Risedronate Sodium 35 Mg Film-Coated Tablets
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Risedronate sodium 35 mg film-coated tablets
Risedronate sodium
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If you get any side, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
- The full name of the product is Risedronate sodium 35 mg film-coated tablets but within the leaflet it will be referred to as Risedronate sodium tablets.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Risedronate sodium tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Risedronate sodium tablets
3. How to take Risedronate sodium tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Risedronate sodium tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Risedronate sodium tablets are and what they are used for What Risedronate sodium tablets are
Risedronate sodium tablets belong to a group of non-hormonal medicines called bisphosphonates which are used to treat bone diseases. It works directly on your bones to make them stronger and therefore less likely to break.
Bone is a living tissue. Old bone is constantly removed from your skeleton and replaced with new bone.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a condition occurring in women after the menopause where the bones become weaker, more fragile and more likely to break after a fall or strain. Osteoporosis can also occur in men due to a number of causes including ageing and/or a low level of the male hormone, testosterone.
The spine, hip and wrist are the most likely bones to break, although this can happen to any bone in your body. Osteoporosis -related fractures can also cause back pain, height loss and a curved back. Many patients with osteoporosis have no symptoms and you may not even have known that you had it.
What Risedronate sodium tablets are used for
The treatment of osteoporosis
• in postmenopausal women, even if osteoporosis is severe. It reduces the risk of spinal and hip fractures.
• in men.
2. What you need to know before you take Risedronate sodium tablets Do not take Risedronate sodium tablets
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to risedronate sodium or any of the other ingredients of Risedronate sodium tablets (see section 6, “What Risedronate sodium tablets contain”)
- if your doctor has told you that you have a condition called hypocalcaemia (a low blood calcium level)
- if you may be pregnant, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you are breast-feeding
if you have severe kidney problems.
Warnings and precautions
- if you are unable to stay in an upright position (sitting or standing) for at least 30 minutes.
- if you have abnormal bone and mineral metabolism (for example lack of vitamin D, parathyroid
hormone abnormalities, both leading to a low blood calcium level).
- if you have had problems in the past with your oesophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach). For instance you may have had pain or difficulty in swallowing food or you have previously been told that you have Barrett's oesophagus (a condition associated with changes in the cells that line the lower oesophagus).
- if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars (such as lactose).
- if you have had or have pain, swelling or numbness of the jaw or a “heavy jaw feeling” or loosening of a
tooth.
- if you are under dental treatment or will undergo dental surgery, tell your dentist that you are being treated with Risedronate sodium tablets.
Your doctor will advise you on what to do when taking Risedronate sodium tablets if any of the above applies to you.
Children and adolescents
Risedronate sodium tablets are not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy.
Other medicines and Risedronate sodium tablets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Medicinal products containing one of the following lessen the effect of Risedronate sodium tablets if taken at the same time:
- calcium
- magnesium
- aluminium (for example some indigestion mixtures)
- iron
Take these medicines at least 30 minutes after your Risedronate sodium tablet.
Risedronate sodium tablets with food and drink
It is very important that you do NOT take your Risedronate sodium tablet with food or drinks (other than plain water) so that it can work properly. In particular do not take this medicine at the same time as dairy products (such as milk) as they contain calcium (see section 2, “Other medicines and Risedronate sodium tablets”).
Take food and drinks (other than plain water) at least 30 minutes after your Risedronate sodium tablet. Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Do not take Risedronate sodium tablets if you may be pregnant, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant (see section 2, “Do not take Risedronate sodium tablets”). The potential risk associated with the use of Risedronate sodium tablets in pregnant women is unknown.
Do not take Risedronate sodium tablets if you are breast-feeding (see section 2, “Do not take Risedronate sodium tablets”).
Risedronate sodium tablets should only be used to treat postmenopausal women and men.
Driving and using machines
Risedronate sodium tablets are not known to affect your ability to drive and use machines.
Risedronate sodium tablets contain lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Risedronate sodium tablets
Dosage
Always take Risedronate sodium tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Usual dose:
Take one Risedronate sodium tablet (35 mg of risedronate sodium) once a week. Choose one day of the week that best fits your schedule. Every week, take the Risedronate sodium tablet on your chosen day.
For your convenience, so that you take your tablet on the right day every week, there are printed boxes/spaces on the carton. Please mark the day of the week you have chosen to take your Risedronate sodium tablet.
When to take the Risedronate sodium tablet
Take your Risedronate sodium tablet at least 30 minutes before the first food, drink (other than plain water) or other medicine of the day.
How to take the Risedronate sodium tablet
• Take the tablet whilst you are in an upright position (you may sit or stand) to avoid heartburn.
• Swallow it with at least one glass (120 ml) of plain water.
• Swallow it whole. Do not suck or chew it.
• Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking your tablet.
Your doctor will tell you if you need calcium and vitamin supplements, if you are not getting enough from your diet.
If you take more Risedronate sodium tablets than you should
If you or somebody else has accidentally taken more Risedronate sodium tablets than prescribed, drink one full glass of milk and seek medical attention.
If you forget to take Risedronate sodium tablets
If you have forgotten to take your tablet on your chosen day, take it on the day you remember.
Return to taking one tablet once a week on the day the tablet is normally taken.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Risedronate sodium tablets
If you stop treatment you may begin to lose bone mass. Please talk to your doctor before you consider stopping treatment.
If you have any further questions on the use of thismedicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Unusual fracture of the thigh bone particularly in patients on long-term treatment for osteoporosis may occur rarely. Contact your doctor if you experience pain, weakness or discomfort in your thigh, hip or groin as this may be an early indication of a possible fracture of the thigh bone.
Stop taking Risedronate sodium tablets and contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the
following:
• Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as:
o Swelling of the face, tongue or throat o Difficulties in swallowing
o Hives and difficulties in breathing
• Severe skin reactions that can include blistering of the skin.
Tell your doctor promptly if you experience the following side effects:
• Eye inflammation, usually with pain, redness and light sensitivity.
• Bone necrosis of the jaw (osteonecrosis) associated with delayed healing and infection, often following tooth extraction (see section 2, “Warnings and precautions”).
• Symptoms from oesophagus such as pain when you swallow, difficulties in swallowing, chest pain or new or worsened heartburn.
However in clinical studies the other side effects that were observed were usually mild and did not cause the patient to stop taking their tablets.
Common side effects: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
• Indigestion, feeling sick, stomach ache, stomach cramps or discomfort, constipation, feelings of fullness, bloating, diarrhoea.
• Pain in your bones, muscles or joints.
• Headache.
Uncommon side effects: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
• Inflammation or ulcer of the oesophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach) causing difficulty and pain in swallowing (see also section 2, “Warnings and precautions”), inflammation of the stomach and duodenum (bowel draining the stomach).
• Inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (iris) (red painful eyes with a possible change in vision).
Rare side effects: may affect up to 1 in 1000 people
• Inflammation of the tongue (red swollen, possibly painful), narrowing of the oesophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach).
• Abnormal liver tests have been reported. These can only be diagnosed from a blood test.
During postmarketing experience, the following side effects have been reported (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
• Hair loss.
• Liver disorders, some cases were severe.
• Inflammation of small blood vessels mainly affecting the skin (leukocytoclastic vasculitis).
Rarely, at the beginning of treatment, a patient’s blood calcium and phosphate levels may fall. These changes are usually small and cause no symptoms.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below).
Yellow Card Scheme
Tel: Freephone 0808 100 3352
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Risedronate sodium tablets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use Risedronate sodium tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the label, carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information What Risedronate sodium tablets contain
• The active substance is risedronate sodium (amorphous). Each tablet contains 35 mg risedronate sodium, equivalent to 32.48 mg risedronic acid.
• The other ingredients are: magnesium stearate, crospovidone, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose (E464), colloidal anhydrous silica, hydroxypropylcellulose (E463), macrogol 400, macrogol 8000, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide yellow (E172), iron oxide red (E172)
What Risedronate tablets look like and contents of the pack
Risedronate sodium 35 mg Film-coated tablet is Orange 9.0 mm round, biconvex, film-coated tablet .
Pack sizes:
Blister packs: 2, 4, 8 and 12 film-coated tablets.
Tablet containers: 40 and 50 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Aptil Pharma Limited 9th Floor, CP House 97-107 Uxbridge Road Ealing, London W5 5TL
Manufacturer
Actavis hf.
Reykjavikurvegur 76-78 IS-220 Hafnarfjordur Iceland
This leaflet was last revised in 05/2013.
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