What is calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Risedronate is in the group of medicines called bisphosphonates (bis FOS fo nayts). It alters
the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body. Risedronate slows bone loss while increasing
bone mass, which may prevent bone fractures.
Calcium is a mineral that is needed for many functions of the body, especially bone formation
and maintenance.
Risedronate is used to treat or prevent postmenopausal and steroid-induced osteoporosis.
Risedronate is also used to treat Paget's disease of bone.
Calcium carbonate is used to prevent and to treat calcium deficiencies.
Calcium carbonate and risedronate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Do not take a risedronate tablet if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes.
Risedronate can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus (the tube that connects your
mouth and stomach). You will need to stay upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
Some people using medicines similar to risedronate have developed bone
loss in the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain,
swelling, numbness, loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the
gums.
You may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been
treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of
the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and dental surgery or
pre-existing dental problems.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether calcium carbonate and risedronate is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Take calcium carbonate and risedronate exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the
medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Actonel with Calcium
is packaged as two separate medicines: 4 risedronate
tablets and 24 calcium tablets. Take a risedronate tablet one day per week, first thing in the morning, at
least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything or take any other medicine. Take a calcium tablet
with food every day for the 6 days in between your risedronate doses.
Only the calcium tablet should be taken with food. Risedronate must be
taken on an empty stomach.
Take the risedronate tablet first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink
anything or take any other medicine. Take the risedronate tablet on the same day each week and
always first thing in the morning.
Take the risedronate tablet with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water. Use only plain water
(not mineral water) when taking a risedronate tablet.
Do not crush, chew, or suck the risedronate tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
After taking a risedronate tablet, carefully follow these instructions:
-
Do not lie down or recline for at least 30 minutes.
-
Do not eat or drink anything other than plain water.
-
Do not take any other medicines including vitamins,
calcium, or antacids for at least 30 minutes. It may be best to take your other medicines at a
different time of the day. Talk with your doctor about the best dosing schedule for your other
medicines.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your bone mineral
density will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Calcium carbonate and risedronate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may
also include diet changes, exercise, and taking vitamin supplements. Follow your diet, medication, and
exercise routines very closely.
Take only the amount of calcium that your doctor recommends. Do not use other calcium
supplements unless your doctor has told you to.
Store calcium carbonate and risedronate tablets at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of calcium carbonate and risedronate?
If you forget to take a risedronate tablet:
If you forget to take this
medicine first thing in the morning, do not take it later in the day. Wait until the following morning to
take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take two (2) tablets in one day.
If you forget to take a calcium carbonate tablet:
Take the missed dose as
soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the
medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up
the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Your pharmacist has information about calcium carbonate and risedronate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using calcium carbonate and risedronate and call your doctor at once if you have any
of these serious side effects:
-
chest pain;
-
difficulty or pain when swallowing;
-
pain or burning under the ribs or in the back;
-
new or worsening heartburn;
-
severe joint, bone, or muscle pain; or
-
jaw pain, numbness, or swelling.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild heartburn, nausea, or stomach upset;
-
diarrhea, gas, or constipation;
-
muscle, joint, or back pain;
-
pain or burning with urination;
-
mild skin rash; or
-
headache or depressed mood.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Actonel with Calcium
is packaged as two separate medicines: 4 risedronate
tablets and 24 calcium tablets. Take a risedronate tablet one day per week, first thing in the morning, at
least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything or take any other medicine. Take a calcium tablet
with food every day for the 6 days in between your risedronate doses.
Only the calcium
tablet should be taken with food. Risedronate must be taken on an empty stomach.
Do not take a risedronate tablet if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 30 minutes.
Risedronate can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus (the tube that connects your
mouth and stomach). You will need to stay upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass (6 to 8 ounces) of water. Use only plain water (not mineral
water) when taking a risedronate tablet.
For at least the first 30 minutes after taking a risedronate tablet, do not lie down or recline, do
not eat or drink anything other than plain water, and do not take any other medicines including vitamins,
calcium, or antacids.
Some people using medicines similar to risedronate have developed bone loss in the jaw, also
called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Symptoms of this condition may include jaw pain, swelling, numbness,
loose teeth, gum infection, or slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums. You may be more
likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy,
radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting
disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and a pre-existing dental problem.
Calcium carbonate and risedronate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may
also include diet changes, exercise, and taking vitamin supplements. Follow your diet, medication, and
exercise routines very closely.
Take only the amount of calcium that your doctor recommends. Do not use other calcium
supplements unless your doctor has told you to.
What should I avoid while taking calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Do not take any other medicines including vitamins, calcium, or antacids for at least 30
minutes after taking a risedronate tablet.
Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after you take a risedronate tablet.
Do not take an iron supplement at the same time you take a calcium tablet. Take these
minerals at separate times of the day.
What other drugs will affect calcium carbonate and risedronate?
Antacids, supplements, or medicines that contain aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or other
minerals can interfere with how your body absorbs risedronate. If you use these other medicines, do
not that take them for at least 30 minutes after taking a risedronate tablet.
Before using calcium carbonate and risedronate, tell your doctor if you use any of the following
drugs:
-
levothyroxine (Synthroid);
-
diuretics (water pills);
-
steroids (prednisone and others);
-
an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), doxycycline
(Doryx, Vibramycin), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), minocycline (Minocin),
moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), tetracycline (Sumycin,
Achromycin, Robitet), and others; or
-
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil), indomethacin, ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), naproxen (Aleve,
Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
There may be other drugs that can affect calcium carbonate and risedronate.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new
medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of calcium carbonate and risedronate?