Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time

@smiles349 I expected to be sick after my first infusion. The "acute phase reaction" is common with the first dose. This can last up to two weeks (for me it was 8 days). It is unlikely to happen again.

It helps to hydrate and have a slow infusion. Hope you feel better, that this becomes clear as the "acute phase reaction" and not a long term side effect, so you can maybe do more. Let us know!

This past Friday I had my first round of Recast infusion due to severe osteoporosis. I was concerned about the side effects but assured by both my endocrinologist and the nurse who administered the IV that the most common side effects were mild flu like symptoms- some nausea, fever, body aches etc. I thought it would be no big deal and was something I could handle. I felt nothing Friday afternoon or evening, however at 3:00 am Saturday morning I had the most excruciating pain through out my body-legs, arms, shoulders, could barely walk and had a headache worse than anything I've ever experienced. The past three days I could do nothing but sit and rest and take extra strength Tylenol every 4 hours to help relieve the pain. Today I am a bit better but now I also have a horrible stiff neck and some itching. Could this also be related to Recast? Who knows! But this experience tells me I will not be doing Recast again next year. I called my endocrinologist today to discuss what happened to me but so far I have not received a call back.

Have your headache and pain level resolved? I sure hope so. I would encourage you to report the problems to FDA ( 1-800-FDA1088. They need to keep getting reports to know what is currently happening in the real world.

Have your headache and pain level resolved? I sure hope so. I would encourage you to report the problems to FDA ( 1-800-FDA1088. They need to keep getting reports to know what is currently happening in the real world.

Have your headache and pain level resolved? I sure hope so. I would encourage you to report the problems to FDA ( 1-800-FDA1088. They need to keep getting reports to know what is currently happening in the real world.

Hi, thanks for your response. It’s day 6 after having my first Reclast infusion. While the leg, knee, hip pain are better I still have horrible neck pain and headache. I’m seeing a natural path this afternoon and she wants to do bloodwork to rule out liver and kidney damage. She said my symptoms are synonymous with liver, kidney damage which unfortunately Reclast can cause.
She also said that Reclast has not been a great performer for building bone and the verdict is still out at how well it treats osteoporosis.
Do you know how I can contact FDA to report my experience? Sounds like a good idea so others might not have to go thru what I just went thru. . Thank you.

@smiles349 since your symptoms are so soon after the infusion, do you think it is the "acute phase reaction" that many of us have with the first infusion? This is very well-known. Did your doctor warn you? You may be fine.

I had a pretty high fever for 8 days and two weeks of fluishness and pain but then I was fine. Second time, no problem. Since I was warned, I was not concerned.

Reclast is pretty good at building bone density but is an anti-resorptive so it does so by reducing turnover, not by building bone, according to my doctor. It has been around a pretty long time compares to some of the other drugs.

I have kidney disease and have a blood test (eGFR) after an infusion. That's a good idea!

This is from @smiles349's original post:

"I was concerned about the side effects but assured by both my endocrinologist and the nurse who administered the IV that the most common side effects were mild flu like symptoms- some nausea, fever, body aches etc. I thought it would be no big deal and was something I could handle."

The adverse effects she experienced exceeded expectations.

@normahorn mine exceeded my expectations as well, especially with a low dose and IV hydration over one hour. I had a pretty high fever and could not function. I am not denying people's suffering, only trying to give hope that things will get better. My reaction stopped after 10 days as I remember but some go longer. I have tolerated Reclast well and the second infusion did not pose the same problems.

Thank you for sharing that
It helps to know there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I am doing better but the neck pain is still horrendous and I can’t get my endocrinologist to return my calls. Day 6 and no call back.
My husband wants to take me to urgent care tomorrow for an Xray on my neck.