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Zoledronic acid User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

Brand names: Reclast, Zometa, Aclasta

Zoledronic acid has an average rating of 5.0 out of 10 from a total of 418 reviews on Drugs.com. 34% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 45% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Zoledronic acid

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Jon...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 12, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "HORRIBLE!! The injection itself was a piece of cake, and the first night had zero problems. Night #2 started off with some muscle aches. NBD (no big deal), the doctor warned of flu-like symptoms. The aches got worse as the evening progressed. I got up feeling very restless, and when I touched the floor, I realized I was FREEZING COLD! The coldest I have ever felt in my life. At the same moment, starting with my feet, I had severe muscle cramping up the entire length of my body. I was scared to death! I thought I was having a stroke or something as I lost complete control of my body. I lay back down and willed myself not to pass out. I’m not sure whether I did or not! Several hours later, I was able to get up and take some Motrin to help with the muscle pain. Semi-normal by morning, but completely freaked out! Now, several weeks later, I am having massive hair loss! This drug SUCKS!"

3 / 10
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  • Bx5...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 30, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I received my first infusion on March 22 and had no problem at all. I did increase my fluid intake the days before and after the infusion, and I also took a mild painkiller. I was extremely nervous after reading so many negative reviews on this website. The infusion was pain-free, I had no side effects whatsoever and felt completely well. I am a 72-year-old who has severe osteoporosis, and this year I have been without fractures. I am due for my second infusion soon."

9 / 10
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45 Report
  • Sno...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 16, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I had this infusion of Reclast for Osteoporosis. I have had a rib fracture and L1 compression fracture. The next morning after the injection, I had side effects of flu symptoms, fever, and chills. The worst is the severe joint pain. My knees are so swollen and stiff that I am unable to walk without a cane or assistance. Also, my thumbs are swollen and painful. It has been 3 days, so I can’t really say if any of this is worth it. But, I don’t think I would use this drug again. I’m being told by the doctor that it may take a week to several weeks for the side effects to subside."

5 / 10
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84 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Nea...
  • April 13, 2011

For Osteoporosis "I have had good results with Reclast for osteoporosis. I've had 3 infusions in three years. I am scheduled to have my 4th this May. I have had no fractures during this time. I have had flu-like side effects that lasted 1-3 days each time I've had my infusions. However, if you have them infuse the Reclast slower over 30 minutes vs. 15 minutes, and you get well hydrated before and stay hydrated well after, it will help. There is currently a warning letter out in Canada sent by Novartis regarding Reclast causing serious kidney issues, a few leading to kidney failure, dialysis, and even death. Our FDA has not responded to this. Make sure you have your kidney doctor's blessing before you take Reclast. I see mine next week."

8 / 10
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171 Report
  • Pil...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 20, 2017

For Osteoporosis "Do not use this drug or any bisphosphonate. The first year I used it, 3 of my fingernails had lifted off their nail bed. The 2nd year, I got osteonecrosis of my left lower jaw. I lost 3 teeth and cannot have implants due to poor bone quality. The 3rd year, my doctor had decided not to give it to me. I still suffered side effects of this drug. I was standing in one place ironing a shirt when I heard a pop in my leg and could feel my femur moving over. That was 2 years ago, and my femur is still fractured. I just had my 4th surgery and am hoping this heals my fracture."

1 / 10
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108 Report

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  • kat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 31, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I wasn't told anything about water or Tylenol before infusion till I got to the office to have my infusion (too late). I had excruciating pain about 3 am that night. Hardly walk, headache, nausea, pain in chest like I had broken all my ribs at one time. If I had been told to drink a lot of water the day before and the day before I got my infusion there may have been a different outcome. Three days later now, I am better but now have diarrhea but was constipated so I figured it was coming. My doctor is going to get an earful when I get to see her. I was told this was my only option because of stomach issues and I hate shots."

5 / 10
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  • Wow...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 25, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I just finished 8 infusions of Evenity and am thrilled with the improvement in my bone density. Eight days ago, I got the Reclast IV. The body aches and pains in my hands and feet are debilitating. My pain medicines offer minimal and short-lived relief. I have had to set up an account to have my groceries picked up. There’s no way I would make it through the grocery store. I’m very concerned and worried about when I’ll be able to get back to my routine."

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Wil...
  • August 10, 2013

For Osteoporosis "The first dose gave me muscle pain and weakness that left me in bed, trying not to move in an attempt to minimize the pain. For two days, every breath I took was accompanied by significant pain. Even though I was laying as still as possible, I still needed to breathe. I was assured that the pain is milder the second time around. They were right, the pain did not outweigh my will to move, which was fortunate because I had nausea and vomiting the next day. My doctor was able to prescribe anti-nausea meds, which helped significantly. I suggest anyone who takes this have someone who can help them out the next few days, just in case."

5 / 10
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142 Report
  • 202...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 25, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had my first and only Reclast infusion 23 days ago. About 9 hours after the infusion, I started feeling ill, I had terrible chills, shaking violently for two hours. At 2:00 a.m., I went to the ER with a fever of 102.4 and pain everywhere. I had heart surgery to repair my mitral valve 2 1/2 years ago and have been taking an arrhythmia drug for 2 years, and I’ve been fine. Since the infusion, I am tired, I have a fib and bigeminy several times a day, chest pain, and unbearable calf pain. This drug has ruined my health and my life. Do not take it."

1 / 10
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39 Report
  • Rec...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 5, 2015

For Osteoporosis "Had my second infusion three days ago and had absolutely no side effects both times. Experienced a dramatic 7-1/2% increase in bone density from the treatment after 8 straight DEXA scans reflecting consistent bone loss. Could not be more pleased."

10 / 10
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119 Report
  • Ste...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 11, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Had my first Reclast infusion on 9/9/19. I was petrified after reading several reviews. The nurses reassured me they do this 5 days a week. The drug has been out for years. Glad to report no side effects yet. Think of it as a coating on your bones to keep you from breaking a bone. Will come back next year."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 19, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I took one infusion six months ago. After taking it, I woke up in the middle of the night with nausea, and my whole body was crippled up. I got to the bathroom and took ibuprofen. Was able to get back to the bed. Better the next day. A few days later, I had trouble walking, and my toes were numb. I still suffer from lower back pain and other side effects. Never again. I won’t know for a while if it was effective. This was much worse than the flu-like symptoms I read about."

1 / 10
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  • Des...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 17, 2016

For Osteoporosis "After having osteopenia progress to osteoporosis and not tolerating oral medications, my doctor suggested Reclast. I had my first infusion on Dec 26, 2015 and within days suffered incapacitating pain in my hands. It was so bad, I couldn't hold a toothbrush without tears due to the pain. Additionally, I started to have severe upper jaw pain. The hand pain has improved but not gone away entirely. The jaw pain has not resolved at all, making it hard to chew. I would not recommend this drug to anyone and would NEVER, NEVER use it again."

1 / 10
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  • She...
  • April 12, 2015

For Osteoporosis "I have osteoporosis at age 49. I had Reclast on March 5, 2015. The side effects that I have experienced have been extreme. About 4 hours after the treatment, I felt a crushing sensation from shoulders to hips, difficulty breathing. Movement made it worse. Went to the ER, doctors administered IV Benadryl and steroid. I have experienced bone pain throughout my body, at times not able to move without pain. That has passed after 2 1/2 weeks. I have extreme tingling, itching, and redness in my entire body. The doctor put me on prednisone and hydroxyzine. This has not helped me. I am unable to sleep due to the itching. Has anyone else had these side effects? If so, what did you do to take care of it."

1 / 10
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  • Deb...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 23, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I had a Reclast infusion on 8/20/2019 for the first time. It took about 30 minutes to receive all of the medication. I was given water to drink while there. I left, did some errands, and felt fine. I had dinner with a friend and still felt great. I went to bed and woke up about 12 hours after receiving my dose with severe clavicle and neck pain. I took 500mg of Acetaminophen and started drinking water. I was concerned that I hadn’t consumed enough water prior to taking the treatment. I probably consumed close to 64 ounces of water during this time. The pain subsided enough for me to fall asleep around 8:00 am, and when I woke up later, my body felt achy, and I had a low-grade fever. Those symptoms were uncomfortable but tolerable compared to the severe pain earlier. I continued to take Acetaminophen to help with the aches and fever and woke up on day two feeling fine. In summation, my negative symptoms only lasted 24 hours."

7 / 10
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75 Report
  • No...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 5, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I went from osteoporosis to osteopenia after the 2nd year infusion. No side effects, but they gave me Benadryl and Tylenol just before infusion. I am on year 4 and getting infusion tomorrow. I get one more year and then they say I will take a drug vacation."

10 / 10
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75 Report
  • Rmc...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 2, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "72-year-old female, in excellent health, except for the usual arthritis. I was infused with Reclast at our Osteoporosis Center. That night, I awakened with pain all over my body, I could barely move, terribly nauseous, my hands were the worst. The nurse called the next day, FRIDAY, to check on me. I told her what was happening, she said flu-like symptoms were normal (what was she thinking?). I said these aren’t flu-like, she said someone would call me MONDAY! I hung up on her. Monday, I was in the ER, all my blood work was abnormal. This has been the worst experience of my life. It’s been 2 weeks since I had Reclast, and I cried myself to sleep last night from the pain in my hands. Why aren’t people warned about this? And since the drug company knows these side effects hit 1 in 6 patients, why isn’t there a protocol for doctors to follow to relieve the pain? I pray every night this medicine strengthens my bones and all this suffering was worth it."

2 / 10
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46 Report
  • Bar...
  • September 29, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I just got this a month ago so I can't comment on the results. I do want to say I had NO side effects at all after getting the infusion. In fact, I went straight to work, did fine all day, and all the days afterwards."

10 / 10
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76 Report
  • Mar...
  • May 25, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I chose Reclast over Prolia because of the cost savings. The infusion was given at 9 am and 7 pm. On that night, I was experiencing severe bone pain, fever, sweats, and blurred vision. The pain was so great that all I could do was moan and cry. This lasted for two days, and then the pain lessened. By early morning of day 3, I began to have chest pain. The pain came and went every few minutes for 15 hours. When I called to ask for pain medication, his response was, 'I’m not actively treating you for cancer, go to your primary care doctor.' My oncologist prescribed me this poison, and he didn’t want to help me. When the chest pain started, I begged to come into his office just to check me out. I felt like I was going to die, and their response was 'we can’t do anything for you, go to the ER.' Absolutely no empathy for his patient and clearly did not care for my well-being, physically or mentally. I will never take this drug again! Beware of taking Reclast."

1 / 10
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  • lou...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 19, 2024

For Osteoporosis "I had my 1st infusion Jan 29, 2024. I get my next one for 2025. This has been a positive experience, no side effects at all. I am anxious to get a Dexa scan, although it may take more time to fully take effect!"

10 / 10
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  • DR ...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 13, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "After having a Reclast injection, I had three days of low fever of 100.5, headache, stomach ache, and lupus-like rashes. It reduced renal function and caused dark, foaming urine. More harm than any good to my health, a huge mistake."

1 / 10
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  • unh...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 26, 2018

For Osteoporosis "I had two infusions during a two-year period. One day, suddenly, I had so much pain in my upper leg. I had no trauma prior to the pain. A bone scan shows I had a typical fracture on my femur. The doctor didn't tell me about the side effects of the drug. I am so disappointed. I thought the drug was supposed to strengthen my bones but does the opposite."

1 / 10
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  • Slv...
  • December 13, 2015

For Osteoporosis "At age 54, failed my bone density had lost 20% of my bone mass in one year. I participated in two blind studies and increased calcium and intake. At the end of studies, I found I had the placebos but had some positive results but not enough. Had my first Reclast yearly infusion in 2012, no side effects, and regained 10% of lost bone at bone scan. Had the second yearly infusion this past October again no side effects, hoping for another positive scan in May."

9 / 10
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107 Report
  • Blu...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 28, 2020

For Hypercalcemia of Malignancy "My oncologist ordered this as a bone treatment. I was doing just fine without it. Now my legs are in pain, and I'm tired most of the time. I will NEVER take this crap again. It's a typical poison that America's corrupt pharmaceutical industry pushes on people. There are other, safer ways to get your damaged bones to absorb calcium. I have nothing but the most profound contempt for the makers of this product."

1 / 10
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73 Report
  • Gra...
  • December 11, 2016

For Osteoporosis "I had an anaphylactic reaction, and a week later still have muscle pains in every muscle, chest pain, 'blocked' ears, metallic taste in my mouth, grey tongue covering, constipation, and extremely painful feet, hands, and chest. This drug is POISON to my system. It will be in my body for over a year. Will these symptoms eventually ease?"

1 / 10
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