Actonel (Risedronate) for Osteoporosis

Overview
Actonel is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Actonel is also indicated for men with osteoporosis and people with osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoid steroids such as prednisone. Actonel is also referred to by its drug name, Risedronate, or Risendronic acid.

Actonel is a bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are believed to work in cases of osteoporosis by reducing the activity of osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone.

How do I take it?
Actonel is taken on differing schedules, ranging from once a day to once a month, according to what type of osteoporosis you have. Ask your doctor whether you need to take daily calcium and vitamin D supplements while on Actonel.

Actonel comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Actonel lists common side effects including upset stomach, back pain, abdominal pain, and joint pain.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Actonel include eye inflammation, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (potentially life-threatening disorder of skin and mucous membranes), osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue) in the jaw, atypical femoral (upper leg) fractures, hypersensitivity reactions, and severe bone, muscle, or joint pain.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Actonel prescribing information - Allergan
https://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/actonel_pi

Bisphosphonates - International Osteoporosis Foundation
https://www.iofbonehealth.org/bisphosphonates