international osteoporosis foundation

What is the most important information I should know about Actonel?
• Although it has been reported less frequently with Actonel, other similardrugs can be very damaging to the mouth and stomach international osteoporosis foundation. Do not lie down for atleast 30 minutes after taking a dose of Actonel international osteoporosis foundation.
• Take Actonel in the morning with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of tapwater or bottled water at least 30 minutes before eating any food, drinkingany liquid (other than water), or taking any other medicines including vitamins,minerals, or other supplements international osteoporosis foundation. Do not take Actonel with mineral water, juice,or any other beverage since these beverages may decrease the effectiveness ofthe medication international osteoporosis foundation. This timing is very important in getting the maximum amountof medication from each dose international osteoporosis foundation. Foods, beverages, and other medications greatlydecrease the effect of Actonel international osteoporosis foundation.
• The 35 mg Actonel tablets should only be taken once a week, preferablyon the same day each week international osteoporosis foundation. Follow your doctor's instructions international osteoporosis foundation.

What is Actonel?
• Actonel alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body international osteoporosis foundation.
• Actonel is used to prevent and treat postmenopausal and steroid-causedbone-thinning (osteoporosis) international osteoporosis foundation. Actonel is also used to treat Paget's diseaseof bone (osteitis deformans) international osteoporosis foundation.
• Actonel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide international osteoporosis foundation.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Actonel?
• Do not take Actonel without first talking to your doctor if you
· have a problem swallowing, such as a narrowing of the esophagus;
· have esophageal ulcers or esophageal disease;
· have stomach ulcers or other stomach problems;
· have a condition that causes low levels of calcium in the body;
· have a kidney disease; or
· are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes international osteoporosis foundation.
• You may not be able to take Actonel, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove international osteoporosis foundation.
• Actonel is in the FDA pregnancy category C international osteoporosis foundation. This means that it is notknown whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby international osteoporosis foundation. Do not take Actonel withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant duringtreatment international osteoporosis foundation.
• It is not known whether Actonel passes into breast milk international osteoporosis foundation. Do not takeActonel without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby international osteoporosis foundation.

How should I take Actonel?
• Take Actonel exactly as directed by your doctor international osteoporosis foundation. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you international osteoporosis foundation.
• Take Actonel in the morning with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of tapwater or bottled water at least 30 minutes before eating any food, drinkingany liquid (other than water), or taking any other medicines including vitamins,minerals, or other supplements international osteoporosis foundation. Do not take Actonel with mineral water, juice,or any other beverage since these beverages may decrease the effectiveness ofthe medication international osteoporosis foundation. This timing is very important in getting the maximum amountof medication from each dose international osteoporosis foundation. Foods, beverages, and other medications greatlydecrease the effect of Actonel international osteoporosis foundation.
• Although it has been reported less frequently with Actonel, other similardrugs can be very damaging to the mouth and stomach international osteoporosis foundation. Do not lie down for atleast 30 minutes after taking a dose of Actonel international osteoporosis foundation.
• Do not crush, chew, or suck the pills international osteoporosis foundation. Swallow them whole international osteoporosis foundation.
• The 35 mg Actonel tablets should only be taken once a week, preferablyon the same day each week international osteoporosis foundation. Follow your doctor's instructions international osteoporosis foundation.
• It is important to maintain adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin Din the diet while taking Actonel international osteoporosis foundation. Discuss with your doctor appropriate amountsof calcium and vitamin D international osteoporosis foundation.
• Store Actonel at room temperature away from moisture and heat international osteoporosis foundation.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• If you take Actonel every day and you miss a dose, skip that dose andtake the next regularly scheduled dose the following day international osteoporosis foundation. Missing one dose willnot make a difference in the treatment international osteoporosis foundation.
• If you take Actonel once a week and you miss a dose, take the misseddose the next morning international osteoporosis foundation. Do not take two tablets on the same day international osteoporosis foundation. Then, returnto your regular schedule, taking one tablet on the chosen morning of the week international osteoporosis foundation.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention international osteoporosis foundation.
• The symptoms of a Actonel overdose are unknown, but the following symptomsmight be expected: nausea, heartburn, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, other stomach-relatedsymptoms, muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, uncontrollable facial grimacing,seizures, irritability, and abnormal behavior international osteoporosis foundation.

What should I avoid while taking Actonel?
• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while takingActonel, unless otherwise directed by your doctor international osteoporosis foundation.

What are the possible side effects of Actonel?
• Stop taking Actonel and seek emergency medical attention or contact yourdoctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· difficulty or pain when swallowing;
· pain or burning under the ribs or in the back; or
· new or worsening heartburn international osteoporosis foundation.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur international osteoporosis foundation. Continueto take Actonel and talk to your doctor if you experience
· abdominal discomfort;
· stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
· headache; or
· muscle or joint soreness or aches international osteoporosis foundation.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur international osteoporosis foundation. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome international osteoporosis foundation.

What other drugs will affect Actonel?
• Do not take any other medicine, including vitamins, minerals, or othersupplements, at the same time as Actonel unless otherwise directed by your doctor international osteoporosis foundation. Any drug that is taken at the same time as Actonel can decrease the effectsof this medicine international osteoporosis foundation.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking anyof the following medicines:
· an antacid;
· aspirin; or
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), indomethacin(Indocin, Indocin SR), naproxen (Anaprox, Aleve, Naprosyn), oxaprozin (Daypro),nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others international osteoporosis foundation.
• You may not be able to take Actonel, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above international osteoporosis foundation.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Actonel international osteoporosis foundation. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products international osteoporosis foundation.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about Actonel written for healthprofessionals that you may read international osteoporosis foundation.

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