Zoledronic acid and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I got my Reclast infusion almost two weeks ago. Eight hours afterward, I started feeling pain in my joints, ribs, hips, and especially my chest. I also felt this weird heartburn I had never felt before. The pain escalated to severe, it spread to my eye sockets, down my arms to my fingers. I got a splitting headache and started throwing up. I spent 15 excruciating hours in the ER, where a doctor eventually said that after researching Reclast, she saw that one-third of every patient who receives it experiences some variation of my symptoms. I seemed to recover, but I spent last night vomiting again. I am encouraged by reports here by people who have received benefits and will cross my fingers. But why are patients not alerted to the possibility of severe side effects?"

• Gai...
• August 23, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I’m a 63-year-old woman who had my first Reclast infusion on August 6th. So I’m 17 days out. Today I’m experiencing the worst joint pain in my legs, hips, arms, and the worst is in my neck. It seems like it is progressively getting worse. I’m trying so hard to remain hopeful that this disappears. It’s very hard to get out of bed each morning. Also, I was the one that the flu-like symptoms hit me hard at midnight right after I had the infusion. Worst chills ever. Couldn’t control them. My husband thought I was having convulsions. Fever spiked to 103.7. Those symptoms were gone after 3 days. But, the joint pain is more than awful. I’m looking to hear from someone with the same symptoms that the pain actually went away after a while. Don’t know if I can do this again. I had been on Prolia and it didn’t work as the doctor expected."

• Usu...
• July 10, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I am 64 and received my first Reclast infusion on June 21st to treat osteoporosis. I was careful to hydrate well and didn't develop any flu symptoms. My problems started the third day when I developed extremely severe eye pain. After 4 1/2 hours in Urgent care and multiple tests, the physician didn't think it looked like a typical Reclast reaction, but had no other explanation. A few days later my eye recovered, but then my hands swelled up. Fortunately, this resolved also, but then came the knee and joint pain. I suddenly have horrible knee bursitis for the first time in my life, and tendonitis in my ankles. My doctor thinks perhaps I'm dealing with some sort of autoimmune problem. I am now 18 days post-infusion, and I can barely walk or even get up out of a chair. Sheesh."

• B D...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I had Aclasta once a year 2012 - 2015 due to osteoporosis - Worst mistake I ever made! I have daily incapacitating and severe joint, muscle, and back pain, cannot have a tooth extracted due to osteonecrosis of the jaw (as per the maxillofacial surgeon), my vision became blurred almost immediately after the first session ... my life is no longer my healthy happy life, and I have to endure rhizotomies (which have not helped one bit) because of the back pain. Walking is painful. Shoulders are messed. There is no antidote for this drug either! This was not something we were told beforehand ... we are still deciding to join a class action against the company that manufactures this drug knowing what the side effects are! We would never have said yes! Do your research, guys!"

• Lat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2021

For Osteoporosis "The doctor never explained to me the adverse effects of this drug. I had a slight fever and severe joint pain, a headache worse than the COVID-19 vaccine. It is now 20 days since I had it and the severe joint pains still persist. I am very upset because they did not prepare me for it, now I have to take Tylenol when I had never done it before, in addition to vitamin D and calcium. Also, my platelets were high. The doctor says he does not know if the combination between the COVID-19 vaccine and this drug is the problem, and they claim it has to do with it. Anyway, I still have bone pains... The medicine came out worse than the disease!!!"

• Kam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Ugh Ugh Ugh - think twice, think three times before EVER taking this stuff. They said minor side effects... NOT!! Never been this sick in my life, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in my joints like a sledgehammer hit me, dizziness - by far worse than when I had influenza. I will NEVER EVER take this again. I hope they have a class-action lawsuit put against them. This is horrible stuff!"

• Hom...
• March 21, 2017

For Osteoporosis "I would never have a Reclast infusion again. Felt okay for a couple of weeks and thought I had missed all the problems people reported from it. After that, my joints all started hurting and hurt for about 6 weeks. I felt so bad I didn't feel like doing anything, just sitting in a recliner hurt. It started to get somewhat better and then my jaw started to hurt, it even made my teeth hurt on that side. I could hardly chew. It has slowly gotten better, but still hurts some, but has taken 6 months to finally start to feel normal. Will not do that again."

• 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."

• 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?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Worst medication I’ve ever had. I got all the severe side effects. Joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, chest and abdominal pain, chills. This medication is torture. If you want to experience all kinds of body aches and pain, take this medication. I do not recommend it, and I will never take it anymore, even if I was going to die."

• ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I had the Reclast infusion less than 1 week ago. First day seemed fine until the evening, then a headache started. Ended up in bed for 2 days due to exhaustion, body aches, fever, and a severe headache. 3rd day, the pain in my thumbs started, barely able to use my hands. 4th day, I experienced neck pain, and I'm almost afraid of what else might come up. I'm debating whether or not I'll take this again next year. I'm unable to do my normal exercise and stretching due to joint pain."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Horrible. Within 48 hours of infusion, I developed chills, fever 101.4, subsequent joint pain, and then swelling in the carpometacarpal joint. Right knee started with pain, and within 24 hours, I had a complete knee effusion with inability to bear weight. Knee was swollen twice its size."

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I’m a 57-year-old woman. I had my first infusion of Reclast Monday morning. I drank water during the procedure. I was not informed to drink water prior. I felt fine after the infusion. By the evening, I started feeling achy. Tuesday, I couldn’t go into work. I had a 101.6 fever, shaking, chills, joint pain, migraine, all-over body aches, and slept pretty much all day. I cannot take Tylenol due to another medical condition, so I took Naproxen 2x that day. Wednesday, I woke up without chills, a temperature of 99.4, and ate a little something. I still feel achy and hope to feel better tomorrow. I’m rethinking taking this medication ever again. Very painful side effects."

• McG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I had a 15-minute infusion 5 days ago. For about 16 hours, I felt fine. The following afternoon, I began to feel a headache, tiredness, and generally felt ill. Tried sleeping it off. The next afternoon, my chest felt sore, I had severe pain, like indigestion, for most of the night. Day three, my joints have swollen and I have arthritic symptoms, my wrists are extremely painful, it hurts to even press the toilet button. I still have headaches. I regret having Aclasta. I am not prepared to recommend it at this stage."

• Hen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Osteoporosis "After being reassured by 2 physicians, one an MD, another oncologist: that this option for infusion would offset any negative side effects for the benefit I would receive. Couldn't have been more untrue in my case. After infusion, bedridden for 3 days with limited movement due to extremely painful joints. Been 8 days now, and I'm just now getting back on my feet but weak. Please get multiple opinions from all before considering this medication. Never again."

• Rai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 17, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am now 65 years of age. I had been given Fosamax for three years due to early menopause. It did my BDM good. Then, after some years, I went for a bone density test and was given Aclasta for three years, 2014-2016. Then I went off for three years. The radiologist/doctor doing the BDM scans was furious at me in 2020 for taking the gap. I then had Aclasta again in 2020 and 2021. I do regular 4.5 km walks during the week and also sometimes other pleasant walking outings. I do eat all the recommended foods high in calcium and also take calcium supplements every day. Lots of money spent on all these and my bone density dropped with 7.9% in 2022. NEVER EVER was I told about the severe side effects as I have lost bundles and heads of hair since 2014. Then it goes better, then it sheds so badly. I have constant severe back pain up my whole spine and joint pain. I have night sweats. I am tired due to anemia. Palpitations, high blood pressure. Name it. I WILL NEVER TAKE TREATMENT AGAIN. Dr suggests Prolia @R68000."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Had the Reclast infusion on November 16, 2019. Seemed fine after the infusion, but the next day woke up with every joint hurting. Couldn't hardly stay awake all day. Severe chills and then a 100.5 fever. Took Tylenol and alternated with Ibuprofen. Nauseated and no desire to eat. Had to force myself to drink. Day 3 started with rosy cheeks and still have them on day 4. Looks like a butterfly lupus rash. Headache for about 24 hours. Neck is still a little sore, but luckily the hips don't hurt as bad. Also had stomach pain and seem very bloated. I don't think I will do this again. Just hope no other symptoms come along as some of these posts talk about."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Horrible experience. First infusion and after this terrible pain, I'm not sure I would do this again. Extreme joint and muscle pain. This is my third day after treatment and the pain just moves from one place to another. I doubt that I would do this again. I want my life back."

• Jan...
• December 11, 2016

For Osteoporosis "Had the infusion - 15 minutes - 4 days ago. On the day, felt fine. The next day, thought I was dying, chills, fever, nausea, whole body/bones/joints extremely painful. Woke up every hour and had to drink water. Day 3, felt a lot better and managed to go to work. Day 4, I feel fine. Not sure how effective it will be, will have to have a bone scan in a year's time!"

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I received a Reclast infusion on 1/10/2019. Within 6 hours post-infusion, I started to have elbow pain, and within 12 hours post-infusion, pretty deep bone pain in the sternum, along with flu symptoms. Fevers spiked to 102 at times for over 48 hours. All joints were painful. On days 3 and 4 post-infusion, severe pain in ankles and feet - unable to get out of bed independently, but once I was moving around, things got easier. While the side effects may sound bad (and they were at times), if this increases bone density, then I have no problem sacrificing a week or two of side effects."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I received a Reclast infusion on 1/10/2019. Within 6 hours post-infusion, I started to have elbow pain, and within 12 hours post-infusion, pretty deep bone pain in the sternum, along with flu symptoms. Fevers spiked to 102 at times for over 48 hours. All joints were painful. On days 3 and 4 post-infusion, severe pain in ankles and feet - unable to get out of bed independently, but once I was moving around, things got easier. While the side effects may sound bad (and they were at times), if this increases bone density, then I have no problem sacrificing a week or two of side effects."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2016

For Osteoporosis "I have severe arthritis anyway and have a lot of pain, but this was over the top. First day fine, but the next 4 days I was down with bad joint pain, back pain, chills. Not sure I am going to do it again. I have already had 3 breaks and cancer, so I don't know if that's an option for me."

• NGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Reclast IV last week, and I had side effects of sore throat, chills, headache, fever, severe bone, joint, and muscle pain, in bed for the past 8 days. I originally was going to cancel the IV after reading all the side effects, but the nurse talked me into it. Never again! I can’t really rate the drug as it’s only been a week."

• dch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am 65 and consider myself strong and overall healthy. I will never have this infusion again. My side effects included vomiting, diarrhea, fever, severe neck pain, joint pain including thumbs and knees, and my nose hurt. On my oncologist's suggestion, I had a COVID test, and it came back negative for COVID or the flu. Now, after 17 days, I am still experiencing flu-like symptoms, late-day fatigue, and just an overall blah feeling. I had a breast cancer lumpectomy in August and 4 weeks of radiation. I do not see any benefit of this drug and will try something else to get the calcium in my bones as the side effects are absolutely horrible."

• lis...
• December 12, 2013

For Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors "I have had three infusions (1 monthly) intravenously administered. No one advised that I should continue taking calcium supplements - good thing I asked! The first infusion led to three days of severe joint pain abating each day. The second infusion had lesser effects, and the third one lessened from the 2nd. Hydrate well before and after the injections. I've had transient chest pain, chills, side pain, episodes lasting for 1-2 minutes."