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Important Safety Information | ACTONEL Patient Information | Healthcare Professionals | Text Size A A A | Send to a friend
The inside story on how ACTONEL can help increase bone strength.ACTONEL is the only monthly osteoporosis pill approved to help prevent fractures at both the spine and other areas where fractures commonly occur (other areas were measured as a group, not separately).

How to take it.


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No matter which dose of ACTONEL you take, always make sure you:
  • Take ACTONEL exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
  • Take ACTONEL first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything except plain water.
  • Take ACTONEL while you are sitting up or standing.
  • Take ACTONEL with 6 to 8 ounces (about 1 cup) of plain water. Do not take it with any drink other than plain water.
  • Swallow ACTONEL whole. Do not chew the tablet or keep it in your mouth to melt or dissolve.
After taking ACTONEL, you must wait at least 30 minutes before you: Make sure you stay on ACTONEL as long as your healthcare
provider tells you. As part of your bone health routine: If you miss a dose of ACTONEL:


ACTONEL is for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Your doctor may also prescribe ACTONEL to help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.


Important Safety Information for
ACTONEL® (risedronate sodium) tablets


You should not take Actonel if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, if you have low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), have kidneys that work poorly, or cannot stand or sit upright for 30 minutes.


Stop taking Actonel and tell your doctor right away if you experience difficult or painful swallowing, chest pain, or severe or continuing heartburn, as these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems. Follow dosing instructions carefully to lower the chance of these events occurring.


Side effects may include stomach pain, upset stomach, or back, muscle, bone or joint pain, sometimes severe. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects, or if you have questions about Actonel. Promptly tell your doctor if you develop dental problems, as serious jawbone problems have been reported rarely.


Please see ACTONEL Patient Information.