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Quick facts
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 1020064
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets are bisphosphonate in a delayed-release formulation and is indicated for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (1.1) Limitations of Use Optimal duration of use has not been determined. For patients at low-risk for fracture, consider drug discontinuation after 3 to 5 years of use (1.2). 1.1 Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, risedronate sodium has been shown to reduce the incidence of vertebral fractures and a composite endpoint of nonvertebral osteoporosis-related fractures [ see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. 1.2 Important Limitations of Use The optimal duration of use has not been determined. The safety and effectiveness of risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets for the treatment of osteoporosis are based on clinical data of one year duration. All patients on bisphosphonate therapy should have the need for continued therapy re-evaluated on a periodic basis. Patients at low-risk for fracture should be considered for drug discontinuation after 3 to 5 years of use. Patients who discontinue therapy should have their risk for fracture re-evaluated periodically.
About this medicine
Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets contain a pH-sensitive enteric coating and a chelating agent (EDTA). Risedronate is a pyridinyl bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and modulates bone metabolism. Each risedronate sodium delayed-release tablet for oral administration contains the equivalent of 35 mg of risedronate sodium (amorphous). The molecular formula for risedronate sodium (amorphous) is C 7 H 10 NNaO 7 P 2. The chemical name of risedronate sodium is [1-hydroxy-2-(3-pyridinyl)ethylidene]bis[phosphonic acid] sodium salt. The chemical structure of risedronate sodium (amorphous) is the following: Molecular Weight: 305.09 Risedronate sodium is a white to off-white, amorphous powder. It is soluble in water, practically insoluble in methanol and dichloromethane. Inactive Ingredients Colloidal silicon dioxide, edetate disodium, ferric oxide yellow, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, methacrylic acid copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, polysorbate 80, sodium starch glycolate, sodium stearyl fumarate, talc, and triethyl citrate. The imprinting ink contains ferric oxide black, propylene glycol, and shellac glaze. structure 01
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Risedronate has an affinity for hydroxyapatite crystals in bone and acts as an antiresorptive agent. At the cellular level, risedronate inhibits osteoclasts. The osteoclasts adhere normally to the bone surface, but show evidence of reduced active resorption (for example, lack of ruffled border). Histomorphometry in rats, dogs, and minipigs showed that risedronate treatment reduces bone turnover (activation frequency, that is, the rate at which bone remodeling sites are activated) and bone resorption at remodeling sites.
Who should not take it
Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets contraindicated in patients with the following conditions: 1. Abnormalities of the esophagus which delay esophageal emptying such as stricture or achalasia [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] 2. Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes [ see Dosage and Administration (2), Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] 3. Hypocalcemia [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] 4. Known hypersensitivity to any component of this product. Angioedema, generalized rash, bullous skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported [ see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] • Abnormalities of the esophagus which delay esophageal emptying such as stricture or achalasia (4, 5.2) • Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes (4, 5.2) • Hypocalcemia (4, 5.3) • Known hypersensitivity to any component of this product (4, 6.2)
Warnings and cautions
• Products Containing Same Active Ingredient : Patients receiving Actonel should not be treated with risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets (5.1) • Upper Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions can occur. Instruct patients to follow dosing instructions. Discontinue use if new or worsening symptoms occur (5.2) • Hypocalcemia may worsen and must be corrected prior to use (5.3) • Osteonecrosis of the Jaw has been reported (5.4) • Severe Bone, Joint, Muscle Pain may occur. Discontinue use if severe symptoms develop (5.5, 6.2) • Atypical Femur Fractures have been reported. Patients with new thigh or groin pain should be evaluated to rule out a femoral fracture (5.6) 5.1 Drug Products with the Same Active Ingredient Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets contain the same active ingredient found in Actonel ® . A patient being treated with Actonel should not receive risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets. 5.2 Upper Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions Risedronate sodium, like other bisphosphonates administered orally, may cause local irritation of the upper gastrointestinal mucosa. Because of these possible irritant effects and a potential for worsening of the underlying disease, caution should be used when risedronate sodium is given to patients with active upper gastrointestinal problems (such as known Barrett’s esophagus, dysphagia, other esophageal diseases, gastritis, duodenitis or ulcers) [ see Contraindications (4), Adverse Reactions (6.1), Information for Patients (17) ]. Esophageal adverse experiences, such as esophagitis, esophageal ulcers and esophageal erosions, occasionally with bleeding and rarely followed by esophageal stricture or perforation, have been reported in patients receiving treatment with oral bisphosphonates. In some cases, these have been severe and required hospitalization. Physicians should therefore be alert to any signs or symptoms signaling a possible esophageal reaction and patients should be instructed to discontinue risedronate sodium and seek medical attention if they develop dysphagia, odynophagia, retrosternal pain or new or worsening heartburn. […]
Reported side effects
Most common adverse reactions (greater than 5%) include: diarrhea, influenza, arthralgia, back pain, and abdominal pain (6.1) Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema, generalized rash, bullous skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis), and eye inflammation (iritis, uveitis) have been reported rarely (6.2) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. at 1-800-818-4555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Once-a-Week Dosing with Risedronate Sodium Delayed-Release tablets The safety of risedronate sodium delayed-release 35 mg once-a-week in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was assessed in a 1-year, double-blind, multicenter study comparing risedronate sodium delayed-release 35 mg once-a-week to risedronate sodium immediate-release 5 mg daily in postmenopausal women 50 years of age or older. Risedronate sodium delayed-release was administered either at least 30 minutes before (N = 308) or immediately following (N = 307) breakfast, and risedronate sodium immediate-release 5 mg daily (N = 307) was administered at least 30 minutes before breakfast. Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease and concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and H 2 antagonists were included in this clinical trial. All women received daily supplementation with 1000 mg of elemental calcium plus 800 to 1000 international units vitamin D. As treatment with risedronate sodium resulted in a significantly higher incidence of abdominal pain when administered before breakfast under fasting conditions, safety results that follow refer only to risedronate sodium delayed-release 35 mg once-a-week immediately following breakfast and risedronate sodium immediate-release 5 mg daily. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Risedronate is not metabolized and does not induce or inhibit hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes (for example, Cytochrome P450). Calcium supplements, antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H 2 blockers, magnesium-based supplements or laxatives, and iron preparations interfere with the absorption of risedronate sodium (7.1, 7.2) 7.1 Calcium Supplements/Antacids When risedronate sodium was administered following breakfast, the co-administration of a tablet containing 600 mg of elemental calcium and 400 international units vitamin D reduced risedronate bioavailability by approximately 38% [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Calcium supplements, antacids, magnesium-based supplements or laxatives, and iron preparations interfere with the absorption of risedronate sodium and should not be taken together. 7.2 Histamine 2 (H 2 ) Blockers and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Drugs that raise stomach pH (for example, PPIs or H 2 blockers) may cause faster drug release from enteric coated (delayed-release) drug products such as risedronate sodium. Co-administration of risedronate sodium with the PPI, esomeprazole, increased risedronate bioavailability. The maximum plasma concentration (C max ) and the area under the plasma concentration (AUC) were increased by 60 percent and 22 percent, respectively. Concomitant administration of risedronate sodium and H 2 blockers or PPIs is not recommended. 7.3 Hormone Therapy Concomitant use of risedronate sodium with estrogens and estrogen agonist/antagonists has not been studied. 7.4 Aspirin/Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs In the Phase 3 study comparing risedronate sodium 35 mg once-a-week immediately following breakfast and risedronate sodium 5 mg daily, 18% of NSAID users (any use) in both groups developed upper gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Among non-users, 13% of patients taking risedronate sodium 35 mg once-a-week immediately following breakfast developed upper gastrointestinal adverse reactions, compared to 12% taking risedronate sodium 5 mg daily.
Use in specific groups
• Pregnancy: Discontinue when pregnancy is recognized (8.1) • Risedronate sodium is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min) (5.6, 8.6, 12.3) • Risedronate sodium is not indicated for use in pediatric patients (8.4) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data on use of risedronate sodium in pregnant women are insufficient to inform drug-associated risk of adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Discontinue risedronate sodium when pregnancy is recognized. In animal reproduction studies, daily oral administration of risedronate to pregnant rats during organogenesis decreased neonatal survival and body weight at doses approximately 5 and 26 times, respectively, the highest recommended human daily dose of 30 mg (based on body surface area, mg/m 2 ), the dose indicated for treatment of Paget’s disease. A low incidence of cleft palate was observed in fetuses of dams treated at doses approximately equal to the 30 mg human daily dose. Delayed skeletal ossification was observed in fetuses of dams treated at approximately 2.5 to 5 times the 30 mg human daily dose. Periparturient mortality due to maternal hypocalcemia occurred in dams and neonates upon daily oral administration of risedronate to pregnant rats during mating and/or gestation starting at doses equivalent to the 30 mg daily human dose. Bisphosphonates are incorporated into the bone matrix, from which they are gradually released over a period of weeks to years. The amount of bisphosphonate incorporated into adult bone available for release into the systemic circulation is directly related to the dose and duration of bisphosphonate use. Consequently, based on mechanism of action of bisphosphonates, there is a potential risk of fetal harm, predominantly skeletal, if a woman becomes pregnant after completing a course of bisphosphonate therapy. The impact of variables such as time between cessation of bisphosphonate therapy to conception, the particular bisphosphonate used, and the route of administration (intravenous versus oral) on this risk has not been studied. […]
If too much is taken
Decreases in serum calcium and phosphorus following substantial overdose may be expected in some patients. Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia may also occur in some of these patients. While milk or antacids containing calcium may be given to bind risedronate sodium immediate-release and reduce absorption of the drug, the impact of this intervention for risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets has not been evaluated. In cases of substantial overdose, gastric lavage may be considered to remove unabsorbed drug. Standard procedures that are effective for treating hypocalcemia, including the administration of calcium intravenously, would be expected to restore physiologic amounts of ionized calcium and to relieve signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia. Lethality after single oral doses of risedronate was seen in female rats at 903 mg/kg and male rats at 1703 mg/kg. The minimum lethal dose in mice and rabbits was 4000 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. These values represent 320 to 620 times the human Paget’s disease dose of 30 mg/day based on surface area (mg/m 2 ).
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 9 September 2020. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.