How To Use Risedronate Sodium (Actonel)

Risedronate sodium comes in the form of an immediate release tablet to take by mouth on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, once daily, once a week, on two days in a row in a month, or once a month. It also comes as a delayed release tablet to take by mouth immediately after breakfast once a week.

Read the prescription label carefully and take risedronate sodium exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency without your doctor’s approval. If you are taking risedronate sodium once a week, two days a month, or once a month, take it on the same day(s) of the week/month every time.

Take Actonel (risedronate sodium immediate-release) first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, after getting out of bed, before your first food or drink of the day. Never take risedronate sodium at bedtime or before you get out of bed in the morning. Take the medicine at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything (except plain water). Do not take any other oral medications or dietary supplements such as vitamins, calcium, or antacids before your risedronate sodium dose and for at least 30 minutes afterward. 

Swallow risedronate sodium tablets whole with a full glass (180-240 mL or 6-8 oz) of plain water while standing or sitting upright. Do not take the medicine with anything other than plain water. Never take it with mineral water, tea, coffee, juice, milk, dairy drinks, or other fluids.

Do not chew or suck on the tablet. Remain upright (sitting or standing) for at least 30 minutes after taking the dose. Do not lie down or eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after taking risedronate sodium. 

Lying down after taking risedronate sodium can damage the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach). Sucking or chewing on the tablets can cause mouth sores.

Risedronate sodium can help to treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease but does not cure these conditions. Continue taking the medicine even if you don’t have any symptoms and feel well. Do not discontinue risedronate sodium without talking to your doctor. Your provider will evaluate you from time to time to see if you still need risedronate sodium.

Missed dose: 

• If you are on a once-daily dosing of risedronate sodium and miss a dose, do not take it later in the day. Skip the missed dose and take the next dose the following morning. 
• If you are on a once-weekly dosing and miss a dose, do not take it later in the day. Take one dose the following morning and then go back to your original scheduled day the next week. 
• If you are on a once-monthly dosing and miss a dose, take the missed dose the following morning as long as there are at least 7 days before the next scheduled dose. If there are less than 7 days until your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. 
• If you are on a two-days-a-month dosing and miss one or both doses, take the medicine the following one or two mornings after you remember, as long as there are at least 7 days until the next scheduled dose. If there are less than 7 days before the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. 
• Remember, to always take risedronate sodium first thing in the morning and never later in the day. 
• Never take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Store risedronate sodium at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused and expired risedronate sodium should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to it. Do not throw risedronate sodium in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded risedronate sodium is through a drug take-back program or your local waste disposal company. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on risedronate sodium. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about risedronate sodium, talk to your doctor for medical advice.

Discounted prices for risedronate sodium (Actonel)
 start at $43.28.

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