What Is Risedronate Used For?

Risedronate is used for the treatment of osteoporosis in several different groups of people, including men, postmenopausal women, and people who take steroids. The drug works by slowing down the rate at which bone breaks down and encouraging normal re-formation. Off-label risedronate uses include the treatment of high calcium levels in the blood and cancer that has spread to the bones.

Risedronate Sodium Tablets

What Is Risedronate Used For? -- An Overview

Risedronate sodium (Actonel^®) is a prescription medication that is part of a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. It is approved for the following uses:

Treating Paget's disease of the bone in men and women
Treating osteoporosis in men
Preventing and treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Preventing and treating osteoporosis in men and women who take steroids.

Why Is Risedronate Used for Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a disease characterized by low bone mass (bone thinning) that leads to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Men as well as women are affected by this condition. Fortunately, osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated.

Common causes of osteoporosis include:

Age-related bone loss
Smoking
Alcohol abuse
Long-term corticosteroid use
Certain diseases.

Race and ethnicity may play a role in developing osteoporosis as well, but more research is needed to determine the connection.

Often, osteoporosis treatment is not started until a bone is broken, as there are usually no symptoms of osteoporosis. However, treatment may be started earlier if the disease is detected using a test (see Diagnosing Osteoporosis). In fact, some osteoporosis medications (including risedronate) can be used for osteoporosis prevention in people who are at high risk for developing the condition (see Risk Factors for Osteoporosis).

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