If you have osteoporosis or Paget’s disease of bone, your doctor might suggest Actonel as a treatment option.

A prescription drug used to be:

  • treat and prevent osteoporosis in female adults* who’ve gone through menopause
  • Increase bone mass in males with osteoporosis.
  • treat and prevent osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid drugs in adults
  • “Paget’s disease of bone can be treated in adults.”

The active ingredient in Actonel is risedronate. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. You can swallow a tablet called Actonel. It belongs to a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates.

This article describes the dosages of Actonel, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Actonel, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Actonel’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when taking Actonel, always follow the dosing instructions that your doctor prescribes.

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The section covers the common dosage information. Your doctor will give you a specific schedule for your treatment.

What is the form of Actonel?

You can swallow a tablet called Actonel.

What strengths does Actonel come in?

The five strengths of Actonel are:

  • 5 grams.
  • 30 tablets.
  • 35 tablets.
  • 75 percent.
  • 150 tablets.

What are the usual dosages of Actonel?

The doctor will prescribe the correct amount of Actonel for you.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Note: Actonel is prescribed for adults only. It’s not used in children.

Dosage for preventing or treating osteoporosis in females after menopause

There are several Actonel dosage options for osteoporosis prevention or treatment in females* who have gone through menopause. These dosage options, which are listed below, range from daily to monthly dosages:

  • One 5-mg tablet is taken.
  • One 35-mg tablet taken once a week.
  • Two tablets per month are taken on two consecutive days.
  • One 150-mg tablet is taken once a month.

The amount of the medication you take may be decided by personal preference. If you have insurance, you might only be able to cover certain dosages. Your doctor will discuss the best option for you.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Dosage for preventing or treating osteoporosis due to glucocorticoid use

The Actonel dosage for preventing or treating osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid drugs is One 5-mg tablet is taken..

Dosage for treating osteoporosis in males

For treating osteoporosis in males,* Actonel’s dosage is One 35-mg tablet taken once a week..

* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Dosage for Paget’s disease of bone

The Actonel dose for Paget’s disease of bone is one 30-mg tablet taken once per day for 2 months.

Is Actonel used long term?

It is used to prevent or treat osteoporosis. If you and your doctor determine that Actonel is safe and effective for your condition, you will likely take it for a long time.

“If you are taking the drug to treat Paget’s disease of bone, you will take it for 2 months.”

The amount of Actonel you are prescribed may be affected by a number of factors. These include:

  • The type and severity of the condition you are treating.
  • Your age.
  • Other conditions may be present.

Note: If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor will likely not prescribe Actonel for your condition. They can discuss other treatment options with you.

You will swallow the tablets. Follow these instructions to help the drug work properly.

  1. After you wake up, take Actonel with no food in your stomach.
  2. The tablets can be swallowed with a full glass of water. Do not take it with other beverages.
  3. Wait 30 minutes before doing any of the following:
    • Lying down.
    • Eating or drinking anything other than water.
    • Taking any drugs or supplements.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, these tips may help. Your doctor or pharmacist may also have suggestions for making Actonel easier to take. And they can discuss with you the instructions above if you have questions.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Actonel, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

“If you can’t read the prescription label on your medication, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies have labels for medication.”

  • Large print or use of blind.
  • You can use a code on a phone to change the text to sound.

If your current pharmacy does not offer accessibility features, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening bottles. They may be able to suggest a form of Actonel that is easier to open and pack in a blister pack. They may have tips to make it easier to open the drug container.

If you miss a dose, you can take it later on. The manufacturer has a recommendation on when to take a missed dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you want to learn more about missed doses and adjusting your schedule.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Actonel on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

5 mg or 30 tablets. once per day

If you forget to take your daily dose in the morning, you should not take it later in the day. If you missed the dose, skip it and come back to your usual schedule the next morning. If you double up on the doses, you will miss the missed dose.

35 tablets. once per week

If you forget to take your dose, take it the morning after you remember. You should take your next dose on the day it is usually scheduled. If you double up on the doses, you will miss the missed dose.

75 percent. twice per month

If your dosage is 75 percent. of Actonel twice per month, and you forget to take the drug, when to take it depends on:

  • Whether you missed one or both.
  • How long has it been since you remembered the missed dose?

If you need to resume your Actonel schedule, contact your doctor.

150 tablets. once per month

If you forget to take your monthly dose of Actonel, you should take it the morning after you remember. You should take your next dose on the day it is usually scheduled.

If you forget your dose within 7 days of the next one, you should wait to take it.

If you double up on the doses, you will miss the missed dose.

Do not take more Actonel than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects. Taking too much Actonel can cause your blood levels of calcium and phosphorus to decrease.

Symptoms of overdose

There are symptoms of decreased levels of calcium and phosphorus.

What to do in case you take too much Actonel

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Actonel. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

“The dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer are described in the sections above. If your doctor recommends it, they will prescribe the correct amount of the drug.”

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Actonel without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Actonel exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

  • Will my dose of Actonel change if I take other drugs with it?
  • Will I have different side effects if I switch to a weekly dose of the drug?
  • “Will my dose of the drug change if it isn’t working for me?”

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.