What is Actonel
Risedronic acidThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryRisedronic acid is a medication used to treat certain forms of osteoperosis and Paget's disease. It works by preventing the breakdown of bones and helps to keep bones strong. It is a type of third generation bisphosphonate and has been approved by the FDA for use in these conditions.
Actonelis the brand name
Actonel Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Actonel
Risedronic acid
1998
61
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Risedronic acid, also called Actonel, is approved by the FDA for 5 uses including Bone and Bones and Osteoporosis .Bone and Bones
Used to treat increased bone mass in combination with Calcium
Osteoporosis
Used to treat Osteoporosis in combination with Calcium
Postmenopause
Therapeutic procedure
Paget’s Disease
Effectiveness
How Actonel Affects PatientsRisedronate is a medication that works to stop bones from being broken down in the body. It does this by blocking the activity of cells involved in the breakdown process (called osteoclasts).
How Actonel works in the bodyRisedronate acid works by binding to the bones in the body. When bones are broken down, this acid is released and taken into osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bones. The acid stops the osteoclasts from working, meaning that bones are not broken down any further. This helps to reduce bone resorption and maintain healthy bones.
When to interrupt dosage
The proposed dose of Actonel is contingent upon the ascertained condition, including Therapeutic procedure, Malignant Neoplasms and Postmenopause. The quantity of dosage differs, as indicated by the method of delivery outlined in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Bone and Bones
4.3 mg, , 150.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 25.8 mg, 30.0 mg, 30.1 mg, 75.0 mg, 4.9 mg, 64.5 mg, 129.0 mg
, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Kit, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, Delayed Release
Paget’s Disease
4.3 mg, , 150.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 25.8 mg, 30.0 mg, 30.1 mg, 75.0 mg, 4.9 mg, 64.5 mg, 129.0 mg
, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Kit, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, Delayed Release
Therapeutic procedure
4.3 mg, , 150.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 25.8 mg, 30.0 mg, 30.1 mg, 75.0 mg, 4.9 mg, 64.5 mg, 129.0 mg
, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Kit, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, Delayed Release
Malignant Neoplasms
4.3 mg, , 150.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 25.8 mg, 30.0 mg, 30.1 mg, 75.0 mg, 4.9 mg, 64.5 mg, 129.0 mg
, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Kit, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, Delayed Release
Osteoporosis
4.3 mg, , 150.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 25.8 mg, 30.0 mg, 30.1 mg, 75.0 mg, 4.9 mg, 64.5 mg, 129.0 mg
, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Kit, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, Delayed Release
Postmenopause
4.3 mg, , 150.0 mg, 35.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 25.8 mg, 30.0 mg, 30.1 mg, 75.0 mg, 4.9 mg, 64.5 mg, 129.0 mg
, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, Delayed Release - Oral, Kit, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, Granule, effervescent; Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet - Oral, Kit; Tablet, Tablet, Delayed Release
Warnings
Actonel ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
Do Not Combine
Hypocalcemia
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Risedronic Acid may interact with Toxoplasma Infections
Common Actonel Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Etidronic acid
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Risedronic acid is combined with Etidronic acid.
Incadronic acid
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Risedronic acid is combined with Incadronic acid.
Tiludronic acid
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Risedronic acid is combined with Tiludronic acid.
Acipimox
Moderate
The risk or severity of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria can be increased when Risedronic acid is combined with Acipimox.
Aluminium clofibrate
Moderate
The risk or severity of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria can be increased when Risedronic acid is combined with Aluminium clofibrate.
Actonel Toxicity & Overdose RiskUp to 10% of people taking this drug may experience back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, or indigestion. Less commonly, patients may develop a rash, swelling, eye irritation, or inflammation of the eyes. In cases of overdose, calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood may drop. To reduce the drug's absorption, milk or antacid tablets may be given. In more serious cases, a stomach-washing procedure and calcium given through an IV may be required. In rats, it takes up to 620 times the normal human dose to be fatal.
Actonel Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Actonel?
50 active clinical trials are presently being conducted to assess the potential of Actonel in addressing Paget’s Disease, Postmenopause and Malignant Neoplasms.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Malignant Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Paget’s Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Therapeutic procedure
0 Actively Recruiting
Bone and Bones
0 Actively Recruiting
Postmenopause
7 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Osteoporosis
44 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 3
Actonel Reviews: What are patients saying about Actonel?
5Patient Review
8/24/2017 I've been taking Actonel for three years now to treat my osteoporosis and it's been really effective.
5Patient Review
3/24/2017 I'm glad I found this treatment. It's really effective for me and I would recommend it to others.
4.7Patient Review
5/29/2021 So far, so good! I took my first dose this morning and have had no side effects whatsoever. I'm hopeful that this will help with my bone density issue.
4Patient Review
7/14/2021 I've been taking Actonel for two decades now and it has definitely helped control my bone density loss. I'm 80 years old and still going strong!
3Patient Review
9/24/2018 I started taking Actonel for my osteoporosis per my doctor's orders. However, I woke up feeling awful the next day. Aches, fever, stomach issues; I felt like crap. Additionally, I read about some pretty scary potential side effects (jaw problems) and am now second-guessing whether or not to continue with the medication.
2Patient Review
7/11/2014 I didn't have a great experience with this medication. I developed flu-like symptoms including headaches, body aches, and mental fog every time I took it. Additionally, I experienced severe stomach cramps that actually caused me to miss work on multiple occasions.
1Patient Review
10/21/2018 I took the first pill of this monthly medication and immediately got sick. I felt dizzy, had stomach pains and heartburn, and terrible headaches. I missed work and went to the ER, where they told me that the effects of the medication just had to wear off. I will never take that pill again - it's not worth it.
1Patient Review
1/16/2022 I HIGHLY recommend avoiding this medication. I had incredibly unpleasant side effects that made me wish for death. This is not an exaggeration. The FDA should be sued for approving it.
1Patient Review
10/18/2015 The pain this medication caused was unbearable. I was out of work for three days and had a horrible headache the entire time. I don't understand how the FDA approved this medicine. It's going to kill me before my osteoporosis does.
1Patient Review
11/9/2013 I just started taking this medication and would like to learn more about it.
Patient Q&A Section about actonel
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.How long should you take Actonel for osteoporosis?
"To reduce the risk of rare thighbone fractures, your doctor may recommend that you take a bisphosphonate holiday, or temporary break, after 3 to 5 years. People with severe osteoporosis may need to wait up to 10 years before stopping bisphosphonate drugs."
Answered by AI
Which is better Actonel or Fosamax?
"In clinical trials, Actonel was shown to work faster than Fosamax, and this new study suggests that the trend continues. The study found that at both six and 12 months, patients given Actonel had a significantly lower rate of fracture at hip and non-vertebral sites."
Answered by AI
Does Actonel improve bone density?
"Actonel is used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. It reduces the rate at which bone cells are absorbed, which in turn allows the body to increase bone density and reduce the risk of fracture."
Answered by AI