Risedronate (Systemic)

Brand Names : Actonel

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For risedronate, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to risedronate. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in animals given large doses of risedronate have shown that this medicine causes decreased weight gain, cleft palate, and deformed bones in the fetus, and, in some cases, death of the fetus.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether risedronate passes into milk. However, it does pass into the milk in animals. Discuss with your doctor whether or not to breast-feed while you are being treated with this medicine.

Children - There is no specific information comparing use of risedronate in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Risedronate has been tested in elderly patients and has not been found to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking risedronate, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Antacids containing calcium or
• Mineral supplements containing calcium - These medicines may decrease the amount of risedronate that is absorbed into the body

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of risedronate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Digestive system problems, including trouble swallowing, inflammation of the esophagus, or ulcer - Risedronate may make these conditions worse

• Kidney problems - Effects of risedronate may be increased because of slower removal from the body