Actonel (Risedronate Sodium): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects ... - RxList

What Is Actonel?

Actonel (risedronate sodium) is a bisphosphonate used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in men and women, and is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone.

Actonel is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Actonel?

Actonel may cause serious side effects including:

• chest pain,
• new or worsening heartburn,
• difficulty or pain when swallowing,
• pain or burning under the ribs or in the back,
• severe heartburn,
• burning in your upper stomach,
• coughing up blood,
• new or unusual pain in your thigh or hip,
• jaw pain,
• numbness,
• swelling,
• severe joint, bone, or muscle pain,
• muscle spasms or contractions, and
• numbness or tingly feeling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes)

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Actonel include:

• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• headache
• flu symptoms
• muscle pain
• diarrhea, constipation, or
• joint or back pain

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Actonel

Dosage of Actonel depends on the condition being treated.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Actonel?

Actonel may interact with:

• antacids,
• supplements, or
• medicines that contain aluminum, calcium, magnesium.

Other minerals can interfere with how your body absorbs this drug.

It may also interact with aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Actonel and Pregnancy

Caution is advised if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the future. This medication may stay in your body for many years. Its effects on a fetus are not known. Consult your doctor. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Actonel (risedronate sodium) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.