STRONTIUM SIDE EFFECTS

Strontium side effects are rare but people may experience skin irritation and immobilized people as well as people with venous thromboembolism (VTE) should not take the mineral.

If you would like to add or view comments about strontium citrate, please visit our Strontium Forum.

SKIN RASHES

Servier (the French company that has the patent for Strontium Ranelate) advises on its website that if patients develop a rash they should stop the drug immediately. Here is an excerpt:

DRESS (Drug Rash Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms), also known as drug hypersensitivity syndrome, is a rare but serious and potentially life threatening type of allergic reaction to some medicines (the associated mortality rate is estimated to be nearly 10%).

Allopurinol, sulphonamides, and anticonvulsants are amongst other agents known to be associated with DRESS. The incidence of DRESS with the anticonvulsants phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital is estimated to be 1 reaction per 5,000 to 10,000 exposures.

DRESS starts with a skin rash, accompanied by a fever, swollen glands, increased numbers of white cells in the blood and effects on the liver, kidneys and lungs. It can result in kidney or liver failure. Stopping treatment together with corticosteroid therapy (medicines that reduce the activity of the immune system) usually results in the symptoms improving, but recovery can be slow and there is a risk of symptoms returning during the recovery period.

VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM (VTE)

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has ruled that strontium ranelate (Protelos and Osseor) should not be prescribed to immobilized patients or patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The EMA found that data revealed incidents of VTE were higher in patients with a history of that condition, as well as in patients who are temporarily or permanently immobilized. Elderly patients were also found to be at higher risk for VTE after using strontium ranelate compared with a placebo.

Labels for strontium ranelate have been updated to include warnings of both these side effects.

If you are experiencing strontium side effects, other mineral and vitamins can help strengthen your bones.


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