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Risedronate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 7, 2024.

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

Serious side effects of risedronate

Along with its needed effects, risedronate 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 side effects

  • abdominal or stomach pain
  • skin rash

Less common side effects

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

Rare side effects

  • 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

Other side effects of risedronate

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 side effects

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

Less common side effects

  • 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 side effects

  • 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 adverse events

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

Cardiovascular

Gastrointestinal

Genitourinary

Musculoskeletal

Other

Respiratory

Dermatologic

Endocrine

Hematologic

Hepatic

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

Hypersensitivity

Immunologic

Metabolic

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

Ocular

Oncologic

Psychiatric

Renal

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Actonel (risedronate)." Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals

2. Delmas PD, Balena R, Confravreux E, Hardouin C, Hardy P, Bremond A (1997) "Bisphosphonate risedronate prevents bone loss in women with artificial menopause due to chemotherapy of breast cancer: a double blind, placebo-controlled study." J Clin Oncol, 15, p. 955-62

3. Lourwood DL (1998) "The pharmacology and therapeutic utility of bisphosphonates." Pharmacotherapy, 18, p. 779-89

4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

6. Reginster JY, Colson F, Morlock G, Combe B, Ethgen D, Geusens P (1992) "Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of oral tiludronate in Paget's disease of bone. A double-blind, multiple-dosage, placebo-controlled study [published erratum appears in Arthritis Rheum 199 Jan;36(1):134]." Arthritis Rheum, 35, p. 967-74

7. Taggart H, Bolognese MA, Lindsay R, et al. (2002) "Upper gastrointestinal tract safety of risedronate: a pooled analysis of 9 clinical trials." Mayo Clin Proc, 77, p. 262-70

Further information

Risedronate 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.