Actonel ®

Brand Name	: Actonel ®
Active Ingredient	: risedronate sodium
Strength(s)	: 5mg, 30mg, & 35 mg
Dosage Form(s)	: Tablet
Company Name	: Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals
Availability	: Prescription only
Date Approved by FDA*	: March 27, 1998

*Approval by FDA does not mean that the drug is available for consumers at this time.

What is Actonel used for?

Actonel is used to treat Paget's disease of the bone. Actonel is also used to prevent and treat:

Postmenopausal osteoporosis
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women

Who should NOT take Actonel?

You should not take Actonel if you have:

Low calcium levels in the blood.
Bone or mineral problems that have not been treated by your health care provider.
Severe kidney problems.

General Precautions with Actonel:

Tell your doctor if you have a history of stomach problems because Actonel can cause difficulty swallowing, inflammation of the esophagus, esophageal ulcer, and stomach ulcer.

If you have a bone-imaging test, tell your doctor or technician you are taking Actonel, because it can interfere with the test.

What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?

Tell your doctor or health care provider if you are:

taking aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), because taken together with Actonel, aspirin and NSAIDs can increase the probability of stomach irritation.
trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of Actonel?

(This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Actonel. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.

Side effects of Actonel are generally mild to moderate and do not require stopping the treatment.

The following is a listing of the most common side effects:

Flu syndrome
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Constipation
Swelling
Joint pain
Headache
Dizziness
Rash

For more detailed information about Actonel, ask your health care provider.