Risedronate and Calcium: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
- Kidney stones
- Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) or high blood calcium (hypercalcemia)
- An inability to sit upright or stand for 30 minutes
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Difficulty swallowing or other problems with your esophagus
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Planning to have a dental procedure.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Precautions and Warnings With Risedronate and Calcium
Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking
risedronate and calcium include the following:
- In rare cases, bisphosphonates (including risedronate, one of the drug's components) have caused a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a serious, possibly disfiguring, problem in which the bone of the jaw dies. Often, there are symptoms (such as pain, infection, or loosening of the teeth), but sometimes there are no symptoms until a person notices exposed bone. This problem is most common when bisphosphonates are given by IV, but is still possible when these medications are taken orally. People who have dental procedures such as a tooth extraction seem to be at higher risk. Be sure to take good care of your mouth and teeth by seeing your dentist frequently. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you think you may have osteonecrosis of the jaw.
- Risedronate, like all bisphosphonate medications, can irritate or damage the esophagus and stomach. This can lead to indigestion, heartburn, or even ulcers. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice any of these problems while taking risedronate and calcium.
- It is important to closely follow the instructions for taking the drug. Not doing so could increase your risk of side effects or may make risedronate and calcium ineffective (see Risedronate and Calcium Dosing for more information).
- It is important to get enough vitamin D while taking the drug, either through your diet or by supplementation. Vitamin D is necessary for rebuilding bone and preventing further bone loss. Risedronate and calcium cannot work if you do not get enough vitamin D.
- Calcium (one of the components of risedronate and calcium) can increase the risk of kidney stones. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking the drug if you have had kidney stones in the past.
- Risedronate and calcium may not be recommended for people with severe kidney disease.
- Bisphosphonates (including risedronate) can cause extreme muscle or bone pain. This usually goes away once the medication is stopped.
- Risedronate and calcium can potentially interact with a number of medications (see Drug Interactions With Risedronate and Calcium).
- Risedronate and calcium is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy (see Actonel and Pregnancy).
- It is not known whether risedronate and calcium passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Actonel and Breastfeeding).
