Herbal Spotlight
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 bisphosphonates |
| Actonel, Aredia, Boniva, Didronel, Fosamax, Reclast, Skelid, Zometa |
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NEW WARNING
The FDA issued an alert to healthcare providers about the possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, or muscle pain in patients taking bisphosphonates (including Actonel, Aredia, Boniva, Didronel, Fosamax, Reclast, Skelid, Zometa). Pain occurring within days, months, or years of starting the bisphosphonate have been reported. This is in contrast to the reported acute phase response (fever, chills, bone pain, myalgia, and arthralgia), which occurs after initial administration of I.V. bisphosphonate, and sometimes with initial use of the weekly or monthly preparations. These symptoms usually resolve within days of discontinuing the drug. Providers are advised to be aware of this possibility, teach patients to report the occurrence of such pain, and to weigh the benefits and risks of bisphosphonate therapy in patients who experience this reaction.
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