osteoporosis in the elderly population

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

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

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 osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• 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 osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• Actonel is in the FDA pregnancy category C osteoporosis in the elderly population. This means that it is notknown whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby osteoporosis in the elderly population. Do not take Actonel withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant duringtreatment osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• It is not known whether Actonel passes into breast milk osteoporosis in the elderly population. Do not takeActonel without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby osteoporosis in the elderly population.

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

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 osteoporosis in the elderly population. Missing one dose willnot make a difference in the treatment osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• If you take Actonel once a week and you miss a dose, take the misseddose the next morning osteoporosis in the elderly population. Do not take two tablets on the same day osteoporosis in the elderly population. Then, returnto your regular schedule, taking one tablet on the chosen morning of the week osteoporosis in the elderly population.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• 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 osteoporosis in the elderly population.

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

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 osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur osteoporosis in the elderly population. 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 osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur osteoporosis in the elderly population. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome osteoporosis in the elderly population.

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 osteoporosis in the elderly population. Any drug that is taken at the same time as Actonel can decrease the effectsof this medicine osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• 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 osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• 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 osteoporosis in the elderly population.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Actonel osteoporosis in the elderly population. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products osteoporosis in the elderly population.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about Actonel written for healthprofessionals that you may read osteoporosis in the elderly population.

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