Actonel With Calcium Warnings and Precautions

Before starting Actonel With Calcium, warnings and precautions for the drug should be reviewed. For example, you are at an increased risk of kidney stones when taking it, and you should follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions carefully. Actonel With Calcium warnings and precautions also extend to those who are allergic to any part of the drug or who cannot sit or stand upright for 30 minutes.

 

Actonel With Calcium: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Actonel® With Calcium (risedronate and calcium) if you have:
 
  • Kidney stones
  • Low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) or high blood calcium (hypercalcemia)
  • An inability to sit upright or stand for 30 minutes
  • Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Difficulty swallowing or other problems with your esophagus
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding
  • Planning to have a dental procedure.
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Actonel With Calcium Warnings and Precautions

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Actonel With Calcium include the following:
 
  • In rare cases, bisphosphonates (including Actonel, one of the components of Actonel With Calcium) have caused a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a serious, possibly disfiguring, problem in which the bone of the jaw dies. Often, there are symptoms (such as pain, infection, or loosening of the teeth), but sometimes there are no symptoms until a person notices exposed bone. This problem is most common when bisphosphonates are given by IV, but is still possible when these medications are taken orally. People who have dental procedures such as a tooth extraction also seem to be at higher risk. Be sure to take good care of your mouth and teeth by seeing your dentist frequently. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you think you may have osteonecrosis of the jaw.
     
  • The Actonel component of Actonel With Calcium, like all bisphosphonate medications, can irritate or damage the esophagus and stomach. This can lead to indigestion, heartburn, or even ulcers. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice any of these problems while taking the drug.
     
  • It is important to closely follow the instructions for taking Actonel With Calcium. Not doing so could increase your risk of side effects or may make Actonel With Calcium ineffective (see Actonel With Calcium Dosage for more information).
     
  • It is important to get enough vitamin D while you are taking the drug, either through your diet or by supplementation. Vitamin D is necessary for rebuilding bone and preventing further bone loss. Actonel With Calcium cannot work if you do not get enough vitamin D.
     
  • Calcium (the other component of Actonel With Calcium) can increase the risk of kidney stones. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking Actonel With Calcium if you have a history of kidney stones.
     
  • Actonel With Calcium may not be recommended for people with severe kidney disease.
     
  • Bisphosphonates (including Actonel With Calcium) can cause extreme muscle or bone pain. This usually goes away once the medication is stopped.
     
  • Actonel With Calcium can potentially interact with a number of medications (see Actonel With Calcium Drug Interactions).
     
  • Actonel With Calcium is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy (see Actonel and Pregnancy).
     
  • It is not known whether Actonel With Calcium passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Actonel and Breastfeeding).
     
(Actonel With Calcium Warnings and Precautions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;