prolonged side effects of actonel

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention prolonged side effects of actonel.
• 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 prolonged side effects of actonel.

What should I avoid while taking Actonel?
• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while takingActonel, unless otherwise directed by your doctor prolonged side effects of actonel.

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

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

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about Actonel written for healthprofessionals that you may read prolonged side effects of actonel.

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.