About risedronate sodium
Bisphosphonate bone-loss medicine
Used for
- Treats and prevents osteoporosis after menopause
- Treats osteoporosis in men and women
- Prevents and treats glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
- Treats Paget’s disease of bone
Usual adult dose
Osteoporosis: 5 mg once daily. Paget’s disease: 30 mg once daily for two months.
Common side effects
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea
- Muscle, joint, or bone pain
- Headache
Important warnings
- Take with plain water before food or other medicines; remain upright for 30 minutes.
- May irritate the esophagus; swallowing problems or severe chest pain need prompt assessment.
- Rarely causes jawbone problems or unusual thigh fractures, especially with prolonged treatment.
- Low blood calcium should be corrected before treatment; kidney disease may affect suitability.
Pregnancy
Not generally recommended; safety is uncertain and treatment is usually stopped if pregnancy occurs.
Breastfeeding
Unknown whether risedronate passes into breast milk; breastfeeding is generally avoided during treatment.
Interactions
- Calcium, antacids, iron, and magnesium reduce absorption; separate dosing.
- Food, coffee, and juice reduce absorption; take with plain water.
- Aspirin and NSAIDs may increase stomach irritation.
- Other medicines affecting the kidneys may require review.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.