Risedronate and Calcium Dosing

Risedronate and calcium dosing guidelines take various factors into account, such as whether you are taking other medications or have other medical conditions. Typically, the risedronate tablets are taken once a week, while the calcium tablets are taken on the other six days. To ensure a safe, successful treatment process, it's important to follow your healthcare provider's risedronate and calcium dosing instructions as prescribed.

 

Risedronate and Calcium Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of risedronate and calcium (Actonel® With Calcium) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your risedronate and calcium dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Risedronate and Calcium Dosing for Osteoporosis

The recommended dose of risedronate and calcium for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is one risedronate 35 mg tablet (the orange tablet) once a week and one calcium carbonate 1250 mg tablet (the blue tablet) once daily on the other six days of the week. Each calcium carbonate tablet is equivalent to 500 mg of plain calcium, which is less than the daily recommendation (usually 1200 mg of plain calcium each day). If you do not get enough calcium through your diet, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take a calcium supplement.
 

General Information on Dosing With Risedronate and Calcium

Considerations for people taking risedronate and calcium include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form and is taken every day. The risedronate tablets are taken once a week, while the calcium tablets are taken on the other six days of the week. Never take the calcium tablet and the risedronate tablet at the same time.
     
  • For the risedronate tablets (the orange tablets):
 
    • Risedronate must be taken first thing in the morning at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything (other than water). You must wait at least 30 minutes after taking the medication before eating or drinking anything other than water or taking any medications. Food, beverages, and medications can interact with the drug and prevent it from being absorbed into the body.
 
    • Take risedronate with a full glass of plain water only (not coffee, juice, soda, or even mineral water). You should follow the dose with at least a quarter of a cup of plain water.
 
    • Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water while sitting or standing upright. You must not lie down until you have waited at least 30 minutes after the dose and after you have eaten something. The tablets should not be chewed, broken, or sucked on. These precautions are necessary to prevent risedronate from irritating your esophagus.
 
  • For the calcium tablets (the blue tablets): The calcium tablets should be taken with food once daily on the other six days of the week.
     
  • You need to make sure that you get enough vitamin D while taking risedronate and calcium, as the medication cannot build bone without it.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Risedronate and calcium will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to risedronate and calcium dosing, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;