Actonel Side Effects

Generic name: risedronate

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 25, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Actonel Side Effects associated with risedronate. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Actonel.

Applies to risedronate: oral tablet, oral tablet delayed release.

Serious side effects of Actonel

Along with its needed effects, risedronate (the active ingredient contained in Actonel) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking risedronate:

More common

• abdominal or stomach pain
• skin rash

Less common

• abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
• belching
• bone pain
• cramping of the stomach
• trouble swallowing

Rare

• red, sore eyes

Incidence not known

• bone, joint, or muscle pain, severe and occasionally incapacitating
• chest pain
• heartburn
• pain or burning in the throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
• vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking risedronate:

Symptoms of overdose

• confusion
• convulsions
• difficulty with breathing
• irregular heartbeats
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
• shortness of breath
• tremor

Other side effects of Actonel

Some side effects of risedronate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• back pain
• cough or hoarseness
• diarrhea
• fever or chills
• headache
• joint pain
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination

Less common

• acid or sour stomach
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision or change in vision
• body aches or pains
• congestion
• constipation
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with moving
• dizziness
• dry eyes
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• frequent urge to urinate
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• indigestion
• leg cramps
• muscle pain or stiffness
• nausea
• nervousness
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• pounding in the ears
• ringing in the ears
• runny nose
• slow or fast heartbeat
• stomach discomfort or upset
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• tender swollen glands in the neck
• voice changes
• weakness

Rare

• fainting
• fear
• itching skin
• loss of appetite
• pale skin
• passing of gas
• redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
• sneezing
• stomach fullness
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wheezing

Incidence not known

• eye pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• muscle pain
• redness of the eye
• sensitivity of the eye to light
• skin blisters
• tearing

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to risedronate: oral delayed release tablet, oral tablet.

General

Abdominal and musculoskeletal pain were commonly reported adverse effects.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (up to 10.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Arrhythmia (2%) in men with osteoporosis
• Frequency not reported: Syncope, vasodilation^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 12.9%), diarrhea (up to 10.8%), dyspepsia (up to 10.8%), nausea (up to 10.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal upper pain, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroenteritis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Duodenitis, glossitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Esophageal stricture
• Postmarketing reports: Esophagitis, esophageal or gastric ulcers^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (up to 11.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Nocturia (1.6%), cystitis, hemorrhoids, Hiatus hernia, urinary disorders, reproductive system and breast disorders^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 23.7%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, pain in extremity, musculoskeletal pain, bone pain, muscle spasms, myalgia, neck pain, arthritis, traumatic bone fracture, join disorder, leg cramps, myasthenia (1.6%), osteoarthritis, tendonitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Severe or incapacitating bone, join, or muscle pain; osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ); atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures (bisphosphonate class adverse reaction)
• Frequency not reported: Muscle spasms^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Accidental injury (up to 16.9%), pain (up to 14.1%), flu syndrome (up to 11.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tinnitus (1.6%), asthenia, peripheral edema, contusion, herpes zoster (1% to 2.6%), ear and labyrinth disorders, vertigo^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Bronchitis (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza, upper respiratory infection, chest pain, sinusitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, increased cough, apnea (1.6%)
• Postmarketing reports: Asthma exacerbations^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Pruritus^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), endocrine disorders^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia (1% to 2.6%), blood and lymphatic system disorders^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Colitis (1.6%), hepatobiliary disorders
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal liver function test
• Postmarketing reports: Serious hepatic disorders^[Ref]

In most of the postmarketing reported cases the patients were also treated with other products known to cause hepatic disorders.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, generalized rash, bullous skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylactic reactions^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Immune system disorders^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased weight, hypocalcemia (1.6%), transient decreases from baseline of serum calcium and phosphate, hypercholesterolemia^[Ref]

Transient decreases from baseline in serum calcium (less than 1%) and serum phosphate (less than 3%) were observed within 6 months in patients in osteoporosis clinical trials treated with doses of 5 mg daily immediate-release.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, insomnia, sciatica (0.6% to 2.3%)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Cataract; amblyopia, corneal lesion and dry eye (1.6%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Iritis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Eye inflammation including uveitis^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Benign prostatic hyperplasia (5%) in men with osteoporosis; neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (including cysts and polyps)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, psychiatric disorders^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nephrolithiasis (3%) in men with osteoporosis, renal disorders^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• What medications are available to treat osteoporosis?

Further information

Actonel side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer