Actonel is a popular brand of Risedronate which is a bisphosphonate drug used to treat and prevent bone resorption. It's applications include Osteoporosis, generally strengthening bone, and treating Paget's disease of bone.
Fast Facts:
- Taken orally
- If lodged in the esophagus can cause esophageal ulcers
- Usual dosage: 5 mg daily or 35 mg weekly
- Take with a full glass of waterWebMD: Actonel
- Take when standing upright, to help movement into the stomachWebMD: Actonel
- Take at least two hours after and thirty minutes before mealsWebMD: Actonel
- Can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw in very rare casesPubMed: Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaws
Mechanism
Bone tissue is naturally generated and resorbed by the body. In osteoporosis, the mechanism that generates bone tissue becomes less effective. Actonel can be used to compensate for this by reducing the rate of bone resorbtion, causing bone density to slowly increase for the patient.
Cautions
Actonel can cause ulcers in the esophagus if it does not reach the stomach, so it must be taken carefully; additionally, because it is not absorbed well when food is present in the stomach, it has to be taken when the stomach is relatively empty. Finally, Actonel can cause jaw necrosis, similar to the 'phossy jaw' that results from toxic phosphorus exposure. Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking Actonel (Risedronate).
