Actonel Oral - RISEDRONATE 75 MG

Uses Risedronate is used to prevent and treat certain types of bone loss (osteoporosis). Osteoporosis causes bones to become thinner and break (fracture) more easily. Your chance of developing osteoporosis increases as you age, after menopause, or if you take corticosteroid medications (e.g., prednisone) for a long time. This medication works by slowing bone loss to help maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures. Risedronate belongs to a class of medications called bisphosphonates.

How to use Actonel Oral Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using risedronate and each time you get a refill. Follow the instructions very closely to make sure you absorb as much of the drug as possible and reduce the risk of injury to your esophagus. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily for 2 days in a row each month or as directed by your doctor. Take it 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 this medication with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces or 180 to 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 this medication 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 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 risedronate. Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. It may help to mark your calendar with a reminder every month.

Before taking 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. This medication 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 levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia), inability to sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes, severe kidney disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: difficult or painful swallowing, esophagus problems (e.g., heartburn, esophageal stricture), stomach/intestinal disorders (e.g., ulcers), kidney problems. 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, other diseases of the mouth, or poor dental hygiene, see your dentist for a full examination/treatment before you start 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 risedronate. Consult your dentist for more details. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Because this medication could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes that may help promote healthy bones include engaging in weight-bearing exercise, limiting alcohol, stopping smoking, and eating well-balanced meals containing adequate calcium and vitamin D. Consult your doctor to see if you need to take calcium/vitamin D supplements, and discuss lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laboratory and/or medical tests (x-rays, height, blood mineral levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: Take this medication when you first get up for the day, including any missed doses (see also How to Use section). If you miss one dose and next month's scheduled doses are more than 7 days away, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you miss both doses and next month's scheduled doses are more than 7 days away, take the first dose as soon as you remember and the second dose the next day. Afterward, resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take more than 2 doses within 7 days. If you miss one or both doses and next month's scheduled doses are less than 7 days away, skip the missed dose(s) and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) 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.

Upset stomach or headache may occur. If either of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication 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. This medication 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 this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: 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.

See also the How to Use section.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Before using this medication, 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 using these products safely. If your doctor has prescribed low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue to take the aspirin. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This medication may interfere with bone-imaging agents. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this medication.
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.