Chances are you’ve probably already heard about Reclast, the IV osteoporosis treatment you only have to take once a year to help protect from fracture for 12 months.
Here are some basic facts:
* Reclast is a prescription that treats postmenopausal osteoporosis.
* One intravenous (IV) dose a year helps protect bones from fracture when taken with daily calcium and Vitamin D.
* No other osteoporosis treatment is proved to help protect from fracture in more places: hip, spine, even other bones.
* IV given by a doctor or nurse for no less than 15 minutes once a year.
Here are some answers to questions you may have:
1. How does one dose of Reclast work for a full year?
Reclast is proven to bind to your bones to help provide year-long protection from fractures. Because it is an IV, Reclast travels through your bloodstream, with the majority going to your bones and staying where it is needed for a full year. The rest of the drug leaves your body within days of treatment.
2. What are the side effects of Reclast?
The most common side effects include flu-like symptoms, fever, muscle or joint pain and headache and usually only happen after the first treatment. Most occur in the days immediately following treatment and can be relieved by a mild pain reliever such as acetaminophen. Patients have also found that after the second treatment, these side effects were much less common.
3. How long has Reclast been studied?
Reclast has been proven in a clinical trial with over 7,700 patients over three years. Reclast has been on the market since 2007, and already over 150,000 women have been infused.
4. Will my insurance cover Reclast?
Insurance coverage varies on an individual basis, so you should contact your health insurance company to confirm the coverage you have for Reclast. Most health plans, including Medicare, cover Reclast The average cost for a Reclast treatment is under $35 if you’ve already paid your yearly deductible. If you have secondary insurance coverage, the cost of your annual treatment can be lowered even further.
5. Are there restrictions to when I can eat before or after my treatment?
With Reclast, you won’t have to wait to eat or remain upright for a half-hour or more.
Now that we’ve answered your questions, there’s no reason to wait.
Talk to your doctor today!