Risedronate (Oral Route)

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Proper Use

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Take risedronate with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of plain water on an empty stomach. It should be taken as soon as you get out of bed in the morning at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. Food and beverages (e.g., mineral water, coffee, tea, or juice) will decrease the amount of risedronate absorbed by the body. Waiting longer than 30 minutes will allow more of the drug to be absorbed. Medicines such as antacids that contain calcium or calcium supplements also will decrease the absorption of risedronate.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not suck or chew on the tablet because it may cause throat irritation.

Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking risedronate. This will help risedronate reach your stomach faster. It also will help prevent irritation to your esophagus.

It is important that you eat a well-balanced diet with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D (found in milk or other dairy products). However, do not take any foods, beverages, or calcium supplements within 30 minutes or longer after taking the risedronate. To do so may keep this medicine from working properly.

Follow your dosing instructions given to you by your doctor closely. It may affect the way this medicine works if you do not. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you do weight-bearing exercises, smoke or drink excessively. Your doctor will need to take these into consideration in deciding your dose.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis:
    • Adults—5 milligrams (mg) daily at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For Paget's disease of the bone:
    • Adults—30 milligrams (mg) once a day for two months. Your doctor may tell you to repeat this dose.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis:
    • Adults—5 milligrams (mg) daily or 35 mg once-a-week at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water. Alternatively, you may take one 75 mg tablet per day for two consecutive days each month or 150 mg tablet once a month.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For treatment of osteoporosis in men:
    • Adults—35 milligrams (mg) once a week at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

For patients taking the medicine each day: If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine in the morning, skip the missed dose and take your medicine the next morning. Do not take two tablets on the same day. Return to your regular schedule the next day.

If you are on a weekly schedule and miss a dose of this medicine, take it the next morning after you remember. Resume your usual schedule taking the medicine on your chosen day the next week.

For patients taking the medicine on two consecutive days each month, and the next month's scheduled doses are more than 7 days away: If both tablets are missed, take the first tablet on the morning after the day it is remembered. Take the second tablet on the next morning. If only one tablet is missed, take the missed tablet on the morning after the day it is remembered. Return to your regular schedule the following month. Do not take more than two tablets within 7 days.

For patients taking the medicine on two consecutive days each month, and the next month's scheduled doses are 1 to 7 days away: Wait until the next month and take the tablets on the scheduled days. Return to your regular schedule the following month. Do not take more than two tablets within 7 days.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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