Actonel Uses (Cont.)

Actonel Uses for Paget's Disease

Normally, bone is continuously being broken down and rebuilt. Paget's disease of the bone is a condition involving rapid breakdown of bone combined with abnormal reformation. The abnormally reformed bone is weaker than normal. Symptoms of Paget's disease can include pain and bent or broken bones. Bisphosphonates such as Actonel can help slow down the rate at which bone breaks down and can help the body to build bone more normally.
 
Not all people with Paget's disease need to be treated with a bisphosphonate. Actonel is recommended for people who:
 
  • Have very high alkaline phosphatase levels (a measure of the disease's severity)
  • Have symptoms of Paget's disease
  • Are at risk for future complications of Paget's disease.
 

How Does Actonel Work?

Actonel binds to certain cells in bones and slows down the rate at which they break down. Bones are constantly being broken down and rebuilt, and the effects of Actonel often result in increased bone density.
 

Actonel Uses in Children

Actonel is not approved for use in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
 

Off-Label Actonel Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Actonel for something other than the uses discussed in this article. Off-label Actonel uses include treating the following conditions:
 
  • High calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia)
  • Cancer that has spread to the bones.
     

Pages:

Previous 1 2

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;