About Actonel Medication

Actonel Medication Facts

Popular Questions

osteoporosis & Actonel Medication problems with this drug? I was diagnosed with oseoporosis at age 52 having been on the drug for 3yrs the muscles in my arms and hands seem to be wasting away, my fingers are splaying out too. Does anyone else have this problem with Actonel or anything closely related to my problem. I would really appreciate any information on this.

Misty P replied: "It sounds like you are starting to have rheumatoid arthritis and may need to switch drugs, talk to your doctor."

Stay on Actonel for bone loss? I was prescribed Actonel about 3 years ago for bone loss. I have not taken it for about 4 months now. Once a person starts to have osteoparosis and prescribed a medication like Actonel...do you have to take it the rest of your life?

nutmegs23 replied: "it's likely that you should. your doctor should be following your bone density with ultrasounds or dexa scans. if it dramatically improves there is a chance you can stop it but otherwise I would recommend it. taking a med is a pain but breaking a hip is sooooo much worse!"

For all you professional hairdressers out there: will any particular medicines affect my hair/getting a perm? I have always had baby fine hair which has thinned out with age (54). I have Parkinson's disease and some osteoporosis (am falling apart and that's why I want my hair to at least look good!). My current medications include Actonel, Azilect, Lexapro, Requip, and Zocor -- do you know if any of these meds would affect my getting a perm or body wave? Would really hate to see my hair coming off on the rollers!! Seriously, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks!

LLBT D replied: "ha you dont know that answer LOL"

Laural replied: "Don't do the perm is my advice. Your hair will look like a used SOS pad."

Is it common to have problems tolerating new osteoporosis meds? Several months ago the doctor said my low bone density should be treated. He tried me on Fosamax first and I got so sick. I didn't know for a while that it was the medication doing it, but it totally tore up my intestinal tract and I dropped down to 93 lbs. After several months of recovery, and taking Prilosec with meals; he has started me on Actonel. This week was my second dose and I am starting to have terrible abdominal pain and diarrhea. It all feels too familiar.

Joseph replied: "Yes, what you describe is definitely one of the unpleasant symptoms of many of these meds against osteoporosis. I do not take them just for this reason. The stomach pains are so bad I can't tolerate it. I therefore just try to eat lots of foods that contain Calcium and also add Calcium+D pills. I have had no bone loss in the past 5 years, I do walk everyday for an hour it has been said it helps to keep the bones strong."

OSTEOPOROSIS medication question...? I have spinal cord injury and recently diagnosed with osteoporosis... which of these medication is more effective for my bones • actonel • aredia • boniva • didronel • evista • Forteo • fosamax • miacalcin • zometa • vivelle • reclas ps- im 26 !

Jaleel replied: "your 26 with osteoporosis !! That is shocking it might be a wrong diagnosis"

me_n_chico replied: "My doctor took me off actonel, boniva, evista,fosamax over the years-they never worked. I'm 54 yrs old and the only one that worked for me was miacalcin spray. I went from having swiss cheese bones to strong bones. I had a total hysterectomy at age 35 and finally my bones are stronger. Good Luck."

momoftwo replied: "speak with an obgyn, maybe even the dr who diagnosed you with osteoporosis........if you get pregnant and drink TONS of milk and other bone building foods....brocoli, buck choy, rhubarb, yogurt, cheese, supplements, bananas.......you can actually build bone. check into food supplements though. I've heard most about boniva and know someone who took evista. she did well with evista.....good luck"

sue replied: "I have heard of really good things on the Forteo injections. I have heard that they actually do work. However I have also heard that the average person cannot afford them. They are about $700/mo. and the insurance companies won't help pay for it. I am not so sure about some of the other meds. My husband has been taking fosamax for more than 10 years and it hasn't done a thing for him. Yes the osteoporosis isn't any worse, but it isn't better either. to check out all these drugs go to and under the drugs tab find the name of it and read all the info available."

Anyone taking Actonel? I am only 39 and have been on medication for Osteopenia for 3 yeas. The first two years and a half years I was taking Boniva and there was no improvement in my bone density.I started taking Actonel and after a few months I started feeling a lot of chest pressure, shortness of breath, fatigue, joint pain and difficulty swallowing. I went to my doctor and he says those are just side effects and to continue taking the medication. That doesn't sound right. Has anyone else had adverse effects from taking actonel? Is there a way to improve bone density without taking prescription medication? My doctor says that I can take all the calcium I want but without medication it won't stay in the body. Is that true? I don't have any other medical conditions. Thanks a lot for reading. * 2

SavvySue replied: "Since you are familiar with this class of drugs, I assume you have been staying upright for at least a half an hour after taking it and have taken it on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. I noticed that you didn't mention Fosamax? Have you tried that one? I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution to this problem."

*granny* replied: "I have had side affects to Fosomax, but most people handle it quite well. I have Barrett's Esophagus (erosions in my upper stomache and into my esophagus) It is quite painful, but any of the bone density medicines will affect me the same way. All I can take is the calcium magnesium/D vitamin. Most people tolerate these kinds of meds okay, and as Savvy Sue says, try a different brand to see if it works better for you. I thought I was nearly dying from the meds because of upper abdominal pain and back pain, but this is rare. I have Addison's disease in addition to the other conditions. Wishing you the very best in finding a treatment that will work well for you with no side affects."

Classy Granny replied: "I am 62 and have been on Actonel for a few years now with no side effects. You can not be expected to live with all the side effects you are experiencing. I would seek the opinion of another doctor. Besides Bovina and Actonel there are other drugs to be tried."

Actonel poisoning? I'm interested in hearing from anyone who's used Actonel for osteoporosis. I took it as prescribed (one pill, two consecutive days). By the end of day two, I was ill with virtually every stated side-effect of the medication: flu-like symptoms, all-over body pain, difficulty breathing and swallowing. I was unable to keep anything down for four days. In addition to all that unpleasantness, I displayed symptoms so severe that my husband thought I was having a stroke. It was -- is -- terrifying for my family (and me). It's now been six days, and I'm finally beginning to feel like I did before the poisoning (well, what else to call it?). Please share your experiences -- good or bad -- with the stuff. And if you're taking something with good result for osteoporosis, I'd love to know -- especially if you've had bad experiences with other meds. Thanks...

CriddyGirl replied: "Well, there are several ways to take Actonel. What is the milligram on the med....if it 35mg you are only suppose to take it once per week (and that is the dose that most Dr's give) However, those symptoms are not normal at the severity you described, I would call your Dr first thing tomorrow....there are other meds you can try for Osteoporosis!! (I have worked for a Gyn for 9 years) Good Luck!!"

can any one help me in my proscription medication just for three months supply? i will be 65 in march,to get my medicare coverage.i worked almost 22 years in an electronic comp and laid off june/2006 with one year insurance protection from the company as a great help but that covearage exausted on july/1/2007,as i have no job and a very small early retirement check only $733/month.last time i asked help from yahoo to find free health insurance for my medical and health coverage,which some one showed me how to find a program called sunshine,that helped.since i have my priscription drugs from the previous coverage so i never thought that priscription drugs will be such a huge finalcial bordon on me,though all my doctor's visit and antibiotics priscriptions were just for $4/ for a week,now i need levoxyl for my thoyroid and actonel,for osteoproces,which is beyond my power to buy,one is $100the other $26 from walmart.is there any one can tell me how to get low low price just for 3 months,i have only 3 days supply left then i will not have any medication to use.

skwonripken replied: "Call the doctor. Explain your problem and see if he has any samples to hold you over."

crystala_14 replied: "astra zeneca has a program to help ppl with their Rx. the like is below maybe that can help you. also some insurance agencies have programs for Rx. i have farm bureau and they have discount cards for Rx. the AARP offers a similar program as well. try the links hope one of them can help you. if not i would go the the pharmacy and see if they know anything. I live my CVS try Wallgreens as well they my have info that can help."

angelpie7me replied: "If I understand you correctly, you currently have no health insurance. This might be a very good thing if you financially qualify. You need to go to the nearest pharmacy, find out who the manufacturer of all the prescriptions you need are...you might find that one or two prescriptions are made by the same company. Then come back home with all the company names and look up their phone numbers on-line and find out if they have low cost prescription plans, or free plans. Most of them do. You might qualify for the free, but the low cost plans might run you sometimes for $15 a script."

Medication Madness!? Doctor says Syntheroid must be taken in am 1/2 hour before taking other meds. But also have to take Actonel once a week..& Actonel must be taken 1/2 hour before other meds or eating. Also have to take Celexa and Ativan in the am. Am Diabetic, so most days blood sugar is low and have to eat within about 15 minutes. (Take insulin, too, but don't think insulin affects any of these medications) Any ideas of how to comply with instructions and still get all medications into me in the morning? I obviously can't sit around for 2-3 hours timing these meds. Forgot to say I usually have to eat within 15 minutes of awakening. That puts the spin on things!

iksnoko16 replied: "Hmm that's a toughie, there's lots of pharmacists on the site, I know you can find some, and they can definitely better answer this question. I know it's hard to change medicines, but maybe there's a way you can interchange some of your prescriptions. It also may be wise to go down to your local pharmacy and see if they have any advice. I hope I atleast helped a smidge! Good luck! and I feel for you."

JNS replied: "Get up 1/2 hour early, just to take the the Actonel on the day you have to take it. Take Syntheroid at scheduled time, it doesn't interfere with insulin or food. Hope this helps. Good Luck."

belfus replied: "take the actonel in the morning and take the synthroid at night"

Ladyoasis replied: "I know this is not part of the question, but if your blood sugar is too low in the morning, talk to your doctor to adjust your insulin dose at evening or bedtime. You shouldn't have to rush in the morning to eat because of your blood sugar.About the Synthroid and the Actonel... The day of the week you take the Actonel, take the Synthroid later. But you must take the Actonel as directed to make the weekly dose effective. The rest of the week, try to take the Synthroid as directed. You can take the Celexa and the Ativan with your breakfast."

Are biphosphonates safe or do they cause osteonecrosis? My oncologist prescribed Actonel to prevent osteoporosis. As part of my breast cancer treatment, they have chemically induced menopause. Now, my Infectious Disease doctor/husband, has read that these medications can cause osteonecrosis. Since I am just 50, I had planned on taking the Actonel on a long term basis. Is this safe? Before talking with my oncologist, I want to gather information. Please advise. Thanks.

April G replied: "There have been some cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients, but the numbers are small. Everything is a risk, there are no free lunches. Actonel and Fosamax both increase bone mass, and studies have shown that the bone mass is as good as if it were never not there. Fractures of the hand, spine etc., (Dowager's Hump) are less in patients taking these medications. Caucasion women, and Asians are particularly prone to osteoporosis, since they are naturally lighter boned than say black women---i.e. they begin menapause with less bone mass. You probably now are producing no estrogen, therefore are open to bone resorption at a faster level than if you were on HRT. Estrogen keeps a woman "younger" than she would otherwise be -- estrogen keeps collegen in place, slows the process of wrinkles, allows vaginal tissues to remain thick and strong, reduced constipation by keeping the lower bowel fit, keeps mental accuity, and on and on and on. But estrogen dependent cancers tend to kill, so women with estrogen dependent cancers generally have a hysterectomy with ovary removal. The interesting thing about Actonel and Fosamax is that even if you acquire osteonecrosis of the jaw, even if you stop, the drug remains in your system for years.....that's why it is no big deal to miss a week once in a while, or to not take the pill every day of the same week. In your place, the threat of osteoporosis is a greater one than osteonecrosis of the jaw. I take Fosamax, and plan to do so for the rest of my life...."

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