Should i take actonel

Actonel may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means that in some cases, you may need to take it with other medications. Actonel contains the active drug risedronate , which is also available as a generic medication.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Actonel can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Actonel. For more information on the possible side effects of Actonel, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Actonel.

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Actonel.

Side effects of Actonel can occur with any dosing schedule of the drug. However, taking higher doses of Actonel may increase your risk of side effects, depending on how you take Actonel. Researchers compared once-daily Actonel treatment with once-monthly Actonel treatment.

The researchers found that women who took Actonel mg once a month had higher rates of certain side effects compared with women who took Actonel 5 mg once a day. These side effects included diarrhea, for example. In addition, women who took Actonel mg once a month were more likely to stop taking the drug due to diarrhea or belly pain compared with women who took Actonel 5 mg daily.

If you have questions about side effects of Actonel related to your specific dosage, talk with your doctor. Actonel may cause pain in your bones , muscles , and joints. In clinical studies of people with osteoporosis , the following side effects were seen:. Specifically, some people taking Actonel may develop osteonecrosis in their jaw. With osteonecrosis, cells in your bone tissue die. Some studies have shown that osteonecrosis in the jaw happens in just under 1 person for every , people who take Actonel for 1 year.

If you have pain or other problems with your jaw bone during Actonel treatment, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to reduce your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend that you stop taking Actonel and try a different medication for your condition.

Some factors can affect your risk of having jaw bone problems while taking Actonel. These include:. In addition, your risk of having jaw bone problems may increase the longer you take a bisphosphonate medication, such as Actonel. Some people taking Actonel may have fractures in their femur thigh bone. Even though Actonel is used to help decrease bone loss and strengthen bones, some people taking the drug have had bone fractures.

For example, in clinical studies , femur fractures occurred in:. Some femur fractures happen without any trauma to the bone. They can affect one or both legs. Many people report a dull, aching pain in their thigh that starts weeks or months before the fracture actually happens.

They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of using this drug. And if you begin to have pain in your thigh or groin, talk with your doctor. Some people may have eye problems while taking Actonel. For example, in clinical studies of women with osteoporosis who had gone through menopause, cataracts cloudiness in the lens of the eye developed in:.

Symptoms of cataracts may include blurry or cloudy vision. With this condition, it may also be more difficult to see well in dim light. Symptoms of eye inflammation can include swelling and redness in your eye area. If you have any changes in vision or other eye problems while taking Actonel, talk with your doctor. They may recommend ways to help reduce your symptoms. If you have diarrhea during Actonel treatment, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help relieve this side effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. The typical dosage of Actonel to treat osteoporosis in men is one mg tablet taken once weekly. The use of corticosteroids may lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. For this condition, treatment courses last for 2 months.

Your doctor or their medical staff can help advise when you should take your next dose of the drug. A medication timer may be useful, too. For most conditions, Actonel is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. People with this condition typically take Actonel for just 2 months.

You may wonder how Actonel compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Actonel and Fosamax are alike and different. Actonel contains the active drug risedronate , while Fosamax contains the active drug alendronate.

These medications both belong to a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. Fosamax comes as tablets that are taken by mouth.

Actonel and Fosamax both contain drugs that are bisphosphonates. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects. These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Actonel, with Fosamax, or with both drugs when taken individually. These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Actonel, with Fosamax, or with both drugs when taken individually.

But separate studies have found both Actonel and Fosamax to be effective for the following uses:. According to estimates on GoodRx. Actonel and Fosamax are both brand-name drugs. There are currently generic forms available of both drugs. A generic medication is an exact copy of the active drug found in a brand-name medication. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics. The generic form of Fosamax, called alendronate, is available as both tablets and a liquid that you take by mouth.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Examples of other drugs that may be used to prevent osteoporosis include:.

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat osteoporosis include:. During this period of time, levels of the drug will slowly decrease until Actonel has been largely cleared from your system.

Keep in mind that part of the way Actonel works is by becoming part of newly formed bone. That means it can remain in your bone for years. Some recent studies have looked at the relationship between Actonel and cancer.

Risedronate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet changes, exercise, bone mineral density testing, and taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep unused effervescent tablets in the foil blister pack. Once-daily dosing: If you forget to take risedronate first thing in the morning, do not take it later in the day.

Wait until the following morning and skip the missed dose. Do not take two 2 doses in one day. Once-per-week or once-per-month dosing: If you forget to take risedronate on your scheduled day, take it first thing in the morning on the day after you remember the missed dose.

Then return to your regular weekly or monthly schedule on your chosen dose day. Do not take 2 doses in one day. Health Topics. Health Tools. Actonel Risedronate. Generic Name: Risedronate.

Reviewed: November 23, Osteoporosis Paget's Disease Prevention of Osteoporosis. You should not take risedronate if you are allergic to it, or if you have: low levels of calcium in your blood hypocalcemia ; or problems with the muscles in your esophagus the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. Tell your doctor if you have ever had: trouble swallowing; problems with your stomach or digestion; hypocalcemia; a dental problem you may need a dental exam before you begin taking risedronate ; kidney disease; or any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food malabsorption.

You should not breastfeed while using risedronate. Side Effects. Side Effects What are the side effects of Actonel Risedronate? Stop using risedronate and call your doctor at once if you have: chest pain, new or worsening heartburn; difficulty or pain when swallowing; pain or burning under the ribs or in the back; severe heartburn, burning pain in your upper stomach, or coughing up blood; new or unusual pain in your thigh or hip; jaw pain, numbness, or swelling; severe joint, bone, or muscle pain; or low calcium levels --muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes.

Common side effects may include: heartburn, diarrhea, indigestion; stomach pain; back pain, joint pain, muscle pain; or flu-like symptoms. Based on FDA pregnancy categories. Interactions What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Actonel Risedronate? Do not take two different brands or strengths of risedronate at the same time.

Accessed June 3, Kellerman RD, et al. In: Conn's Current Therapy Elsevier; Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Goldman L, et al. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. See also Aging and unsteady gait Ankylosing spondylitis: Am I at risk of osteoporosis? Anorexia nervosa Back pain Bone density test Bone health tips Calcium Timing calcium supplements Celiac disease Celiac disease: Can gluten be absorbed through the skin? Celiac disease diet: How do I get enough grains?

CT scan CT scans: Are they safe? Elliptical machines: Better than treadmills? Exercising with osteoporosis Fall prevention Fractures High-protein diets Male hypogonadism Osteoporosis Osteoporosis and long-term prednisone: What is the risk? Risks of osteoporosis drugs Osteoporosis rehabilitation Osteoporosis treatment: Medications can help Symptom Checker Conventional treatment for osteoporosis How osteoporosis is diagnosed How to keep your bones strong Osteoporosis and nutrition: 5 key steps Osteoporosis — What are your risks?

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