Actonel Dosage

2.1 Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

[see Indications and Usage (1.1)]

The recommended regimen is:

• one 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily
  or
  
• one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week
  or
  
• one 75 mg tablet orally, taken on two consecutive days for a total of two tablets each month
  or
  
• one 150 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-month

2.2 Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

[see Indications and Usage (1.1)]

The recommended regimen is:

• one 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily
  or
  
• one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week
  or
  
• alternatively, one 75 mg tablet orally, taken on two consecutive days for a total of two tablets each month may be considered
  or
  
• alternatively, one 150 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-month may be considered

2.3 Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in Men with Osteoporosis

[see Indications and Usage (1.2)]

The recommended regimen is:

• one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week

2.4 Treatment and Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis

[see Indications and Usage (1.3)]

The recommended regimen is:

• one 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily

2.5 Treatment of Paget’s Disease

[see Indications and Usage (1.4)]

The recommended treatment regimen is 30 mg orally once daily for 2 months. Retreatment may be considered (following post-treatment observation of at least 2 months) if relapse occurs, or if treatment fails to normalize serum alkaline phosphatase. For retreatment, the dose and duration of therapy are the same as for initial treatment. No data are available on more than 1 course of retreatment.

2.6 Important Administration Instructions

Instruct patients to do the following:

• Take ACTONEL at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water, and before taking any oral medication or supplementation, including calcium, antacids, or vitamins to maximize absorption and clinical benefit, [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]. Avoid the use of water with supplements, including mineral water, because they may have a higher concentration of calcium.
  
• Swallow ACTONEL tablets whole with a full glass of plain water (6 to 8 ounces). Avoid lying down for 30 minutes after taking the medication [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Do not chew or suck the tablet because of a potential for oropharyngeal ulceration.
  
• Do not eat or drink anything except plain water, or take other medications for at least 30 minutes after taking ACTONEL.

2.7 Recommendations for Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation

Instruct patients to take supplemental calcium and vitamin D if their dietary intake is inadequate; and to take calcium supplements, antacids, magnesium-based supplements or laxatives, and iron preparations at a different time of the day as they interfere with the absorption of ACTONEL.

2.8 Administration Instructions for Missed Doses

Instruct patients about missing ACTONEL doses as follows:

• If a dose of ACTONEL 35 mg once-a-week is missed:
  • Take 1 tablet on the morning after they remember and return to taking 1 tablet once-a-week, as originally scheduled on their chosen day.
    
  • Do not take 2 tablets on the same day.

• If one or both tablets of ACTONEL 75 mg on two consecutive days per month are missed, and the next month’s scheduled doses are more than 7 days away:
  • If both tablets are missed, take one ACTONEL 75 mg tablet in the morning after the day it is remembered and then the other tablet on the next consecutive morning.
    
  • If only one ACTONEL 75 mg tablet is missed, take the missed tablet in the morning after the day it is remembered
    
  • Return to taking their ACTONEL 75 mg on two consecutive days per month as originally scheduled.
    
  • Do not take more than two 75 mg tablets within 7 days.

• If one or both tablets of ACTONEL 75 mg on two consecutive days per month are missed, and the next month's scheduled doses are within 7 days:
  • Wait until their next month’s scheduled doses and then continue taking ACTONEL 75 mg on two consecutive days per month as originally scheduled.

• If the dose of ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month is missed, and the next month’s scheduled dose is more than 7 days away:
  • Take the missed tablet in the morning after the day it is remembered and then return to taking their ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month as originally scheduled.
    
  • Do not take more than one 150 mg tablet within 7 days.

• If the dose of ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month is missed, and the next month's scheduled dose is within 7 days:
  • Wait until their next month’s scheduled dose and then continue taking ACTONEL 150 mg once-a-month as originally scheduled.