Actonel

Active Ingredients:

• Residronate

How does Actonel work and what pharmaceutical group does it belong to?

Residronate is an inhibitor of bone resorption. It works by inhibiting osteoclasts function thus suppressing bone resorption. The drug's effect reaches the maximum level in 3 months after the initiation of the therapy and lasts for 16 months.

Which conditions are treated with Residronate?

The drug is indicated in treatment of:

• Post-menopausal osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis induced by glucocorticosteroid use in men and women

What should a patient know before using Actonel?

The Residronate should not be used in cases of:

• Renal failure
• Hypocalcemia
• Age prior to 18 years
• Severe calcium and vitamin D insufficiency

The drug should be used with caution in:

• Erosive-ulcerous gastrointestinal disorders
• Malignant tumors
• Chemotherapy
• Insufficient oral hygiene

The patients using the drug should also have a sufficient Ca2+ and vitamin D diet.

Which adverse effects may manifest when using the medication?

The side effects of Actonel include:

• Gastrointestinal tract: abdominal pain, dysphagia, belching, glossitis, esophagitis, duodenitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, liver disorders
• CNS: headache, dizziness, asthenia, fatigability, calf muscle seizures, myasthenia
• Sensory organs: acute iritis, blurred vision, ear ringing, dryness of the ey mucous membrane
• Allergic reactions
• Other: bone pain, arthralgia, bronchitis, sinusitis, chest pain, peripheral swelling, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia

It is not necessary that the side effects will manifest in an individual but the possibility still exist. For more information please consult your health care provider.

Which groups of drugs or specific preparations may interact with Residronate?

The drug is affected by the following:

• Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+ containing preparations
• NSAID's
• Chemotherapy
• Steroids

Tell your doctor about all the herbal preparations as well as prescription drugs that you are currently taking even if they are not on the list.

Important information for the patient: Actonel is supplied for individual use. Do not use it to treat other conditions not listed in the leaflet. Keep the product out of children reach. Do not reuse any disposable materials if supplied with the preparation.