Evenity and Headaches: What Users Say

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Had 11 months of injections. Injections aren't comfortable but tolerable. Sometimes I would get a headache, but by months 8 or 9, I was noticing aching in my hands, wrists, elbows, hips, etc. As I was so close to the 12 months, I continued through the 11 months. Didn't have the last injections and haven't had an injection since the beginning of February. I have always been active by walking, mountain biking, skiing, hiking, etc., and watching my diet, supplements, etc. I now feel like I have arthritis. All blood work is perfect, DEXA improved in the spine by 49%, pretty impressive. Where I had osteoporosis in three sites, I only have osteoporosis in my hip. But I am so stiff early in the morning, and dull aching wakes me up at night sometimes. I am hopeful and prayerful that these side effects will go away. Am switching now to Fosamax or Reclast, but the Evenity journey is one to keep an eye on. I kind of wish I had stopped sooner as I believe, not 100% certain, that the most benefit is in the first 6 months. I'm 67."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I took Evenity after an endocrinologist, with my immunologist’s blessing, decided it would help with osteoporosis after a hip stress fracture. It was the worst decision to listen to them, it’s poison! I felt sick after the first shot but wasn’t sure if it was the flu or not, so I continued taking it. After the second shot, I started experiencing diarrhea and swelling in my throat and mouth. By the third shot, my jaw started twitching and moving on its own. My upper and lower back teeth hurt, and I was biting my mouth, tongue, and cheeks while eating and even during the night. I also had headaches, continued flu-like symptoms, added fatigue, insomnia, and an overall feeling of being unwell. I finally stopped taking Evenity after the sixth shot, even though it was prescribed for 12 months. Now, I have a twisted jaw where my teeth no longer match up, and I can only eat using the teeth on my left side, which is horrible. The doctor prescribing it and my primary care physician never mentioned these horrible side effects in their notes. I saw an orthodontist, and my bite is completely off."

• Shr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Just completed round #9 of 12 injections. Things potential patients should know: 1) The injections are painful...think cortisone joint injection painful, but not quite. 2) Expect post-injection swelling, sensitivity, itching, etc. 3) Expect to have some degree of generalized malaise in the days following your injections. After the first round, I, personally, felt like I had the flu...minus any fever, nausea, or vomiting. Severe headache and body aches. Subsequent injections brought similar after-effects, though to a somewhat lesser degree. With every visit, you are asked the same questions about your general health-any new/planned dental surgery (osteonecrosis of the jawbone), stroke/heart attack, serious illness, or infection which makes me more than a little concerned about the long-lasting negative impacts on my health. At my most recent visit with the doctor, he indicated the best bone density improvement will only be about 10%. In my opinion, that's not much considering all the pain and misery I feel while taking it."

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 17, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I have just finished my last injections (12 months). I had very minor side effects, mostly site pain which was no worse than a yearly flu shot! I did get headaches which were relieved by Tylenol, but not awful and very tolerable! The first few shots I had mild nausea in the morning, but very little in later shots! I had absolutely no muscle aches or pain throughout all the shots. About 5 days after the shots, any mild side effects I had went totally away. I was terrified to start these shots after reading some of the reviews, but I am so glad I didn’t listen to them and followed through on all the shots! I have severe osteoporosis and after these shots my bone density has really improved! I am scheduled for a yearly Reclast infusion in a month which will assure that I don’t lose the bone I have gained over the past year."

• AGM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I have taken 11 courses of Evenity thus far...and every time I have had pain/swelling/itching at the injection site, headaches, body aches, lethargy, and trouble sleeping in the days following the injection...though admittedly, the ill effects are not as severe now as in the early days of the treatment. However, I am concerned about the long-term after-effects, mostly issues with my teeth/jawbone. While I have been closely monitored by my dentist and all appears well thus far, it's still a worry. And too, the potential for bone build/improvement is minimal at best--10% according to my doctor. Seems like a lot of misery to go through for such a little bit of potential improvement. My doctor also recommended I move to another injectable medication once I finish with Evenity, but they ALL carry the same terrible potential risks, so I declined. I hope to have some bone density improvement, but honestly, I do not expect much."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I'm going to be getting my 9th shot and have had little or no problems. The first 4 months I had headaches for a few hours, but a Tylenol took care of it. Now, I take a Tylenol before I get the 2 shots. Some tenderness at the shot site, but no different from a flu shot. I'll have a bone scan in October, it's July now. I feel positive, as my T score was -4 after too many years of Fosamax. I'm staying positive and don't concentrate on the 'what if.' I had to try something. I continue to walk 2 miles every day and try to lift weights. I'm 75 now, so I feel positive that I'm doing the best I can."

• Sop...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Started Evenity April 2022. Stopped after 2 injections due to jaw pain and increased headaches. I have migraines, and after taking Evenity, my migraines increased in intensity and frequency by 70%. Started again last month, nearly a year later, and my migraines are increasing again. Also broke out in large, very painful canker sores 2 times on the roof of my mouth, which lasted 2 weeks, with flu-like symptoms and significant fatigue. Also dealing with neck pain every day. Will be discussing stopping Evenity this week."

• Mar...
• October 27, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Last August, I completed 12 months of Evenity treatment. I had very mild side effects only on the day after each series of shots, a mild headache and a little tired, injection sites (each arm) sore and tender for a week. But completely tolerable. After 2 spinal compression fractures and 3 years of Reclast, I welcomed each Evenity shot! No new fractures, so that’s worth celebrating! My endo also got me into a program that paid for the drug copays."

• Joy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I have had three monthly injections of Evenity with very few side effects. I have had a slight headache but not severe. Also, joint discomfort with the last 2 injections. I am scheduled for the full year of treatment."

• wor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I really didn't want to be on this drug; however, my last bone density scan (at age 70) showed significant adverse changes compared to the prior two years (-3.2 spine). This was despite taking Vitamin D, Calcium, doing Pilates, tennis, yogalates. I felt I had no choice but to go forward. I have now completed 12 months of injections (2 shots every 4 weeks). The first month or two, I felt tired and headachey the day of and the morning after the injections. However, for the most part, I am relieved to say that I had no side effects. I don't know my bone density yet as I'm not scheduled for another scan until next year. I had the injections in my stomach because I have a bit of fat there. The shots are somewhat painful, but taking them in the fat area of my stomach didn't cause too much pain. My doctor now wants me to start Reclast. He believes my bone density is improved but may regress without continued treatment. Cross fingers with Reclast."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2024

For Osteoporosis "I have been on Evenity since Dec 2023. Was good at first, then the 3rd injection had severe pain down my arm, upper chest, and shoulders. Lasted for a week. After that, not too many side effects, but did gain weight in my stomach and abdomen. Get a headache the next day after injections. Just had my 10th injection, and the pain in my arms, shoulders, and wrists came back, lasted for a week again. Has numerous fractures in my back, so I had to try this. Back feels much stronger though."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2024

For Osteoporosis "Because of being diagnosed with osteoporosis due to menopause, it was suggested I try this. Not sure if I am happy with it or not. So far, I have had only 2 injections, so only 10 more to go. I had my choice of where I wanted the shots and chose behind my upper arm. I had no problem with the shot being administered. Did not really hurt and had no swelling or inflammation. I did have a slight headache, though. Same thing when I had the second shot, except this time I just felt like I was getting the flu. One thing I did notice since getting these shots, though, was that I had a constant throbbing pain in my legs, especially my right one. I thought I had MS or something and did not attribute it to the shot. There are days I can hardly walk, and I have a constant limp. I have tried natural oils and over-the-counter meds, but they only help for a short while. The pain is so uncomfortable that I could cry! I am not a crier, though. I am getting depressed about this and am not sure what to do."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I am 63 and was on Prolia, which caused me pain. I switched to Evenity. I just had my third injection. Yes, the injections hurt, but if they warm up, it's not as bad. But after the 2nd and 3rd injection, I have developed a knot that is so painful in one arm. I can't lift either arm after injections for days. But I was wondering if anyone experiences the lower back pain with Evenity. I have had days where I couldn't move in the morning without excruciating pain. And I do experience headaches. Hoping when I get a Dexa, it shows improvement because what I am experiencing is not pleasant."