Risedronate oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes risedronate oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for risedronate. If you want to know more about risedronate oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Risedronate oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Actonel and Atelvia. Risedronate only comes as a tablet that you swallow, which is discussed in this article. To learn more about risedronate, talk with your doctor.

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Form and strengths of risedronate

Risedronate comes in these forms and strengths in milligrams (mg): 

Dosage of risedronate

This article describes the recommended dosages for risedronate oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of risedronate oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of risedronate in adults

There are several dosages of risedronate tablets. You should take your dosage of risedronate with 6–8 ounces (oz) of water at least 30 minutes before breakfast. You should not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking it.

Dosage for bone conditions including osteoporosis

Risedronate delayed-release tablet is used for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. It should be taken with at least 4 oz of water immediately after breakfast. The usual dosage is:

• Dose: 35 mg
• Frequency: once weekly

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Missed dose of risedronate

There are different recommendations on what to do if you miss a dose. This is based on whether you’re taking a daily, weekly, or monthly regimen.

So talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of risedronate oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of risedronate oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about risedronate oral tablet and its dosage.

How does the dosage of risedronate compare with the dosage of alendronate?

Risedronate and alendronate are both in the same group of drugs called bisphosphonates. They both come as tablets that you swallow.

For the treatment of osteoporosis, there are several different dosages of risedronate you can take. This includes a daily (5 mg), weekly (35 mg), and monthly (150 mg) option. Alendronate is only taken daily (10 mg) or weekly (70 mg). There is no monthly option.

For the prevention of osteoporosis, the dosage of both risedronate and alendronate is 5 mg daily or 35 mg weekly.

For Paget disease, the risedronate dosage is 30 mg daily for 2 months. The alendronate dosage is 40 mg daily for 6 months.

Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about the dosages of risedronate and alendronate.

Is risedronate taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe risedronate oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Keep in mind, the ideal length of time you should take risedronate has not been established. Your doctor may want you to stop the medication after 3–5 years of use if you are at low risk for fractures.

If you have questions about how long you should take risedronate oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How risedronate is taken

You’ll swallow risedronate oral tablet once per day, week, or month depending on your regimen.

For risedronate immediate-release tablet, you should take your dosage with 6–8 oz of water at least 30 minutes before breakfast. With risedronate extended-release tablet, you should take your dosage with at least 4 oz of water immediately after breakfast. With both types of tablet, you should avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking your dose.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Risedronate coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for risedronate when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of risedronate

It’s important that you do not take more risedronate oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of risedronate overdose

Overdosing on risedronate can cause low calcium and phosphorus levels in your blood. Symptoms of this include:

• muscle cramps, aches, or spasms
• tingling in your lips, fingers, or toes
• seizures 

What to do if you take too much risedronate

If you think you’ve taken too much risedronate, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for risedronate oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of risedronate oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take risedronate oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Would taking risedronate daily, weekly, or monthly increase or decrease my risk of side effects from the drug?
• Should I change how I take any of my other medications while I’m taking risedronate?
• How long does it take for risedronate to start working?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.