Generic Name
Risedronate
Brand Names
Actonel, Atelvia
FDA approval date: May 17, 2002
Classification: Bisphosphonate
Form: Tablet
What is Actonel (Risedronate)?
ACTONEL is a bisphosphonate indicated for: Treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Approved To Treat
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Brand Information
Actonel (Risedronate Sodium)
1DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
- 5 mg film-coated, oval, yellow tablet with RSN on 1 face and 5 mg on the other.
- 30 mg film-coated, oval, white tablet with RSN on 1 face and 30 mg on the other.
- 35 mg film-coated, oval, orange tablet with RSN on 1 face and 35 mg on the other.
- 75 mg film-coated, oval, pink tablet with RSN on 1 face and 75 mg on the other.
- 150 mg film-coated, oval, blue tablet with RSN on 1 face and 150 mg on the other.
2CONTRAINDICATIONS
ACTONEL is contraindicated in patients with the following conditions:
- Abnormalities of the esophagus which delay esophageal emptying such as stricture or achalasia
- Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
- Hypocalcemia
- Known hypersensitivity to ACTONEL or any of its excipients. Angioedema, generalized rash, bullous skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported
3ADVERSE REACTIONS
The following clinically significant adverse drug reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
- Drug Products with the Same Active Ingredient
- Upper Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions
- Mineral Metabolism
- Jaw Osteonecrosis
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- Atypical Fractures Including Femoral Fractures
- Renal Impairment
- Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
- Laboratory Test Interactions
3.1Clinical Studies Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Daily Dosing
The safety of ACTONEL 5 mg once daily in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was assessed in four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multinational trials of 3232 women aged 38 to 85 years with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The duration of the trials was up to three years, with 1619 patients exposed to placebo and 1613 patients exposed to ACTONEL 5 mg. Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease and concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and H
The incidence of all-cause mortality was 2.0% in the placebo group and 1.7% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 24.6% in the placebo group and 27.2% in the ACTONEL 5 mg group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from the study due to adverse events was 15.6% in the placebo group and 14.8% in the ACTONEL 5 mg group. The most common adverse reactions reported in greater than 10 percent of subjects were: back pain, arthralgia, abdominal pain and dyspepsia. Table 1 lists adverse events from the Phase 3 postmenopausal osteoporosis trials reported in greater than or equal to 5% of patients. Adverse events are shown without attribution of causality.
Gastrointestinal Adverse Events:
The incidence of adverse events in the placebo and ACTONEL 5 mg daily groups were: abdominal pain (9.9% versus 12.2%), diarrhea (10.0% versus 10.8%), dyspepsia (10.6% versus 10.8%), and gastritis (2.3% versus 2.7%). Duodenitis and glossitis have been reported uncommonly in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group (0.1% to 1%). In patients with active upper gastrointestinal disease at baseline, the incidence of upper gastrointestinal adverse events was similar between the placebo and ACTONEL 5 mg daily groups.
Musculoskeletal Adverse Events:
The incidence of adverse events in the placebo and ACTONEL 5 mg daily groups were: back pain (26.1% versus 28.0%), arthralgia (22.1% versus 23.7%), myalgia (6.2% versus 6.7%), and bone pain (4.8% versus 5.3%).
Laboratory Test Findings:
Throughout the Phase 3 studies, transient decreases from baseline in serum calcium (less than 1%) and serum phosphate (less than 3%) and compensatory increases in serum PTH levels (less than 30%) were observed within 6 months in patients in osteoporosis clinical trials treated with ACTONEL 5 mg once daily. There were no significant differences in serum calcium, phosphate, or PTH levels between placebo and ACTONEL 5 mg once daily at 3 years. Serum calcium levels below 8 mg/dL were observed in 18 patients, 9 (0.5%) in each treatment arm (placebo and ACTONEL 5 mg once daily). Serum phosphorus levels below 2 mg/dL were observed in 14 patients, 3 (0.2%) treated with placebo and 11 (0.6%) treated with ACTONEL 5 mg once daily. There have been rare reports (less than 0.1%) of abnormal liver function tests.
Endoscopic Findings:
In the ACTONEL clinical trials, endoscopic evaluation was encouraged in any patient with moderate-to-severe gastrointestinal complaints, while maintaining the blind. Endoscopies were performed on equal numbers of patients between the placebo and treated groups [75 (14.5%) placebo; 75 (11.9%) ACTONEL]. Clinically important findings (perforations, ulcers, or bleeding) among this symptomatic population were similar between groups (51% placebo; 39% ACTONEL).
Once-a-Week Dosing
The safety of ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was assessed in a 1-year, double-blind, multicenter study comparing ACTONEL 5 mg daily and ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 95 years. The duration of the trials was one year, with 480 patients exposed to ACTONEL 5 mg daily and 485 exposed to ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week. Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease and concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and H
The incidence of all-cause mortality was 0.4% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 1.0% in the ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 7.1% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 8.2% in the ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from the study due to adverse events was 11.9% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 11.5% in the ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week group. The overall safety and tolerability profiles of the two dosing regimens were similar.
Gastrointestinal Adverse Events:
The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events was similar between the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and the ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week group: dyspepsia (6.9% versus 7.6%), diarrhea (6.3% versus 4.9%), and abdominal pain (7.3% versus 7.6%).
Musculoskeletal Adverse Events:
Arthralgia was reported in 11.5% of patients in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 14.2% of patients in the ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week group. Myalgia was reported by 4.6% of patients in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 6.2% of patients in the ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week group.
Laboratory Test Findings:
The mean percent changes from baseline at 12 months were similar between the ACTONEL 5 mg daily and ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week groups, respectively, for serum calcium (0.4% versus 0.7%), phosphate (-3.8% versus -2.6%) and PTH (6.4% versus 4.2%).
Monthly Dosing
Two Consecutive Days per Month
The safety of ACTONEL 75 mg administered on two consecutive days per month for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was assessed in a double-blind, multicenter study in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 86 years. The duration of the trial was two years; 613 patients were exposed to ACTONEL 5 mg daily and 616 were exposed to ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month. Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease and concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and H
The incidence of all-cause mortality was 1.0% for the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 0.5% for the ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 10.8% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 14.4% in the ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from treatment due to adverse events was 14.2% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 13.0% in the ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month group. The overall safety and tolerability profiles of the two dosing regimens were similar.
Acute Phase Reactions:
Symptoms consistent with acute phase reaction have been reported with bisphosphonate use. The overall incidence of acute phase reaction was 3.6% of patients on ACTONEL 5 mg daily and 7.6% of patients on ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month. These incidence rates are based on reporting of any of 33 acute phase reaction-like symptoms within 5 days of the first dose. Fever or influenza-like illness with onset within the same period were reported by 0.0% of patients on ACTONEL 5 mg daily and 0.6% of patients on ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month.
Gastrointestinal Adverse Events:
The ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month group resulted in a higher incidence of discontinuation due to vomiting (1.0% versus 0.2%) and diarrhea (1.0% versus 0.3%) compared to the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group. Most of these events occurred within a few days of dosing.
Ocular Adverse Events:
None of the patients treated with ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month reported ocular inflammation such as uveitis, scleritis, or iritis; 1 patient treated with ACTONEL 5 mg daily reported uveitis.
Laboratory Test Findings:
When ACTONEL 5 mg daily and ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month were compared in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, the mean percent changes from baseline at 24 months were 0.2% and 0.8% for serum calcium, -1.9% and -1.3% for phosphate, and -10.4% and -17.2% for PTH, respectively. Compared to the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group, ACTONEL 75 mg two consecutive days per month resulted in a slightly higher incidence of hypocalcemia at the end of the first month of treatment (4.5% versus 3.0%). Thereafter, the incidence of hypocalcemia with these regimens was similar at approximately 2%.
Once-a-Month
The safety of ACTONEL 150 mg administered once-a-month for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was assessed in a double-blind, multicenter study in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 88 years. The duration of the trial was one year, with 642 patients exposed to ACTONEL 5 mg daily and 650 exposed to ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month. Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease and concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and H
The incidence of all-cause mortality was 0.5% for the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 0.0% for the ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 4.2% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 6.2% in the ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from treatment due to adverse events was 9.5% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 8.6% in the ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month group. The overall safety and tolerability profiles of the two dosing regimens were similar.
Acute Phase Reactions:
Symptoms consistent with acute phase reaction have been reported with bisphosphonate use. The overall incidence of acute phase reaction was 1.1% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group and 5.2% in the ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month group. These incidence rates are based on reporting of any of 33 acute phase reaction-like symptoms within 3 days of the first dose and for a duration of 7 days or less. Fever or influenza-like illness with onset within the same period were reported by 0.2% of patients on ACTONEL 5 mg daily and 1.4% of patients on ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month.
Gastrointestinal Adverse Events:
A greater percentage of patients experienced diarrhea with ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month compared to 5 mg daily (8.2% versus 4.7%, respectively). The ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month group resulted in a higher incidence of discontinuation due to abdominal pain upper (2.5% versus 1.4%) and diarrhea (0.8% versus 0.0%) compared to the ACTONEL 5 mg daily regimen. All of these events occurred within a few days of the first dose. The incidence of vomiting that led to discontinuation was the same in both groups (0.3% versus 0.3%).
Ocular Adverse Events:
None of the patients treated with ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month reported ocular inflammation such as uveitis, scleritis, or iritis; 2 patients treated with ACTONEL 5 mg daily reported iritis.
Laboratory Test Findings:
When ACTONEL 5 mg daily and ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month were compared in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, the mean percent changes from baseline at 12 months were 0.1% and 0.3% for serum calcium, -2.3% and -2.3% for phosphate, and 8.3% and 4.8% for PTH, respectively. Compared to the ACTONEL 5 mg daily regimen, ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month resulted in a slightly higher incidence of hypocalcemia at the end of the first month of treatment (0.2% versus 2.2%). Thereafter, the incidence of hypocalcemia with these regimens was similar at approximately 2%.
PreventionofPostmenopausalOsteoporosis
Daily Dosing
The safety of ACTONEL 5 mg daily in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis was assessed in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. In one study of postmenopausal women aged 37 to 82 years without osteoporosis, the use of estrogen replacement therapy in both placebo- and ACTONEL-treated patients was included. The duration of the trial was one year, with 259 exposed to placebo and 261 patients exposed to ACTONEL 5 mg. The second study included postmenopausal women aged 44 to 63 years without osteoporosis. The duration of the trial was one year, with 125 exposed to placebo and 129 patients exposed to ACTONEL 5 mg. All women received 1000 mg of elemental calcium per day.
In the trial with estrogen replacement therapy, the incidence of all-cause mortality was 1.5% for the placebo group and 0.4% for the ACTONEL 5 mg group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 8.9% in the placebo group and 5.4% in the ACTONEL 5 mg group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from treatment due to adverse events was 18.9% in the placebo group and 10.3% in the ACTONEL 5 mg group. Constipation was reported by 1.9% of the placebo group and 6.5% of ACTONEL 5 mg group.
In the second trial, the incidence of all-cause mortality was 0.0% for both groups. The incidence of serious adverse events was 17.6% in the placebo group and 9.3% in the ACTONEL 5 mg group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from treatment due to adverse events was 6.4% in the placebo group and 5.4% in the ACTONEL 5 mg group. Nausea was reported by 6.4% of patients in the placebo group and 13.2% of patients in the ACTONEL 5 mg group.
Once-a-Week Dosing
There were no deaths in a 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week for prevention of bone loss in 278 postmenopausal women without osteoporosis. More treated subjects on ACTONEL reported arthralgia (placebo 7.8%; ACTONEL 13.9%), myalgia (placebo 2.1%; ACTONEL 5.1%), and nausea (placebo 4.3%; ACTONEL 7.3%) than subjects on placebo.
Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in MenwithOsteoporosis
In a 2-year, double-blind, multicenter study, 284 men with osteoporosis were treated with placebo (N = 93) or ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week (N = 191). The overall safety and tolerability profile of ACTONEL in men with osteoporosis was similar to the adverse events reported in the ACTONEL postmenopausal osteoporosis clinical trials, with the addition of benign prostatic hyperplasia (placebo 3%; ACTONEL 35 mg 5%), nephrolithiasis (placebo 0%; ACTONEL 35 mg 3%), and arrhythmia (placebo 0%; ACTONEL 35 mg 2%).
Treatment and Prevention ofGlucocorticoid-InducedOsteoporosis
The safety of ACTONEL 5 mg daily in the treatment and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis was assessed in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multinational trials of 344 patients [male (123) and female (221)] aged 18 to 85 years who had recently initiated oral glucocorticoid therapy (less than or equal to 3 months, prevention study) or were on long-term oral glucocorticoid therapy (greater than or equal to 6 months, treatment study). The duration of the trials was one year, with 170 patients exposed to placebo and 174 patients exposed to ACTONEL 5 mg daily. Patients in one study received 1000 mg elemental calcium plus 400 international units of vitamin D supplementation per day; patients in the other study received 500 mg calcium supplementation per day.
The incidence of all-cause mortality was 2.9% in the placebo group and 1.1% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group. The incidence of serious adverse events was 33.5% in the placebo group and 30.5% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from the study due to adverse events was 8.8% in the placebo group and 7.5% in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group. Back pain was reported in 8.8% of patients in the placebo group and 17.8% of patients in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group. Arthralgia was reported in 14.7% of patients in the placebo group and 24.7% of patients in the ACTONEL 5 mg daily group.
Treatment of Paget’s Disease
ACTONEL has been studied in 392 patients with Paget’s disease of bone. As in trials of ACTONEL for other indications, the adverse experiences reported in the Paget’s disease trials have generally been mild or moderate, have not required discontinuation of treatment, and have not appeared to be related to patient age, gender, or race.
The safety of ACTONEL was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study of 122 patients aged 34 to 85 years. The duration of the trial was 540 days, with 61 patients exposed to ACTONEL and 61 patients exposed to Didronel
Gastrointestinal Adverse Events:
During the first year of the study (treatment and nontreatment follow-up), the proportion of patients who reported upper gastrointestinal adverse events was similar between the treatment groups; no patients reported severe upper gastrointestinal adverse events. The incidence of diarrhea was 19.7% in the ACTONEL group and 14.8% in the Didronel group; none were serious or resulted in withdrawal.
Ocular Adverse Events:
Three patients who received ACTONEL 30 mg daily experienced acute iritis in 1 supportive study. All 3 patients recovered from their events; however, in 1 of these patients, the event recurred during ACTONEL treatment and again during treatment with pamidronate. All patients were effectively treated with topical steroids.
3.2Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ACTONEL or bisphosphonate products. Because these adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity and skin reactions have been reported, including angioedema, generalized rash, bullous skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Gastrointestinal Adverse Events
Events involving upper gastrointestinal irritation, such as esophagitis and esophageal or gastric ulcers, have been reported
Musculoskeletal
Bone, joint, or muscle pain, described as severe or incapacitating, have been reported rarely
Eye Inflammation
Reactions of eye inflammation including iritis and uveitis have been reported rarely.
Jaw Osteonecrosis
Osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported rarely
Pulmonary
Asthma exacerbations
4DRUG INTERACTIONS
No specific drug-drug interaction studies were performed. Risedronate is not metabolized and does not induce or inhibit hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes (for example, Cytochrome P450).
4.1Calcium Supplements/Antacids
Co-administration of ACTONEL and calcium, antacids, or oral medications containing divalent cations will interfere with the absorption of ACTONEL.
4.2Hormone Replacement Therapy
One study of about 500 early postmenopausal women has been conducted to date in which treatment with ACTONEL 5 mg daily plus estrogen replacement therapy was compared to estrogen replacement therapy alone. Exposure to study drugs was approximately 12 to 18 months and the primary endpoint was change in BMD. If considered appropriate, ACTONEL may be used concomitantly with hormone replacement therapy.
4.3Aspirin/NonsteroidalAnti-Inflammatory Drugs
Of over 5700 patients enrolled in the ACTONEL Phase 3 osteoporosis studies, aspirin use was reported by 31% of patients, 24% of whom were regular users (3 or more days per week). Forty-eight percent of patients reported NSAID use, 21% of whom were regular users. Among regular aspirin or NSAID users, the incidence of upper gastrointestinal adverse experiences in placebo-treated patients (24.8%) was similar to that in ACTONEL-treated patients (24.5%).
4.4HBlockers and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Of over 5700 patients enrolled in the ACTONEL Phase 3 osteoporosis studies, 21% used H
5OVERDOSAGE
Decreases in serum calcium and phosphorus following substantial overdose may be expected in some patients. Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia may also occur in some of these patients. Milk or antacids containing calcium should be given to bind ACTONEL and reduce absorption of the drug.
In cases of substantial overdose, gastric lavage may be considered to remove unabsorbed drug. Standard procedures that are effective for treating hypocalcemia, including the administration of calcium intravenously, would be expected to restore physiologic amounts of ionized calcium and to relieve signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia.
Lethality after single oral doses was seen in female rats at 903 mg/kg and male rats at 1703 mg/kg. The minimum lethal dose in mice and rabbits was 4000 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. These values represent 320 to 620 times the 30 mg human dose based on surface area (mg/m
6DESCRIPTION
ACTONEL (risedronate sodium) tablets is a pyridinyl bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and modulates bone metabolism. Each ACTONEL tablet for oral administration contains the equivalent of 5, 30, 35, 75, or 150 mg of anhydrous risedronate sodium in the form of the hemi-pentahydrate with small amounts of monohydrate. The empirical formula for risedronate sodium hemi-pentahydrate is C
![ACTONEL (risedronate sodium) tablets is a pyridinyl bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and modulates bone metabolism. Each ACTONEL tablet for oral administration contains the equivalent of 5, 30, 35, 75, or 150 mg of anhydrous risedronate sodium in the form of the hemi-pentahydrate with small amounts of monohydrate. The empirical formula for risedronate sodium hemi-pentahydrate is C7H10NO7P2Na •2.5 H2O. The chemical name of risedronate sodium is [1-hydroxy-2-(3-pyridinyl)ethylidene]bis[phosphonic acid] monosodium salt. The chemical structure of risedronate sodium hemi-pentahydrate is the following:](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?name=actonel-01.jpg&setid=24ed00e0-25e2-49a8-97fc-66c1b417dc0b)
Molecular Weight:
Anhydrous: 305.10
Hemi-pentahydrate: 350.13
Risedronate sodium is a fine, white to off-white, odorless, crystalline powder. It is soluble in water and in aqueous solutions, and essentially insoluble in common organic solvents.
Inactive Ingredients
All dose strengths contain: crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide.
Dose strength-specific ingredients include: 5 mg—ferric oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate; 30 mg—lactose monohydrate; 35 mg—ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate; 75 mg—ferric oxide red; 150 mg—FD&C blue #2 aluminum lake.
7HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
ACTONEL
5 mg film-coated, oval, yellow tablets with RSN on 1 face and 5 mg on the other.
30 mg film-coated, oval, white tablets with RSN on 1 face and 30 mg on the other.
35 mg film-coated, oval, orange tablets with RSN on 1 face and 35 mg on the other.
75 mg film-coated, oval, pink tablets with RSN on 1 face and 75 mg on the other.
150 mg film-coated, oval, blue tablets with RSN on 1 face and 150 mg on the other.
Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F) [see USP].
8PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
See FDA-approved patient labeling (
Instruct patients to read the Medication Guide before starting therapy with ACTONEL and to re-read it each time the prescription is renewed.
Instruct patients that Atelvia and ACTONEL contain the same active ingredient and if they are taking Atelvia, they should not take ACTONEL
Instruct patients to pay particular attention to the dosing instructions as clinical benefits may be compromised by failure to take the drug according to instructions. Specifically, ACTONEL should be taken at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water.
Instruct patients to take ACTONEL while in an upright position (sitting or standing) with a full glass of plain water (6 to 8 ounces) to facilitate delivery to the stomach, and thus reduce the potential for esophageal irritation.
Instruct patients not to lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication
Instruct patients not to chew or suck on the tablet because of a potential for oropharyngeal irritation.
Instruct patients that if they develop symptoms of esophageal disease (such as difficulty or pain upon swallowing, retrosternal pain or severe persistent or worsening heartburn) they should consult their physician before continuing ACTONEL.
Instruct patients about missing ACTONEL doses as follows:
- If a dose of ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week is missed, they should take 1 tablet on the morning after they remember and return to taking 1 tablet once-a-week, as originally scheduled on their chosen day. Patients should not take 2 tablets on the same day.
- If one or both tablets of ACTONEL 75 mg on two consecutive days per month are missed, and the next month’s scheduled doses are more than 7 days away, the patient should be instructed as follows:
- If one or both tablets of ACTONEL 75 mg on two consecutive days per month are missed, and the next month's scheduled doses are within 7 days, patients should wait until their next month’s scheduled doses and then continue taking ACTONEL 75 mg on two consecutive days per month as originally scheduled.
- If the dose of ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month is missed, and the next month’s scheduled dose is more than 7 days away, the patient should be instructed to take the missed tablet in the morning after the day it is remembered. Patients should then return to taking their ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month as originally scheduled. Patients should not take more than one 150 mg tablet within 7 days.
- If the dose of ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month is missed, and the next month's scheduled dose is within 7 days, patients should wait until their next month’s scheduled dose and then continue taking ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month as originally scheduled.
Instruct patients to take supplemental calcium and vitamin D if dietary intake is inadequate
Instruct patients to take calcium supplements or calcium-, aluminum-, and magnesium-containing medications at a different time of the day than ACTONEL as these medications may interfere with the absorption of ACTONEL.
Remind patients to give all of their healthcare providers an accurate medication history. Instruct patients to tell all of their healthcare providers that they are taking ACTONEL. Patients should be instructed that any time they have a medical problem they think may be from ACTONEL, they should talk to their doctor.
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