zoledronic acid and osteoporosis

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention zoledronic acid and osteoporosis.
• 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 zoledronic acid and osteoporosis.

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

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

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

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

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