Before taking Actonel (risedronate), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, etidronate, pamidronate); or if you have any other allergies.
Actonel (risedronate) should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have the following conditions: low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia), inability to sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes, severe kidney disease.
Before using Actonel (risedronate), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: esophagus problems (e.g., esophageal stricture), difficult or painful swallowing, kidney problems, stomach/intestinal disorders (e.g., ulcers).
Infrequently, serious jawbone problems (osteonecrosis) have occurred in people taking similar medications. Most people were also using other medications or had conditions that actually caused the jawbone problem. If you have cancer, anemia, blood clotting disorders, infections in the mouth or other diseases of the mouth, or poor dental hygiene, see your dentist for a full examination/treatment before you start Actonel (risedronate). Make sure your dentist knows your entire medical history, including any cancer radiation treatments. Also tell your dentist of all the medications you are using, especially corticosteroids such as prednisone, cancer chemotherapy, and Actonel (risedronate). Consult your dentist for more details.
Actonel (risedronate) should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known whether Actonel (risedronate) passes into breast milk. Because Actonel (risedronate) could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant, breast-feeding while using Actonel (risedronate) is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store the US product at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C)
Store the Canadian product at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C).
Store the medication away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Actonel (risedronate) and each time you get a refill. Follow the instructions very closely to maximize the amount of drug absorbed and reduce the risk of injury to your esophagus. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take Actonel (risedronate) by mouth, after getting up for the day and before taking your first food, beverage or other medication. Do not take it at bedtime or while you are still in bed.
Take Actonel (risedronate) with a full glass (6-8 ounces or 180-240 milliliters) of plain water. Do not take it with any other beverage. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew or suck on it. Then stay fully upright (sitting, standing or walking) for at least 30 minutes, and do not lie down until after your first food of the day. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking Actonel (risedronate) before you eat or drink anything other than plain water.
Calcium or iron supplements, vitamins with minerals, antacids containing calcium/magnesium/aluminum, dairy products (e.g., milk, yogurt), and calcium-enriched juice may interfere with absorption of Actonel (risedronate). Medications such as quinapril, certain forms of didanosine (chewable/dispersible buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution), sucralfate, and bismuth subsalicylate may also interfere with absorption. Do not take these products for at least 30 minutes after taking Actonel (risedronate).
Use Actonel (risedronate) regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. For the treatment of Paget's disease, remember to take it at the same time each morning, usually for 2 months.
Actonel (risedronate) may also be prescribed once weekly for osteoporosis. Check your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are uncertain about your dosing schedule.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Upset stomach or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Actonel (risedronate) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Actonel (risedronate) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: increase in bone/joint/muscle pain, jaw pain, eye/vision problems.
Actonel (risedronate) may infrequently cause irritation and ulcers in your stomach or esophagus. Seek immediate attention if any of these serious side effects occur: new/severe/worsening heartburn, chest pain, difficult or painful swallowing, severe stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
A very serious allergic reaction to Actonel (risedronate) is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Actonel side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you take Actonel (risedronate) once a day and miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take it later in the day. Resume your usual dosing schedule the following day. Do not double the dose to catch up.
If you take Actonel (risedronate) once a week and miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take it later in the day. Take it the next morning after you remember. Continue taking your weekly dose on your originally scheduled day of the week. Do not take 2 doses on the same day. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also the How to Use section.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using Actonel (risedronate), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone).
Check the labels on all your medicines because they may contain aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) that could cause stomach irritation/ulcers. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Actonel (risedronate) may affect the results of certain lab tests (bone-imaging agents). Be sure to tell your doctor or laboratory personnel that you are taking Actonel (risedronate).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.