What is Actonel?

Actonel is in a group of medicines called bisphosphonates (bis FOS fo nayts). It alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body. Actonel slows bone loss while increasing bone mass which may prevent bone fractures. Actonel is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in men and women.Actonel is also used to treat Paget’s disease of bone. Actonel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. ACTONEL may reverse bone loss by stopping more loss of bone and increasing bone strength in most people who take it even though they won’t be able to see or feel a
difference. ACTONEL helps lower the risk of breaking bones (fractures).
How To Take Actonel?
Take Actonel exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Actonel tablets come in different strengths (number of milligrams per pill). Some tablets are taken once each day or once each week. The stronger tablets may be taken only twice each month. Your dosing schedule will depend on the tablet strength your doctor has prescribed. If you change tablet strengths, you may also need to change your schedule.
Actonel Side Effects
Actonel has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

Safety Information

You should not take ACTONEL if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, if you have low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), have kidneys that work poorly, or cannot stand or sit upright for 30 minutes. Stop taking ACTONEL and tell your doctor if you experience difficult or painful swallowing, chest pain, or severe or continuing heartburn, as these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems. Follow dosing instructions carefully to lower the chance of these events occurring. Side effects are generally mild or moderate and may include back, muscle, bone or joint pain, stomach pain or upset, or constipation. Contact your doctor if symptoms are severe. Tell all of your healthcare providers, including your dentist, about all the medicines that you take.