1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
Mentor

Are you taking Reclast for osteoporosis?

Posted by Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy, Jul 21, 2020

Two years ago I was diagnosed with pretty bad osteoporosis because of the prednisone I was on for my autoimmune disease. I started taking Fosamax (a bisphosphonate) and had no problems. Today, the endocrinologist suggested that I switch to Reclast for 3 yearly infusions. Has anyone else taken this drug? What side effects have you had?
Thanks

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kilh | @kilh | Jul 28, 2021

I had two Reclast infusions with no effects at all. It was great but because I was having a dental implant you have to wait before the next infusion and time got away from us and it was too late to start again. So missed three infusions. It was a tough choice to make but one implant led to another. So years later we started Tymlos. It is pretty new but suppose to be great but not the side effects. This is the first time I have ever had a reaction to anything. I Hope Prolia is better.

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geedle12 | @geedle12 | Apr 13, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "Thanks, @lilypaws Of course I remember that you went through that back fusion. Although I have..." + (show)
@contentandwell

Thanks, @lilypaws Of course I remember that you went through that back fusion. Although I have not recently been very active on Connect I did follow that.

Thanks for the info on Rosuvastatin Calcium 10 mg, I will have to ask my endocrinologist about that. For some reason my PCP left the prescribing of a cholesterol medication up to him.

My litany of problems sounds worse than they are actually. Pre-transplant I was very good up until the end when things went downhill. My transplant recovery was amazing, even the transplant team was surprised at how quickly I was doing well. As I mentioned in a different message I think, my old PCP felt all I did pre-transplant was why I did so well after transplant. Maybe, but I think he gives me too much credit. I always think of myself as being very healthy and then I remember all the things that wrong with me! Right now I am doing pretty well other than sporadic depression when I think of how much longer we will be stuck isolating and wondering when if ever I will see my son again. My daughter is planning to self-isolate going into August so we can spend time together. She and her husband can drive here, no need to be on an airplane.

I was still having knee and hip problems from walking longish distances but I am using Voltaren (a gel) two times a day. The recommended is three times a day but I never get a third time in. Even so, I am finding this helped.
JK

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Hi Becky, I also have an autoimmune disease, autoimmune hepatitis and am on 3 mg Budesonide. I was just diagnosed with osteoporosis. I see the endo in May. I am worried about being on Budesonide. What treatment are you on for osteo and have you had side effects, good effect, etc. Carol

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hlp123 | @hlp123 | Apr 16, 2022
In reply to @joanme "I finally mad an appointment did my first Reclast infusion July 13 after a long discussion..." + (show)
@joanme

I finally mad an appointment did my first Reclast infusion July 13 after a long discussion with my endocrinologist. We looked at the pros and cons of all the options as I can’t take oral Alendronate due to GI side effects. She was very honest, made the same suggestions I’ve read here about hydration, etc. she said about 70-75% of her patients do experience flu like symptoms for up to two weeks (not usually that long) that are generally well controlled. She acknowledged longer term more severe pain discussed here as a rare side effect and has not seen it in her practice. I’m hoping not to be the first. The benefits far outweigh the risk atm, so biting the bullet and made the appointment.

Any and all suggestions both to prepare and to minimize side effects would be more than welcome and appreciated!

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I received my first infusion of Reclast on March 23, 2022. I asked my endocrinologist to please put in an order to the location where, I was to receive the infusion to have a longer time than the recommended 15 minutes. The endocrinologist placed an order with them for the infusion to last for one hour. I also contacted my allergist and he recommended that I take Claritan, Pepcid and Zyrtec the day before, the day of, and the day after my infusion along with taking 64 ounces of water the day before, the day of and the day after. It is April 16th and so far I have not experienced any side effects. I am so very grateful, because I had severe bone, muscle and joint pain after my second injection of Prolia.
I am requesting anyone to give me any information they have about taking the booster shot for COVID. I got the first booster shot the recommended six weeks after my second injection of Prolia and had severe pain in my joints, muscles and bones. My doctor said the booster exaccerbated the side effects I was already experiencing with the Prolia. I had two months of sever pain after that booster and have switched to Reclast. I am fearful of the side effects I may have if I get the booster. Does anyone have any experience getting the booster who is now on Reclast. I had no problem with the initial COVID vaccination however I was not on Prolia when I got vaccinated. I asked all of my doctors if it was ok to get the booster while on Prolia and they all said yes. My experience was severe. I am anxious to get the booster but fearful that I will have the same experience I had with Prolia. The vaccinations are wonderful and I am so grateful we have the boosters available. Let me know if you are on Reclast and have gotten the booster.
Thank you so much

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1 reply
jmanj | @jmanj | Apr 17, 2022
In reply to @hlp123 "I received my first infusion of Reclast on March 23, 2022. I asked my endocrinologist to..." + (show)
@hlp123

I received my first infusion of Reclast on March 23, 2022. I asked my endocrinologist to please put in an order to the location where, I was to receive the infusion to have a longer time than the recommended 15 minutes. The endocrinologist placed an order with them for the infusion to last for one hour. I also contacted my allergist and he recommended that I take Claritan, Pepcid and Zyrtec the day before, the day of, and the day after my infusion along with taking 64 ounces of water the day before, the day of and the day after. It is April 16th and so far I have not experienced any side effects. I am so very grateful, because I had severe bone, muscle and joint pain after my second injection of Prolia.
I am requesting anyone to give me any information they have about taking the booster shot for COVID. I got the first booster shot the recommended six weeks after my second injection of Prolia and had severe pain in my joints, muscles and bones. My doctor said the booster exaccerbated the side effects I was already experiencing with the Prolia. I had two months of sever pain after that booster and have switched to Reclast. I am fearful of the side effects I may have if I get the booster. Does anyone have any experience getting the booster who is now on Reclast. I had no problem with the initial COVID vaccination however I was not on Prolia when I got vaccinated. I asked all of my doctors if it was ok to get the booster while on Prolia and they all said yes. My experience was severe. I am anxious to get the booster but fearful that I will have the same experience I had with Prolia. The vaccinations are wonderful and I am so grateful we have the boosters available. Let me know if you are on Reclast and have gotten the booster.
Thank you so much

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I had Reclast June 2021. Then my first COVID Booster in October 2021 and my second COVID Booster April 2022. Other than the expected soreness at the injection site and feeling a little tired the next day, I had no real reaction.

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1 reply
oetso1 | @oetso1 | Apr 17, 2022

I had my first yearly infusion last month. So far no issues. Can I ask why the switch ?

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1 reply
hlp123 | @hlp123 | Apr 18, 2022
In reply to @oetso1 "I had my first yearly infusion last month. So far no issues. Can I ask why..." + (show)
@oetso1

I had my first yearly infusion last month. So far no issues. Can I ask why the switch ?

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I switched after my second injection of Prolia because I had severe joint, muscle and bone pain. These symptoms increased dramatically after my first booster. I am wondering if anyone has had bad results after receiving a booster while on reclast. thank you !

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callalloo | @callalloo | Apr 22, 2022
In reply to @rashida "@lioness it seems there’s no difference between Prolia and Reclast, except Reclast is taken once a..." + (show)
@rashida

@lioness it seems there’s no difference between Prolia and Reclast, except Reclast is taken once a year and Prolia is taken twice a year. Are they both from the same company?

https://www.drugs.com/tips/reclast-patient-tips

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Reclast is zolodronic acid, a bisphosphonate. Prolia is a monoclonal antibody. (Fosamax is a bisphosphonate.) If I read it correctly, the bisphosphonates were among the first drugs approved to treat osteoporosis but seem to falling out of favor. In part because of the rare side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw, aka BRONJ aka bisphosphonate-related-osteonecrosis-of-the-jaw. (A few cases of which Prolia has since been associated with too now.)

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Apr 23, 2022
In reply to @callalloo "Reclast is zolodronic acid, a bisphosphonate. Prolia is a monoclonal antibody. (Fosamax is a bisphosphonate.) If..." + (show)
@callalloo

Reclast is zolodronic acid, a bisphosphonate. Prolia is a monoclonal antibody. (Fosamax is a bisphosphonate.) If I read it correctly, the bisphosphonates were among the first drugs approved to treat osteoporosis but seem to falling out of favor. In part because of the rare side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw, aka BRONJ aka bisphosphonate-related-osteonecrosis-of-the-jaw. (A few cases of which Prolia has since been associated with too now.)

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I don't think biphosphonates are falling out of favor. It seems pretty well-known that Prolia also can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, since it, like biphosphonates, affects resorption/turnover. My endo won't prescribe Prolia (probably due to sudden decrease in density after stopping) but still prescribes biphosphonates, including Reclast for those with GERD.

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hlp123 | @hlp123 | Apr 24, 2022

I had my first infusion of Reclast on March 23, 2022 I am transitioning off of Prolia. I had severe side effects with Prolia. So far I have been side effect Free with the Reclast. I pray that this continues. Good Luck !!!

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hlp123 | @hlp123 | Apr 24, 2022
In reply to @jmanj "I had Reclast June 2021. Then my first COVID Booster in October 2021 and my second..." + (show)
@jmanj

I had Reclast June 2021. Then my first COVID Booster in October 2021 and my second COVID Booster April 2022. Other than the expected soreness at the injection site and feeling a little tired the next day, I had no real reaction.

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Thank you for your response !
I want to be able to get the second booster while on Reclast.
It is encouraging to know, even though we all react differently, that you had a positive experience.
Thank you

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