How to Use

Take this medication on an empty stomach.

Take Actonel with a full glass of water. Do not take with any other drinks.

Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after taking this medicine(for immediate release formulations, delayed release formulations are taken after breakfast).

Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medicine.

Do not crush or chew the tablet.

If you miss a dose, take the dose on the morning of the following day(the day after the missed dose), then resume your usual schedule.  Do not take 2 doses in one day. Do not take the dose as soon as you realized that you forgot to take it.

Important Information

Be sure that your healthcare provider is aware if you have any of the following conditions before taking this medication

Low calcium, conditions of the stomach, esophagus, or intestines, allergies, problems standing or sitting, pregnancy or breastfeeding, dental diseases or kidney disease.

 
Take calcium, iron, and magnesium containing supplements at a separate time of the day.

Notify your doctor if you experience pain that persists, or pain of the leg or groin area.

It may take several weeks or months before you begin to benefit from this medication.

Be sure to visit your doctor regularly while on this medication.

Side effects that you should immediately report to your healthcare provider

Persisting pain, allergic reaction(hives, itching, swelling of the face or mouth), vision changes, jaw pain, heartburn, heartbeat changes, changes in urination such as pain upon urination or changes in the color or amount of urine, fever or chills, pain in the lower back or abdomen,  black stools, pain when swallowing, any red, blistering or peeling skin.

Other Side Effects

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness.

Adult Doses

Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

5 mg immediate release tablet once daily by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast.

or

35 mg immediate release tablet taken once weekly by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast.

or

35 mg delayed release tablet taken once weekly by mouth after breakfast.

or

150 mg immediate release tablet taken once per month by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast.

Adult Men With Osteoporosis

35 mg immediate release tablet taken once weekly by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast.

Adults(men and women) Taking Corticosteroids

5 mg immediate release tablet taken once daily by mouth before breakfast.

Osteoporosis Prophylaxis

5 mg immediate release tablet once daily by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast.

or

35 mg immediate release tablet taken once weekly by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast (for postmenopausal women).

or

75 mg immediate release tablet taken once weekly by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast for 2 days in a row per month(for postmenopausal women).

or

150 mg immediate release tablet taken once per month by mouth 30 minutes before breakfast (for postmenopausal women).

Osteolytic Bone Metastases or Paget’s Disease

30mg immediate release tablet by mouth once daily.

Uses

Actonel is a medication commonly used for bone and calcium conditions. This medication helps your body to use calcium and to create new bone tissue. This is a safe and well tolerated medication when used as prescribed. It is used for conditions such as osteoporosis, paget’s disease, thyroid and calcium conditions, osteoporosis prevention, and corticosteroid use.

Resources

1. Actonel (risedronate) tablets [package insert]. Rockaway, NJ: Warner Chilcott, LLC; 2015.

2. Actonel (R) oral tablets, risedronate sodium oral tablets[package insert]. Rockaway, NJ: Warner Chilcott, LLC; 2011.