What is this medication for?
Risedronate is used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis for women who are past menopause. It is also used to treat osteoporosis for men, to prevent and treat osteoporosis for men and women taking high doses of corticosteroids, and to treat men and women with a condition called Paget's disease.
Risedronate increases the thickness of bone (bone mineral density) by slowing down the cells that usually break down bone (osteoclasts). This allows the cells that build bone (osteoblasts) to work more efficiently. By making bones stronger, risedronate can help to reduce the risk of broken bones.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Actonel® is available as:
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended dose for preventing and treating osteoporosis in women who are past menopause is 5 mg once daily or 35 mg once weekly.
The recommended dose for treating osteoporosis for men is 35 mg once weekly.
The recommended dose for treating and preventing osteoporosis in men and women taking high doses of corticosteroids is 5 mg once daily.
For people with Paget's disease, the recommended dose is 30 mg once daily for at least 2 months.
The tablet should be taken at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than plain water, or at least 2 hours apart from any food or drink other than plain water (i.e., nothing to eat or drink 2 hours before and two hours after taking the tablet) and not less than 30 minutes before bedtime. This medication should be taken while sitting in an upright position and swallowed whole (not chewed) with at least a half glass of water (i.e., at least 120 mL). Do not lie down within 30 minutes of taking the medication to prevent any irritation to your esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth and stomach).
If you are taking calcium supplements or aluminum-, iron-, or magnesium-containing medications (e.g., antacids and mineral supplements), you should take them at a different time of day, because when taken together with risedronate they will decrease the amount of risedronate that is delivered from your stomach into your body.
If you are taking this medication on a once-daily schedule and then miss a dose, do not take it later in the day. Resume your usual schedule the next morning. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. If you are taking this medication on a once-weekly basis and you forget to take it on the regularly scheduled day, take one tablet on the day you first remember. Then, return to taking one tablet once a week on your regularly scheduled day. Do not take 2 tablets on the same day.
It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature (68°F to 77°F) away from heat. Do not store it in the bathroom, as moisture may cause the medication to break down. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Risedronate should not be taken by anyone who:
- is allergic to risedronate or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- cannot stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
- has hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood)
- has reduced kidney function (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL per minute)
