FDA approves Actonel (risedronate sodium) for postmenopausal osteoporosis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new once-a-month dose (150 mg) of Actonel (risedronate sodium) tablets for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Actonel is approved to reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

The FDA approval of the once-a-month dose is based on a study comparing Actonel 150 mg once monthly to Actonel 5 mg daily. Similar increases in bone mineral density (BMD) were seen among patients taking either once-a-month or daily dosing regimens.

Over fifty-five million prescriptions of Actonel have been filled in the U.S. alone since its approval for osteoporosis in 2000. Those who want to learn more about postmenopausal osteoporosis and treatment with Actonel should visit: http://www.actonel.com/.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a silent disease that affects millions of women, making their bones weak and more likely to fracture over time. In fact, in the U.S. today, 8 million women are estimated to already have osteoporosis, and almost 27 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for fracture. Each year the incidence of osteoporosis-related fractures is greater than the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer combined. The good news is that there are prescription medications available that effectively reduce fractures.

Actonel is contraindicated in patients with hypocalcemia, known hypersensitivity to any component of this product, or inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes. Hypocalcemia and other disturbances of bone and mineral metabolism should be effectively treated before starting Actonel therapy. Actonel is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min).

Bisphosphonates, including Actonel, may cause upper gastrointestinal disorders such as dysphagia, esophagitis and esophageal or gastric ulcers. Actonel should be taken according to the dosing instructions to minimize the risk of these events. Patients should discontinue use if new or worsening symptoms occur.

There have been reports of severe and occasionally incapacitating bone, joint and/or muscle pain in patients taking bisphosphonates. Rare occurrences of osteonecrosis, primarily of the jaw (ONJ), have been reported in patients treated with bisphosphonates. Most cases were reported in cancer patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonates, but some have been in patients treated orally for osteoporosis. Most cases were reported in patients undergoing dental procedures such as tooth extraction.

Most common adverse reactions reported in >10% of patients treated with ACTONEL and with a higher frequency than placebo are: back pain, arthralgia, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia. Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema, generalized rash, bullous skin reactions), and eye inflammation (iritis, uveitis) have been reported rarely.

Please see full prescribing information for Actonel (risedronate sodium) tablets for additional safety information.