symptoms with Actonel (thought I had poison ivy that lasted several weeks and a strained elbow) until finding reference to rash as a side effect of actonel. I only took this 4 times (weekly), but don't expect to take it again. I am also very active, exercise daily, eat carefully, and will be finding a non-chemical way to manage my bones! | F | 49 | 4 weeks | 5/8/2006 | 1 | Post - menopausal & hypothyroid | Developed severe wrist and hand pain to the point where I was unable to grasp or lift anything. A handshake was excrutiating. My middle finger on my left hand developed swelling at the knuckle and I've been unable to close my fist for over a year. Also had pain in back, right knee and other joints. I'm exhausted all the time and I feel 20 years older than I am. I get dizzy and I also developed tinnutis that I noticed would appear 1-2 days after I took my weekly dose and would last for at least 4 days before subsiding in time for the next dose. I'm off the medication for 2 weeks thanks to my pharmacist not reaching my doctor for a refill and glad of it. I'm noticing that my wrist pain is feeling better already and hopefully I'll get back to the way I was 2 years ago. Funny thing is, my bone density exam was completely normal, but because I'm post-menopausal and hypothyroid, my PCP thought I should take it to prevent osteoporosis which can occur secondary to both. I'm a nurse an | F | 59 | 2 years | 5/8/2006 |