Precautions and Warnings With Risedronate

Prior to starting treatment, precautions and warnings with risedronate should be reviewed with your healthcare provider. For example, the drug can irritate the stomach, cause extreme muscle pain, and interact with certain medications. Precautions and warnings with risedronate also extend to those who are allergic to any part of the medication or who have low levels of calcium in the blood.

 

Risedronate: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking risedronate sodium (Actonel®) if you have:
 
  • Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia)
  • 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

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking risedronate include the following:
 
  • In rare cases, bisphosphonates (including risedronate) 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 also 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 the drug.
     
  • It is important to closely follow the instructions for taking risedronate. Not doing so could increase your risk of side effects or may make the drug ineffective (see Risedronate Dosing for more information).
     
  • It is important to get enough calcium and vitamin D while taking risedronate, either through your diet or by supplementation. Calcium and vitamin D are necessary for rebuilding bone and preventing further bone loss, and risedronate cannot work if you do not get enough of these substances.
     
  • Risedronate 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 can potentially interact with a number of medications (see Drug Interactions With Risedronate).
     
  • Risedronate 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 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).
     
(Precautions and Warnings With Risedronate Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;