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Are there any drug interactions with Actonel?

Actonel (generic name risedronate) is an oral drug used to prevent bone loss and increase bone mass. It is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, to prevent osteoporosis due to medicines called corticosteroids, and to treat Paget's disease, a condition that causes weak or deformed bones.

Taking Actonel at the same time as calcium supplements or antacids can decrease the amount of the drug that is absorbed into the bloodstream. So you should try to take your dose of Actonel at least two hours before or after you take calcium supplements or antacids. .

Sources:
Actonel Product Information, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, April 2000.
Micromedex Healthcare Series. Micromedex, Inc., 2000.
Harris, Steven. "Effects of Risedronate Treatment on Vertebral and Nonvertebral Fractures in Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial." The Journal of the American Medical Association 282 (1999).
Hansten, P.D., J.R. Horn. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Applied Therapeutics, 2001
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This answer prepared 1/17/01.