Actonel
Risedronate
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action
Actonel belongs to bisphosphonate and works by reducing or slowing bone loss.
Therapeutic Uses of Actonel
Actonel is used in treatment of osteoporosis and prevention of osteoporosis in certain patients. It can also be used in some other conditions as doctor thinks it fit.
Direction of use of Actonel
Take Actonel as directed by your health care provider.
- Select 2 consecutive days in a month and take 1 tablet of Actonel in the morning of first day and the second Actonel in the second day morning.
- Actonel should be swallowed with water as a whole. Do not chew, break, crush or suck Actonel.
- Actonel is taken with a glass (200-250 ml) of lukewarm water. Do not consume Actonel with coffee, tea, milk, or juice and do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Actonel. You can lie down after you eat your first food of the day.
- Do not take more than 2 tablets of Actonel per month unless told by your health care provider.
- Keep taking Actonel after getting good result also and do not miss any dose. Consult your doctor if you have any doubt.
Dose of Actonel, if Missed
If you miss a dose of Actonel take it as soon as you remember. Do not take 2 doses of Actonel if you missed the dose for long time.
How to Store Actonel
Ideally Actonel should be stored at 77 degree Fahrenheit (25 degree C). Store it away from heat, moisture and sunlight. Actonel should be kept out of reach of children.
More Information About Actonel
Actonel should not be shared with anyone and should be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Actonel
Do not take Actonel if you have any of the problems:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Actonel.
- Actonel should not be used during pregnancy and breast feeding. If you become pregnant or planning to have child than consult your doctor. Discuss benefit and risks of using Actonel during pregnancy. It is not clear if Actonel passes to breast milk but it should not be used during breast feeding.
- If you are suffering from low levels of calcium in blood and have severe kidney insufficiency.
- If you can not stand or sit upright for minimum of 30 minutes. Contact your doctor if you have any of the above mentioned conditions. Important notes about Actonel:
- If you are addicted to smoking or other tobacco products, if you drink alcohol consult your doctor before taking Actonel.
- Consult your doctor or health care provider if you are doing weight bearing exercise to help weak bones.
- The diet and exercise program given by your doctor should be followed. You may require taking vitamin D or calcium supplementation while taking Actonel, consulting your doctor for that.
- Actonel sometimes causes dizziness and it is much more if you take alcohol or some medicine while taking Actonel. You should not drive or do other risky jobs that require constant attention, until you know how you react to Actonel.
- Dental care is important during taking of Actonel. For that you should visit your dentist regularly and floss and brush your teeth regularly to keep teeth clean and healthy.
- Consult your doctor/dentist before undergoing surgical procedure, dental surgery or major investigation during course of Actonel.
- Ideally Actonel should not be used in children, but if Actonel is to be used in children than it should be used very cautiously. Effectiveness and safety of Actonel is not established in children.
- Some lab tests like blood calcium level, bone density level etc. should be performed while taking Actonel. The above tests can be used to monitor effectiveness and side effects of Actonel.
- Actonel can interfere with some lab tests and you should inform your doctor/health care provider about Actonel if you are to do some lab tests.
Possible Adverse Effects
If you are getting some of common side effects like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bloating of stomach, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, back ache, joint pain etc. consult your doctor.
Consult your doctor if you get any of the following side effects:
- Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, tightness in chest, breathlessness, swelling of mouth, lips, tongue, face), black and bloody stool, blood in sputum, blood in vomit, pain in jaw, stomach pain, sore throat, joint pain, muscle pain, pain during micturition, dysphagia (pain during swallowing), persistent sore throat, heart burn, sensitivity to light (photophobia), vision change, pain in the eyes or redness in the eyes.
