Actonel and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say

• Min...
• June 22, 2009

For Osteoporosis "By the end of the first day, I was very lethargic and had abdominal cramps and bloating, followed by diarrhea. Throughout the night and all through the second day, I experienced flu-like symptoms, relieved slightly with aspirin, but continued with abdominal tenderness and discomfort as well as feeling very lethargic. By the third day, the muscle aches were gone, but the abdominal tenderness persisted. My appetite did go down. Hopefully, there is truth to the notion that the first dose is the most difficult in terms of side effects."

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2011

For Osteoporosis "I took Actonel for 7 months. I'm 55 years young and active! One day each month after taking Actonel, I had flu-like symptoms for 4 months and then it got better, however, I experienced esophagus burning."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2023

For Paget's Disease "Started taking weekly Actonel in May 2023 for borderline osteoporosis. Had flu-like symptoms, which soon stopped. But I quickly developed pain in my left quadriceps muscle, then pain in left knee joint and groin-these continue. Now having muscle stiffness in both quads, and I experience fatigue that limits walking. Prior to starting Actonel, I had no other medical issues, not even arthritis. I take no other medication-except for ibuprofen now, which doesn't control the pain. If no improvement in bone density score this coming May, I will stop taking Actonel."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2012

For Osteoporosis "The first few months, I experienced flu-like symptoms. Then, joint and muscle pain followed. I couldn't even walk or climb stairs without pain. I am only 52! After 10 months on it, I gave up."