1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Reclast infusion side effects?

Posted by ladybugnc @ladybugnc, May 26 2:38pm

I had the Reclast infusion 5 months ago in my left arm. I have started having pain in that arm now, with loss of strength. Has this happened to anyone else?

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jacklin | @jacklin | 5 days ago
In reply to @dannyandebbie "Sorry to hear this! I too have had issues since having my Reclast infusion! And still..." + (show)
@dannyandebbie

Sorry to hear this! I too have had issues since having my Reclast infusion! And still experiencing it 11 months later!
There is a lot of information online on Reclast side effects- drugs.com, the FDA and Pfizer's own drug insert: https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?format=PDF&id=4676
In addition to the brief info below, Pfizer has a thorough chart with every side effect and frequency reported. Not sure why doctors don't look at this.

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Had my 5th Reclast infusion 8 months ago, fractured 2 ribs a month ago.
Reclast is definitely not working for me

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ladybugnc | @ladybugnc | 5 days ago

I am sorry that all of us have gone through these bad effects. I joined this blog for the very reason that I wanted to know what things were happening to others and how they were adapting. And I believe that is why all of us are here. It would be nice to hear more cases where the person feels that Reclast was the best decision for them. I am just so on the fence about having my 2nd infusion in December.

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dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | 5 days ago
In reply to @gently "miriammoore, it is so helpful that you are posting and reporting. I'm sorry you are caught..." + (show)
@gently

miriammoore, it is so helpful that you are posting and reporting. I'm sorry you are caught in this nightmare. There are scattered single patient reports like this one https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10404464/ There is another one where the woman was hospitalized and given IV steroids. She recovered. The half life of the drug is something like 140 hours, but it attaches to the bone and releases slowly over the year. I'm hoping but also thinking that the damage to your cervical spine isn't permanent. IV steroids are considered stronger than oral tapers. The trouble is the impact of steroids on bones. And then it is so hard to continue to protect bones when it aches too much to even move them.
I would also agree that at 100lbs the dose is probably too high. The actually know that 4mg is as effective as 5mg in the osteoporosis setting, yet the drug is provided in 5mg vials. Since it is primarily your neck, someone might be willing to administer local steroid injections. Pain is exhausting. I do think there is an end to this horrible reaction. The sooner the better. I'm glad you are seeing the neurologist

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Reclast

If you feel that you are suffering from these medications long term to report that to FDA.
For on-line reporting to FDA: https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program
For phone reporting: 1-800-FDA-1088.

There is a lot of information online on Reclast side effects- drugs.com, the FDA and Pfizer's own drug insert: https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?format=PDF&id=4676
In addition to the brief info below, Pfizer has a thorough chart with every side effect and frequency reported. Not sure why doctors don't look at this.

REPLY
miriammoore | @miriammoore | 1 day ago
In reply to @gently "miriammoore, it is so helpful that you are posting and reporting. I'm sorry you are caught..." + (show)
@gently

miriammoore, it is so helpful that you are posting and reporting. I'm sorry you are caught in this nightmare. There are scattered single patient reports like this one https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10404464/ There is another one where the woman was hospitalized and given IV steroids. She recovered. The half life of the drug is something like 140 hours, but it attaches to the bone and releases slowly over the year. I'm hoping but also thinking that the damage to your cervical spine isn't permanent. IV steroids are considered stronger than oral tapers. The trouble is the impact of steroids on bones. And then it is so hard to continue to protect bones when it aches too much to even move them.
I would also agree that at 100lbs the dose is probably too high. The actually know that 4mg is as effective as 5mg in the osteoporosis setting, yet the drug is provided in 5mg vials. Since it is primarily your neck, someone might be willing to administer local steroid injections. Pain is exhausting. I do think there is an end to this horrible reaction. The sooner the better. I'm glad you are seeing the neurologist

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. I sincerely appreciate it. I wanted to provide you with an update: on Monday, I had to go to the ER due to severe vertigo, along with the chronic intense pain and stiffness in the back of my head and neck that has not let up. A CT scan revealed foraminal stenosis and herniated discs at C4 and C5. I had no idea these issues existed, as I was completely asymptomatic before receiving the Reclast IV. I regularly do strength training 3–4 times a week and had never experienced any symptoms.

The medical team believes that the Reclast triggered such a strong inflammatory response in my body, that in turn aggravated and brought this underlying condition to the surface. Yesterday, a spine specialist administered an epidural injection, and for the first time in seven weeks, I'm finally experiencing some relief. I see a light at the end of the tunnel now. Thanks again.

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