Risedronate Sodium 35 Mg Film-Coated Tablets
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Risedronate sodium 35 mg film-coated tablets
Risedronate sodium
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
- 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. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Risedronate sodium is and what it is used for
2. Before you take Risedronate sodium
3. How to take Risedronate sodium
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Risedronate sodium
6. Further information
1. WHAT RISEDRONATE SODIUM IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR What Risedronate sodium is
Risedronate sodium belongs 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 is used for
Risedronate sodium is used to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause and in this way reduces the risk of spinal and hip fractures.
Risedronate sodium is used for treatment of osteporosis in men with high risk of fractures.
2. BEFORE YOU TAKE RISEDRONATE SODIUM Do not take Risedronate sodium
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to risedronate sodium or any of the other ingredients of Risedronate sodium (see section 6 ”What Risedronate sodium contains”).
- 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.
Take special care with Risedronate Sodium
- if you are unable to sit or stand upright for at least 30 minutes.
- if you have abnormal bone or mineral metabolism (for example vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone abnormalities) which can lead to a low blood calcium level.
- if you had problems in the past with your oesophagus (the tube that takes food from your mouth to 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 had pain or swelling in your gums and/or jaw, numbed jaw, if your jaw fells heavy or if you have lost a tooth.
- if you are under dental treatment or have to undergo dental surgery, tell your dentist that you are taking Risedronate sodium.
If any of the above situations apply to you, please talk to your doctor before you take this medicine Children
Risendronate sodium is not recommended for use in children below age 18 due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Medicinal products which contain one or more of the below mentioned minerals reduce the effect of Risedronate sodium if they are taken at the same time:
• calcium
• magnesium
• aluminium
• iron
These medicinal products should be taken at least 30 minutes after taking Risedronate sodium. Risedronate sodium 35 mg may be used together with oestrogen supplementation (in women). Taking Risedronate sodium 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). It is especially important that this medicinal product is not taken at the same time as dairy produce (such as milk) because they contain calcium (see section 2 “Taking other medicines”).
Food, drinks (except water) and other medicinal products should NOT be consumed for at least 30 minutes after taking Risedronate sodium.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Do not take Risedronate Bluefish if you may be pregnant, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant (see section 2 “Do not take Risedronate Bluefish”). The potential risk associated with the use of risedronate sodium (active substance in Risedronate Bluefish) in pregnant women is unknown.
Do not take Risedronate sodium if you are breast feeding (see section 2 “Do not take Risedronate sodium”).
In women, Risedronate sodium should only be used after the menopause.
Driving and using machines
Risedronate sodium is not known to affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Risedronate sodium
Risedronate sodium contains a small amount of lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolorance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. HOW TO TAKE RISEDRONATE SODIUM
Always take Risedronate sodium exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The usual dose is one Risedronate sodium (35 mg risedronate sodium) once a week.
Choose one day of the week that fits you the best. Take one Risedronate sodium tablet every week on this weekday.
There are boxes/spaces on the carton. Please mark the day of the week you have chosen to take your Risedronate sodium tablet. Also write in the dates you will take the tablet.
When to take your Risedronate sodium tablet:
Take your Risedronate tablet at least 30 minutes before the first food, drink (other than plain water) or other medicine of the day.
How to take your Risedronate sodium tablet:
• Take the tablet whilst you are in an upright position (you may sit or stand). This prevents heatburn (burning feeling in the throat).
• Swallow the tablet with at least a glass (120 ml) of plain water. It is very important that you do NOT take your Risedronate sodium with food or drinks (other than plain water) so it can work properly.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not suck or chew the tablet.
• Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the tablet.
Your doctor will tell you if you need to take extra calcium and D-vitamin. It can be necessary if you do not get enough from your daily diet.
If you take more Risedronate sodium than you should
If you or somebody else has accidentally taken a large number of tablets, drink a full glass of milk and seek medical attention. Overdose causes a decrease in the levels of calcium in your body, the symptoms of which include sudden, painful, involuntary contractions usually involving the muscles of the abdomen.
If you forget to take Risedronate sodium
If you have forgotten to take your tablet, just take your tablet on the day you remember. Return to taking one tablet once a week, as originally scheduled on your chosen day.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet (if you have forgotten to take a tablet for a week or more).
If you stop taking Risedronate sodium
Osteporosis therapy is usually required for long periods. Please talk to your doctor before you consider stopping treatment. Stopping treatment will result in no beneficial effects of your therapy, and you may begin to loose bone strength again.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask you doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Risedronate sodium can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking Risedronate sodium and contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the
following:
• Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction such as:
• Swelling of face, tongue or throat
• Difficulties in swallowing
• 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, “Take special care and talk to your doctor before you start taking Risedronate sodium”).
• Symptoms from oesophagus such as pain when you swallow, difficulties in swallowing, chest pain or new or worsened heartburn.
Other side effects were observed were usually mild and did not cause the patients to stop taking their tablets:
Common side effects (less than 1 in 10 but more than 1 in 100 patients):
Constipation, feeling sick (dyspepsia), indigestion, stomach ache, stomach cramps or discomfort, bloating.
Pain in your bones, muscles or joints.
Headache.
Uncommon side effects (less than 1 in 100 but more than 1 in 1,000 patients):
Inflammation or ulcer of the oesophagus (the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach) causing difficulty and pain in swallowing. Inflammation or ulcer of the stomach and the duodenum (bowel draining the stomach).
Inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (iris) (red painful eyes with possible change in vision). Rare side effects (less than 1 in 1,000 patients):
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.
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.
Unknown frequency:
Osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue) in the jaw. Allergic reactions such as urticaria (skin rash), swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or neck, difficulty in swallowing or breathing. Servere skin reactions including vesiculation (blistering) under the skin. Eye inflammation.
During post-marketing experience, the following have been reported (unknown frequency);
• Hair loss
• Liver disorders, some cases were severe
• Small blood vessel inflammation and destruction
In rare cases the patients calcium and phosphate levels can be reduced in the beginning of the treatment. These changes are most often minor and does not give any symptoms.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. HOW TO STORE RISEDRONATE SODIUM
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not use Risedronate sodium after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION What Risedronate sodium contains
- The active substance is Risedronate sodium. Each tablet contains 35 mg risedronate sodium, equivalent to 32.5 mg risedronic acid.
- The other ingredients are:
Tablet core: Starch, pregelatinised (maize); Cellulose, microcrystalline; Crospovidone; Magnesium stearate.
Film coating: Hypromellose, Lactose monohydrate, Titanium dioxide (E171), Macrogol 4000. What Risedronate sodium looks like and contents of the pack
Risedronate sodium are white round biconvex film-coated tablets with diameter of 11.2 mm, 5.0 mm in thickness and embossed with “35” on one the side.
Risedronate sodium is available in Opaque PVC/PE/PVDC/Aluminium blisters of 4 & 12 tablets Not all packsizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Bluefish Pharmaceuticals AB Torsgatan 11 111 23 Stockholm Sweden
Medical information
For UK residents only: if you have any questions or would like more information, call our Medical Information Department on 0808 178 9241
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
|
Name of the Member State |
Name of the medicinal product |
|
Austria |
Risedronat Bluefish 35 mg einmal wochentlich Filmtabletten |
|
Finland |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg Kalvopaallysteista tablettia |
|
France |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg comprime pellicule |
|
Germany |
Risedronat Bluefish 35 mg einmal wochentlich Filmtabletten |
|
Hungary |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg Filmtabletta |
|
Ireland |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg film-coated once a week tablets |
|
Italy |
Risedronato Bluefish 35 mg Compresse rivestite con film |
|
Netherland |
Risedronaatnatrium Bluefish wekelijks, 35 mg Filmomhulde tabletten |
|
Portugal |
Risedronato de sodio Bluefish |
|
Romania |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg comprimate filmate |
|
Slovakia |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg filmom obalene Tablety |
|
Spain |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg Comprimidos recubiertos con pelicula EFG |
|
Sweden (RMS) |
Risedronate Bluefish 35 mg Filmdragerade tabletter |
|
United Kingdom |
Risedronate sodium 35 mg film-coated tablets |