I have not had any side effects and have been taking Actonel for nearly 5 years. My last bone scan showed an improvement.
Most voted negative review
7 People found this comment helpful
jhihih
Shared reviews and ratings
Most Helpful
Most Recent
Highest Total Rating
High Satisfaction
Low Satisfaction
No data
Calli | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/29/2008
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
With history of osteoporsis and poor bone density tests I was put on Actonel and after about 6 months had severe epigastric pain (at bottom of my breast bone area). I thought I would die from a heart attack as I have had heart by pass surgery years ago. I stopped the medicine and went on Rx for my stomach pain. After 6 months I tried it once again, and had the same problem. So stopped it for good. Also, the dentist just told me she couldn't do any tooth extractions and I would have to go to a specialist since Actonel has shown to cause problems during dental extractions. ???Read More Read Less
16
Report this post
WebMD | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/15/2008
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have tried it for 2 months and I get the same reaction. I tried every other week instead of every week. Same reaction, even worse pain in spine and lumbar. So bad that it causes paralysis with instant loss of balance and no control. It felt as if my head was being thrown down. The resulting fall put me flat on my face and cut my arm on a chest as I could not move my arms or hands to grab anything close to prevent the blow. I will not continue the Actonel. It evidently intensifies my RA to the degree of Severe even Rare side effect. There must be other ways of combating bone thinning without these drugs, Foxamax, Actonel, etc. which all have the same type of side effects.Read More Read Less
17
Report this post
glc | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/3/2008
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
After taking for 2 months, I had a very severe swallowing episode after taking the first pill beginning my third month. Was eating lunch and food would not go down. Very scary. I stopped taking immediately.
13
Report this post
mommym85 | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
I have had a few UTI in the last year, and my eyes are dry and tearing. I have not taken actonel for a 10 days and feel like I have lost weight.
7
Report this post
mtcwithy1 | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
3/21/2008
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
After taking Boniva for 1 year then Actonel for 1 year, I had steadily worsening back pain. Finally after 2 urgent care visits in 2 months, then a trip to the hosital ER for intolerable shooting pain up my back, I stopped taking it. I've had 3 months with no more back pain. I have nothing else to attribute this horrible pain to as my MRI, x-rays, and all other tests were perfectly normal according to an orthopedic surgeon I saw. This side effect should be moved up on the list of possible severe side effects.Read More Read Less
21
Report this post
Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
3/19/2008
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been taking (actonel) for 18 months after 1 year I started experiencing bone and joint pain mostly in knee and back lately it's my jaw bone also notice right eye has gotten blury. Yes it increased my bone density but is it worth all these problems was perfectly healthy prior to taking medication and I do not take any other medications.
27
Report this post
Barbara | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
2/12/2008
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have taken this for 4 years. I have experienced worsening heartburn and joint pain for the last 6 months. I am stopping this drug and seeking alternatives.
24
2
Report this post
none | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/26/2008
Condition: Osteoporosis
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
After four years of waiting, I see that actonel, etc has been found to cause atrial fibrillation - therefore strokes. I am blind in one eye because of a blood clot that I know was caused by actonel. It is about time the drug companies should be blamed for the tragic outcome after using their drugs. I am very angry that the FDA did not test this drug thoroughly enough to find this problem before I took it and changed my life forever.
70
1
Report this post
kitty | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/22/2008
Condition: Osteoporosis
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
5
6
Report this post
rahul | 7-12 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Caregiver
1/22/2008
Condition: Osteoporosis
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
jhihih
1
7
Report this post
debbie | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/5/2008
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
After the first full month on Actonel, I began having some kind of reaction starting with a flushed feeling. It felt like millions of stabs of heat on my neck and arms resulting in very red skin and leaving a raised rash that looked like hives. I've had two other similar experiences...one not so bad but the other was much worse with the intense stabs of heat radiating to my scalp in addition to my arms and neck and chest. The last time I took the medicine I felt badly for the two days I took the medicine but felt better the day after. I have also experienced some slight joint pain. I have taken the medicine for only 4 months and have not spoken to my physician regarding this reaction.Read More Read Less
I have had two days of severe pain in my left hip-then it disapeared I am wondering if it is the reson.I've only been taking it 2 months so I don't know the effectiveness.
18
5
Report this post
Anonymous | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
12/29/2007
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was nervous about this before I started. I've been on for about a year...no new density test so I can't say for sure if it is working but relatively easy to use. Other than a couple of nighttime leg cramps that may be a side effect, I have had no problems.
20
3
Report this post
workinggrandma | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/20/2007
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I took this for a period of two months and experienced severe headaches at the base of my scull/top of spine for two days after each weekly dose in addition to random bone and joint pain.
32
1
Report this post
Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
10/28/2007
Condition: Osteoporosis
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Have taken for 2 years and would have wished for better bone density results
38
3
Report this post
Anonymous | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USER-GENERATED CONTENT ON WEBMD
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions.