User Reviews for Actonel oral

In April 2011, I was taking 35 mg weekly Actonel and I was sick weekly. I took it for four weeks and followed the directions. I had bone joint pains all over, nausea,indigestion, diarrhea, overall lethargic feeling like I was coming down with something. I could not function for 1 to 2 days. By the fourth week the symptoms were not as strong. When I went to renew, my insurance would no longer pay for it. My Dr. switched me to monthly Actonel. My symptoms included stomach fullness, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain and a bad case of diarrhea.I tried 150 mg for 3 months. I thought by the 3rd month the symptoms would decrease or be nonexistent. Also, I was taking it on the first Saturday of each month this way I avoided a "working" day. I am not sure I want to go through these symptoms each month; I don't know if I will renew the prescription. During all these months I was taking calcium tablets with vitamin D daily but never in conjuction with Actonel. Read More Read Less

GYN prescribed Actonel after a DEXASCAN (there was no vitamin D deficiency test, calcium level check or thyroid check). The nurse practitioner said every one of their patients had failed their DEXASCAN that day and were prescribed Actonel (how accurate was the DEXASCAN machine & how competent was the tech). The GYN gave me a free two-month supply of Actonel. I began taking Actonel once a week (on Sunday) in January 2005. Easy to take - I drank two full glasses of water with it just to be sure. By October 2006 my dentist referred me to a periodontist for severe unexplained gum recession. By June 2007 the gum recession was more severe. A bone/jaw scan done in 2000 was compared to a 2007 scan; periodontist stated I had severe bone loss & he could not repair the damage cause by Actonel until I stopped taking it for at least 4 years. He said Actonel stays in your body for 30+ years. I have been under periodontal care (every three months) since October 2006. His main concern: necrosis of the jaw. My other Actonel side effects: severe daily leg & foot cramps (charlie horses), atrial fibrillation (heart palpitations), severe headaches, dizziness, joint, bone & muscle pain, difficult & painful swallowing, cracking & popping of my cervical spine, hair loss & fatigue. My GYN refused to let me discontinue Actonel & maintained it was good for me. On July 1, 2011 I had an endoscopy (I have continual sore throats and LPR - reflux in my throat - and both Prilosec & Aciphex caused severe side-effects). The gastroenterologist found a gastric mucosal abnormality, erythema in the esophagus and hematin (altered blood/coffee-ground-like material) in the stomach. He also biopsied a polyp in the esophagus. If you are otherwise healthy (as I was before starting Actonel), please get a second opinion and request an alternate treatment to Actonel.Read More Read Less

I would not recommend this drug to anyone. I experienced flu-like symptoms for two days after taking one dose of the 150 mg.once a month treatment. Its now 6 days later, and I have terrible joint pain all over my body, the worst being my very stiff neck, my back and my wrists and hands. Tomorrow I see my Dr. Perhaps she can tell me if this medication ever leaves one's system. After reading patient reviews (after the fact)I am not feeling very optimistic. By the way, I took acetaminophen for the pain, and it did nothing for it, even tho it was 2 tablets at 650 mg each. Read More Read Less

Excellent experience with Actonel for years. No side effects. Bone density increased. Insurance dropped Actonel so changed to Boniva. Now have muscle pain and problems with joints, feel sluggish, put on weight. Always been very active. Have to consider side effects related to new drug. Will try to get doctor to find a way to get me back on Actonel.

Taking Actonel 35mg weekly for 3 months. Always have nausea for couple of hours after taking it. Haven't had another bone density test yet, so I don't know if is working. However, it is my understanding that Actonel only reduces bone loss. It doesn't claim to replace bone mass. I'm unsure if there might be another way to increase bone mass without taking this or a similar type drug.

I have had no problems at all. Have been on this drug for three years and each yearly Bone Scan has shown improvement in my bone density.

I began taking Foxamax ten years ago. When I went from the daily pill to the weekly one I had and allergic reaction. I changed to Actonel and have been taking the monthly one since it came on the market with good results. How long can I take this medication for it to continue doing good?

I have been taking the 150 mg, once a month dosage of Actonel for the last 7 months. I have not had the one-year bone density test yet ( due in June 2011), so I don't know how the drug has worked for me. I can say that I have not had any side effects at all.

Took one monthly dose--will not repeat. Felt like i had been hit by a Mack truck--every muscle and bone in my body ached for 4 days. Even hurt to breathe. I have had the flu that did not bowl me over as bad as this. Approved by the FDA--Ha! It's a joke.

The very fist time I took this med. I woke up vomiting, nauseous, and with the worst head ache I have ever had. I WILL NOT TAKE THIS POISON AGAIN!

my bones ache for a couple of days is this normal? sometimes really bad

After two years of taking this drug my bone density test showed no improvement. The muscle cramps were terrible as was the indigestion. I am now taking 3 calcium citrate pills a day each 500mg. My nails are better so hopefully when I have another scan it will show no further bone loss.

I have been blind in one eye from a blood clot which blocked my macular artery, causing permanent retina damage, for 7 years. I just read that another woman in my age group suffered the same devastating outcome of Actonel use. I have absolutely no risk factors for a blood clot or stroke, and lost my vision after 11 weeks of actonel use. My life has been permanently damaged with this disability. The FDA needs to intervene and pull this dangerous drug from the market. Please do not take this medication!Read More Read Less

After taking Actenol the 1st month, began to notice that I had more joint pain than I had in years. After the 2nd month, began feeling so fatigued with flu-like symptoms that I began missing work. Finally realized what was happening and threw away the remaining doses. Side effects lasted 2 more months before I felt normal again. Now the Dr wants me to try Prolia...ha ha! No telling how long the side effects would last from an injection that is supposed to last 6 months.

I have been taking monthly dose for 6 months but can no longer stand the horrible side effects; fever, chills, vomiting, severe bone and muscle pain as well as 20 pound weight loss. Side effects do not outweigh benefit when you feel so bad and can't function for days after taking what is supposed to help prevent further bone loss. Back to Calcium tablets for me- the misery is not worth it.

I WAS ON FORTEO FOR 2 YEAR'S AND NOW I AM ON ACTENOL35 MG'S A WEEK. MY DR. ALSO GAVE ME SOMETHING FOR HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX. SO FAR SO GOOD. I WOULD RECOMMED THIS DRUG I AM 53 FEMALE. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL

Two years ago I quit taking the drug because of dizzines. Three weeks ago I started trying to take it again. The second week I began to have loower back pain and today after the third dose, I am having extreme upper and lower back pain. Will no longer take it and do not plan to try any of the other medications. I take 1000mg o calcium daily, do moderate exercise and am76 years old.

Had a terrible reaction to this drug.The first time I tried it was on a Monday morning. Monday evening at bed time back pain was strange. Tuesday back pain became worse. Came home late eve and could barely walk up the two flights of stairs to my bedroom and managed to lie down. Could not get up and walk by 10pm. Severe back pain and spasms. Went by ambulance to the ER. Ended up in the hospital until Friday. All kinds of tests. No diagnosis. Pain Meds galore. By Sunday, I was almost better. On Monday, except for fear of more problem, I was better. One week after taking it and it wore off. Never want to go thru that again. Read More Read Less