national 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 national osteoporosis foundation. Do not lie down for atleast 30 minutes after taking a dose of Actonel national 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 national osteoporosis foundation. Do not take Actonel with mineral water, juice,or any other beverage since these beverages may decrease the effectiveness ofthe medication national osteoporosis foundation. This timing is very important in getting the maximum amountof medication from each dose national osteoporosis foundation. Foods, beverages, and other medications greatlydecrease the effect of Actonel national osteoporosis foundation.
• The 35 mg Actonel tablets should only be taken once a week, preferablyon the same day each week national osteoporosis foundation. Follow your doctor's instructions national osteoporosis foundation.

What is Actonel?
• Actonel alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body national osteoporosis foundation.
• Actonel is used to prevent and treat postmenopausal and steroid-causedbone-thinning (osteoporosis) national osteoporosis foundation. Actonel is also used to treat Paget's diseaseof bone (osteitis deformans) national osteoporosis foundation.
• Actonel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide national 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 national 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 national osteoporosis foundation.
• Actonel is in the FDA pregnancy category C national osteoporosis foundation. This means that it is notknown whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby national osteoporosis foundation. Do not take Actonel withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant duringtreatment national osteoporosis foundation.
• It is not known whether Actonel passes into breast milk national osteoporosis foundation. Do not takeActonel without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby national osteoporosis foundation.

How should I take Actonel?
• Take Actonel exactly as directed by your doctor national osteoporosis foundation. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you national 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 national osteoporosis foundation. Do not take Actonel with mineral water, juice,or any other beverage since these beverages may decrease the effectiveness ofthe medication national osteoporosis foundation. This timing is very important in getting the maximum amountof medication from each dose national osteoporosis foundation. Foods, beverages, and other medications greatlydecrease the effect of Actonel national osteoporosis foundation.
• Although it has been reported less frequently with Actonel, other similardrugs can be very damaging to the mouth and stomach national osteoporosis foundation. Do not lie down for atleast 30 minutes after taking a dose of Actonel national osteoporosis foundation.
• Do not crush, chew, or suck the pills national osteoporosis foundation. Swallow them whole national osteoporosis foundation.
• The 35 mg Actonel tablets should only be taken once a week, preferablyon the same day each week national osteoporosis foundation. Follow your doctor's instructions national osteoporosis foundation.
• It is important to maintain adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin Din the diet while taking Actonel national osteoporosis foundation. Discuss with your doctor appropriate amountsof calcium and vitamin D national osteoporosis foundation.
• Store Actonel at room temperature away from moisture and heat national 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 national osteoporosis foundation. Missing one dose willnot make a difference in the treatment national osteoporosis foundation.
• If you take Actonel once a week and you miss a dose, take the misseddose the next morning national osteoporosis foundation. Do not take two tablets on the same day national osteoporosis foundation. Then, returnto your regular schedule, taking one tablet on the chosen morning of the week national osteoporosis foundation.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention national 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 national 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 national 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 national osteoporosis foundation.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur national 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 national osteoporosis foundation.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur national osteoporosis foundation. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome national 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 national osteoporosis foundation. Any drug that is taken at the same time as Actonel can decrease the effectsof this medicine national 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 national 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 national osteoporosis foundation.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Actonel national osteoporosis foundation. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products national osteoporosis foundation.

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

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