Reclast infusion long term side effects

Posted by tiza @tiza, Feb 4 7:41am

Hello,
I’m new to this forum.
I had a Reclast Infusion in May 2025. After a year dealing with knee pain issues my Dexa Scan results were terrible.
My endocrinologist had already suggested I’d need it, after doing some research I refused it for about 5 years.
Since the infusion, I’ve had digestive problems and pain on my left ribs. Strangely, on the first 24 hours after the infusion this is the exact place where I had intense sharp pain. It’s mostly during the night and in the morning.
Anyone experiencing the same?
Thank you!

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penny57. I don't know if this is relevant to your situation. Reclast causes uveitis in some people because it excites inflammatory cytokines. Uveitis is often mistaken as an eye infection. Uveitis needs to be treated because it can cause permanent damage to vision. The treatment is ocular steroid. A five day oral steroid pack would relieve some of the pain you are experiencing in your joints.
You are so right about our need to take care of ourselves.
I hope you are feeling better soon.

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Profile picture for shmbrd @shmbrd

@kmketter If I may ask, what is your height & weight? I'm very small and thin. I've been prescribed Reclast but the more I learn the more hesitant I become, so I'm trying to get more information before starting. thank you.,Sarah

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@shmbrd Have you considered taking an oral form of a bisphosphonate instead of an infusion? At least then you would be getting a lower dose and could stop the drug if you have side effects.

I don't mean to provide medical advice but check into the "absolute risk" and benefit ratio of bisphosphonates. Several studies show they may improve DEXA scores but offer minimal benefits on fracture prevention. Doctors disagree but that's what I've read. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK598429/

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Profile picture for tiza @tiza

@penny57
I’m so sorry… this is so recurrent
We need to create a data base of these cases and report it to the FDA or the Drug Company.
I hope you feel better.

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@tiza I agree, patients must inform their doctors and report side effects. to the FDA. https://www.center4research.org/report-problems-medical-products-fda/

However, the FDA and Novartis, who sells Reclast, are aware of the side effects, as they are stated in the drug literature given when the meds are prescribed. In addition, Novartis has been sued regarding the side effects. https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/reclast-lawsuit/

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Profile picture for penny57 @penny57

@daisy17 I had my reclast last Friday. Its been 1 week today.My joint and bone pain has been unbearable. I went to the DR today she blamed the antibiotics I was taking. I came home and looked it up, there is no real interaction with the 2 drugs. I cried like a baby, I can't bend my fingers or close my hands. It also caused me to have an eye ulcer and that is why the antibiotics.
If they would read, it says severe bone pain and muscle pain.
I told my husband we all have to take care of ourself because they don't anymore.

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@penny57 I am so sorry to hear about those side effects, they sound horrible. Was that your first infusion?

I know Drs often minimize reports of side effects. Sometimes I wonder if that's so they don't have to deal with the problems from it, so they blame the side effects on another drug, illness or something else.

That's one reason that, so far, I've refused any of the bone meds. I can't take Forteo or Tymlos due to parathyroid issues, so that leaves Evenity and bisphosphonates as my only options. Evenity is so new, and bisphosphonates don't offer much fracture prevention. For now, I am just doing all I can to remain fracture free.

I hope your symptoms resolve soon. Keep us posted.

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Profile picture for gently @gently

penny57. I don't know if this is relevant to your situation. Reclast causes uveitis in some people because it excites inflammatory cytokines. Uveitis is often mistaken as an eye infection. Uveitis needs to be treated because it can cause permanent damage to vision. The treatment is ocular steroid. A five day oral steroid pack would relieve some of the pain you are experiencing in your joints.
You are so right about our need to take care of ourselves.
I hope you are feeling better soon.

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@gently thank you I will check this out for sure!!

Penny

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Profile picture for daisy17 @daisy17

@penny57 I am so sorry to hear about those side effects, they sound horrible. Was that your first infusion?

I know Drs often minimize reports of side effects. Sometimes I wonder if that's so they don't have to deal with the problems from it, so they blame the side effects on another drug, illness or something else.

That's one reason that, so far, I've refused any of the bone meds. I can't take Forteo or Tymlos due to parathyroid issues, so that leaves Evenity and bisphosphonates as my only options. Evenity is so new, and bisphosphonates don't offer much fracture prevention. For now, I am just doing all I can to remain fracture free.

I hope your symptoms resolve soon. Keep us posted.

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@daisy17 Hi Daisy, I did Evenity for a year, never had a problem. It did increase my bone density from-3.1 to -2.5 then to keep it where it was at she wanted me to do Reclast. I with they let you do Evenity 2 years in a row but it is not tested for that. this is the first problem I have had. I can not take oral meds because of my bad stomach.

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Profile picture for daisy17 @daisy17

@tiza I agree, patients must inform their doctors and report side effects. to the FDA. https://www.center4research.org/report-problems-medical-products-fda/

However, the FDA and Novartis, who sells Reclast, are aware of the side effects, as they are stated in the drug literature given when the meds are prescribed. In addition, Novartis has been sued regarding the side effects. https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/reclast-lawsuit/

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@daisy17 Thank you for this information. It has been a very bad week!

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Profile picture for tiza @tiza

@penny57
I’m so sorry… this is so recurrent
We need to create a data base of these cases and report it to the FDA or the Drug Company.
I hope you feel better.

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@tiza We need something better for reactions to this medication. I am going to get in touch with the FDA next week. I am a little better today but scared it might come back.

Penny

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Profile picture for penny57 @penny57

@tiza We need something better for reactions to this medication. I am going to get in touch with the FDA next week. I am a little better today but scared it might come back.

Penny

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@penny57
Let us know how it goes, please. I do hope you get better. I’m curious to hear their response.
Take care.

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Profile picture for daisy17 @daisy17

@tiza I agree, patients must inform their doctors and report side effects. to the FDA. https://www.center4research.org/report-problems-medical-products-fda/

However, the FDA and Novartis, who sells Reclast, are aware of the side effects, as they are stated in the drug literature given when the meds are prescribed. In addition, Novartis has been sued regarding the side effects. https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/reclast-lawsuit/

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@daisy17
Thank you for the links. I’ll contact the FDA as well.

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