ACTONEL
Risedronate Sodium Hemi-pentahydrate
Bone Metabolism Regulator
*The
image used above of the drug Plavix, is that of 5 mg tablets.
Patient Information for ACTONEL
Common Questions Concerning Osteoporosis and Actonel: What is osteoporosis?
How will osteoporosis affect me?
Who is at risk?
What is Actonel and how does it work?
How can Actonel help me?
How long will I need to take Actonel?
How can I tell if Actonel is working?
Can I stop taking Actonel if the pain of osteoporosis stops?
Who should not take Actonel?
What are the common side effects of Actonel?
Can I take Actonel with coffee, tea, juice, or milk?
Do I need to take Actonel if I already take calcium and/or vitamin D?
Can I take Actonel with other medications?
What if I miss a dose of Actonel?
What should I do in case of an overdose?
Is there anything else I need to tell my doctor?
What if I have other questions about Actonel?
Ingredients: Active Ingredient:
Nonmedicinal Ingredients
Common Questions Concerning Osteoporosis and Actonel: What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become thinner and thin bones break (i.e., fracture) easily. Most people think of their bones as being solid like a rock. Actually, bone is tissue, just like other parts of the body—your heart, brain, or skin, for example. Bone just happens to be a harder type of tissue.
Bone is always changing. Your body keeps your bones strong and healthy by replacing old bone with new bone. When someone has osteoporosis, the body removes more bone than it replaces. This means that bones get weaker and are more likely to break.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is quite common, especially in older women. However, young people and men can develop osteoporosis too.
 back to the top
How will osteoporosis affect me?
In the early stages of osteoporosis, people often have no pain or other symptoms. But as bones become weaker, they are more likely to break when someone falls—or even without a fall. While osteoporosis can affect any bone, the spine, wrist, and hip are the ones most likely to break. People with osteoporosis may “shrink” (i.e., lose height), develop a curved back, or have severe back pain that forces them to limit their activities.
back to the top
Who is at risk?
Many things put people at risk for osteoporosis. Some are just part of
who you are, like being a woman, going through menopause or having ovaries
removed early, aging, being Caucasian or Asian, being thin, and having
a family history of osteoporosis. Others are preventable, like not getting
enough calcium or vitamin D, having an inactive lifestyle, smoking cigarettes,
and drinking too much alcohol.
back to the top
What is Actonel and how does it work?
Your doctor has prescribed Actonel for the prevention or treatment of
postmenopausal osteoporosis. Actonel is a non-hormonal drug (i.e., not
an estrogen) that builds and strengthens bones. In many women, Actonel
actually rebuilds some of the bone that has already been lost.
back to the top
How can Actonel help me?
Actonel can help make your bones stronger and help reduce the risk of fracture.
back to the top
How long will I need to take Actonel?
Your doctor may recommend that you take Actonel for a number of years or possibly for the rest of your life. That's because changes in bone happen slowly, and Actonel needs time to work. You should take Actonel for as long as your doctor recommends.
back to the top
How can I tell if Actonel is working?
Actonel has been proven to build bone mass in most people, even though you won't be able to see or feel a difference. Your doctor may measure the thickness (i.e., density) of your bones to check your progress. This is called a bone mineral density measurement.
back to the top
Can I stop taking Actonel if the pain of osteoporosis stops?
No. If you've had one or more fractures related to your osteoporosis, even if your pain stops, you could fracture again unless you continue to take Actonel as prescribed by your doctor.
back to the top
Who should not take Actonel?
Actonel is not suitable for everyone. People who are allergic to Actonel should not take it (see Ingredients). If you have hypocalcemia (i.e., low blood calcium levels), you should not take Actonel.
Be sure to let your doctor know if you have had problems or disease with your kidneys, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Do not take Actonel if you are pregnant or nursing (i.e., breast-feeding) unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
back to the top
What are the common side effects of Actonel?
Most people have no problems with Actonel. Like all prescription drugs however, Actonel may cause side effects. In studies of Actonel 5 mg tablets in patients with osteoporosis, the most common side effects were abdominal pain, hypertension and joint problems. These side effects were usually mild and most people did not have to stop taking Actonel 5 mg tablets.
Drugs like Actonel may cause irritation or ulcers of the esophagus (i.e., the tube connecting the mouth and stomach). Remember to take Actonel as directed (see instructions under Actonel Provides the Flexibility of 3 Dosing Options).
If you experience any of the above you should tell your doctor, particularly if it becomes troublesome. If you notice any other unusual symptoms while taking Actonel, you should tell your doctor.
back to the top
Can I take Actonel with coffee, tea, juice, or milk?
No. Only take Actonel with plain water. Coffee, tea, milk, and juice may stop your body from absorbing Actonel.
back to the top
Do I need to take Actonel if I already take calcium and/or vitamin D?
Yes, you do. Calcium and vitamin D are important for strong bones. Your doctor may ask you to take calcium and vitamin D in addition to Actonel. If you do, remember to take these at a different time of the day, as with food (see instructions under Actonel Provides the Flexibility of 3 Dosing Options).
back to the top
Can I take Actonel with other medications?
If taken with some other medicines, the effects of Actonel or the effects of other medicines may be changed. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medications with Actonel.
Vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as antacids, may contain substances (e.g., calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and iron) which can stop your body from absorbing Actonel. These should be taken at a different time of day, as with food (see instructions under Actonel Provides the Flexibility of 3 Dosing Options).
back to the top
What if I miss a dose of Actonel?
If you forget to take Actonel, do not double your next dose. Do not take 2 tablets on the same day. Simply take Actonel as you normally would for your next dose.
back to the top
What should I do in case of an overdose?
If you take too many tablets on any given day, drink a full glass of milk and contact your doctor immediately. Do not induce vomiting.
back to the top
Is there anything else I need to tell my doctor?
Yes. Tell your doctor if you have any problems taking Actonel. Also be sure to let your doctor know if you feel pain from your osteoporosis.
Actonel is not a pain reliever. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend another medicine specifically for pain relief.
back to the top
What if I have other questions about Actonel?
If you have questions about Actonel, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
back to the top
Ingredients: Active Ingredient:
Each yellow, oval-shaped tablet of Actonel contains the equivalent of 5 mg risedronate sodium as the hemi-pentahydrate.
back to the top
Nonmedicinal Ingredients:
crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide and ferric oxide yellow.
back to the top
|
