Risedronate and Calcium Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have gastrointestinal disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Try to separate other medicines from calcium by 2 hours. Calcium prevents absorption of many medicines.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Bone, joint, or muscle pain can rarely occur.

• Jaw bone damage can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Chest pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe belly pain.

• Difficulty swallowing.

• Severe constipation.

• Severe jaw pain.

• Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.