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Actonel This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Actonel but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns. Why is Actonel prescribed? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Risedronate is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (change of life; end of menstrual periods) and in men and women who are taking glucocorticoids (corticosteroids; a type of medication that may cause osteoporosis). Risedronate is also used to treat osteoporosis in men. Risedronate is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone (a condition in which the bones are soft and weak and may be deformed, painful, or easily broken). Risedronate is in a class of medications called bisphosphonates. It works by preventing bone breakdown and increasing bone density (thickness). Recent news articles mentioning Actonel Risedronate prevents bone loss in breast cancer survivors  -  Feb 7, 2007 Therapeutics Daily (subscription) (press release), Dr. Susan L. Greenspan from University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and other members of the Risedronate's Effect on Bone Loss in Breast Cancer (ReBBeCa) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome  -  Feb 19, 2007 KKTV 11 News, Your doctor may also have you take bone-loss medications, such as risedronate (Actonel) and calcitonin (Miacalcin). Opioid medications may be another option How should Actonel be used? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Risedronate comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken on an empty stomach once a day in the morning or once a week in the morning. If you are taking risedronate once a week, take it on the same day every week. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take risedronate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor. Risedronate may not work properly and may damage the esophagus (tube between the mouth and stomach) or cause sores in the mouth if it is not taken according to the following instructions. Tell your doctor if you do not understand, you do not think you will remember, or you are unable to follow these instructions: You must take risedronate immediately after you get out of bed in the morning and before you eat or drink anything. Never take risedronate at bedtime or before you wake up and get out of bed for the day. Swallow the tablets with a full glass (6–8 ounces) of plain water while you are sitting or standing. Never take risedronate with tea, coffee, juice, mineral water, milk, other dairy drinks, or any liquid other than plain water. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not split, chew, or crush them. Do not suck on the tablets or hold them in your mouth for any length of time. After you take risedronate, do not eat, drink, or take any other medications for at least 30 minutes. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after you take risedronate. Sit upright or stand upright until at least 30 minutes have passed. Risedronate controls osteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone but does not cure these conditions. Risedronate helps to treat and prevent osteoporosis only as long as it is taken regularly. Continue to take risedronate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking risedronate without talking to your doctor. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient. Other uses for Actonel [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sertraline or any other medications. Before taking sertraline liquid concentrate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex. do not take sertraline if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks, or if you are taking pimozide (Orap). do not take disulfiram (Antabuse) while taking sertraline concentrate. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cimetidine (Tagamet); diazepam (Valium); digoxin (Lanoxin); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for anxiety, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, and seizures; medications for irregular heartbeat such as flecainide (Tambocor) and propafenone (Rythmol); oral medications for diabetes such as tolbutamide (Orinase); medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted suicide. Also tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had seizures or liver or heart disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sertraline, call your doctor. you should know that sertraline may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking sertraline. you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and at any time your dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you have depression or other mental illness, whether or not you are taking sertraline or any other medication. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; aggressive behavior; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own. What side effects can Actonel cause? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Risedronate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: nausea burping dry mouth stomach pain diarrhea constipation gas headache dizziness depression anxiety weakness leg cramps bone, joint, and/or muscle pain back pain flu-like symptoms fever, chills, sore throat, cough, and other signs of infection frequent or urgent need to urinate painful urination runny nose dry eyes ringing in the ears Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately before you take any more risedronate: difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing new or worsening heartburn chest pain bloody vomit vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds black, tarry, or bloody stools itching rash hives blisters on skin swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs difficulty breathing hoarseness swollen, red, or painful eyes sensitivity to light Risedronate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Brand names for Actonel [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Actonel®