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Details for: SANDOZ RISEDRONATE

Company: SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED

DIN DIN name Active Ingredient(s) Strength Dosage Form Route of Administration
02327295SANDOZ RISEDRONATERISEDRONATE SODIUM (RISEDRONATE SODIUM HEMIPENTAHYDRATE)35 MGTABLETORAL
Search Reported Side Effects Report a Side Effect

Summary Reports

Summary Safety Review - Bisphosphonates - Assessing the Potential Risk of Severe Bone Damage (osteonecrosis)
Summary Safety Review - Bisphosphonates - Assessing the Risk of Jaw Bone Loss (osteonecrosis of the jaw)

Consumer Information

This information was provided by the drug’s manufacturer when this drug product was approved for sale in Canada. It is designed for consumers and care givers. It is a summary of information about the drug and will not tell you everything about the drug. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.

What the medication is used for
  • To treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
  • To increase bone density in men with osteoporesis.

What it does

In osteoporosis, the body removes more bone than it replaces. This causes bones to get weaker and more likely to break or fracture (usually at the spine, wrist and hip). Spine fractures may result in a curved back, height loss or back pain. Sandoz Risedronate slows down bone loss which can help to reduce the risk of fractures. In many people, risedronate sodium helps to increase bone density.

It is not known how long Sandoz Risedronate should be used for treating osteoporosis. Keep talking to your doctor about whether Sandoz Risedronate is still right for you.

Sandoz Risedronate is not a pain reliever.

When it should not be used

  • You have low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia).
  • You are allergic to risedronate sodium or any of the other ingredients in Sandoz Risedronate.
What the medicinal ingredient is

Risedronate sodium (as hemi-pentahydrate)

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Crospovidone, ferric oxide yellow, ferric oxide red,, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide.

What dosage form it comes in

Tablets. Each tablet contains risedronate sodium 35 mg.

Warnings and precautions

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Sandoz Risedronate. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • Have/ had problems swallowing or have problems with your esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to your stomach)
  • Have/ had stomach or digestive problems.
  • Have/ had kidney problems
  • Cannot stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes (see How to take Sandoz Risedronate).
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Have one of the following risk factors: cancer, diabetes, chemotherapy, radiotherapy of the head or neck, lowered immune system (immunosuppression), poor oral hygiene, treatment with corticosteroids or cancer drugs such as angiogenesis inhibitors (drugs that slow down the growth of new blood vessels).
  • Had / have pain, swelling or numbness of the jaw or loosening of a tooth or any other oral symptoms.
  • have sores in the mouth. This can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Your doctor may check you if you:

  • smoke
  • have or have had teeth and/or gum disease
  • have dentures that do not fit well
  • have other relevant medical conditions at the same time, such as: low red blood cell count (called anemia) or if your blood cannot form clots in the normal way.

Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Sandoz Risedronate until all sores in your mouth are healed.

Other warnings you should know about

Your doctor should check your mouth and may ask you to see your dentist before you start taking Sandoz Risedronate. Dental work should be done before you start Sandoz Risedronate treatment. Take good care of your teeth and gums and see the dentist for regular check-ups while taking Sandoz Risedronate.

Calcium and vitamin D are also important for strong bones. Your doctor may ask you to take calcium and vitamin D while you are on Sandoz Risedronate.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medinines.

Interactions with this medication

Vitamins, mineral supplements and antacids may contain substances that can stop your body from absorbing Sandoz Risedronate. They include calcium, magnesium, aluminum and iron. These medications should be taken at a different time of day than Sandoz Risedronate. Talk to your health care provider about how and when to take these medications.

Taking Sandoz Risedronate with corticosteroids or cancer drugs may increase your chance of jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis of the jaw).

Talk to your doctor before taking pain medication like ASA or other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs because they may upset your stomach.

Proper use of this medication

As with all medications, it is important to take as directed by your doctor.

  • Take Sandoz Risedronate in the morning on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before you eat, drink or take other medicines.
  • Swallow each Sandoz Risedronate tablet whole, while you are sitting or standing in an upright position. Drink enough plain water (at least 120 mL or ½ cup) to make sure the tablet gets to your stomach. Do not chew, cut or crush the tablets.
  • Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking Sandoz Risedronate.

Usual Dose

To treat osteoporosis in women after menopause:

  • 1 tablet (35 mg) per week

To prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause:

  • 1 tablet (35 mg) per week

To increase bone density in men with osteoporesis:

  • 1 tablet (35 mg) per week

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much Sandoz Risedronate, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency room or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

For Sandoz Risedronate overdose, drink a full glass of milk. Do not make yourself vomit.

Missed Dose

If you missed your dose on your usual day, take one tablet in the morning after you remember. You can go back to your regular schedule for the next dose. If you have missed your dose by one week, do not take 2 tablets on the same day. Skip your missed dose and go back to your regular schedule.

Side effects and what to do about them

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Sandoz Risedronate. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Drugs like risedronate sodium may cause problems in your esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth and the stomach), stomach and intestines, including ulcers. If you have trouble or pain upon swallowing, heartburn, chest pain and black or bloody stools, stop taking Sandoz Risedronate and tell your doctor right away. Remember to take Sandoz Risedronate as directed.

The most common side effects reported with risedronate sodium were abdominal pain, heartburn and nausea.
Risedronate sodium may cause pain in bones, joints or muscles, rarely severe.

Patients receiving risedronate sodium or other drugs in this class have reported:

  • Rarely, non-healing jaw wounds.
  • Very rarely, unusual fractures in their thigh bone.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk to your healthcare professional Only if severe Talk to your healthcare professional In all cases Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Common
Pain in bones, joints, or muscles    
Abdominal pain    
UNCOMMON
Eye pain, redness or swelling; sensitivity to light, decreased vision    
RARE
Pain in your tongue    
Jaw bone problems (Osteonecrosis) Numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, poor healing of gums, loose teeth, exposed bone in the mouth, sores in the mouth, discharge, dry mouth, swelling gums, infections, bad breath, pain in the mouth, teeth or jaw    
VERY RARE
Allergic and skin reactions such as: hives; rash (with or without blisters); swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficult or painful swallowing; trouble breathing    
Symptoms of low levels of calcium in the blood such as numbness, tingling or muscle spasms    
New or unusual pain in the hip, groin or thigh    

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to store
  • Keep Sandoz Risedronate and all other medications out of the reach and sight of children.
  • Keep the tablets in their original package and store in a dry place at room temperature (15°C to 30°C).
  • Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

  • Talk to your healthcare professional
  • Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://healthproducts.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp); the manufacturer’s website (www.sandoz.ca), or by calling 1-800-361-3062
  • or: by written request at:
    110 Rue de Lauzon
    Boucherville, (QC), Canada
    J4B 1E6
  • or by e-mail at : medinfo@sandoz.com

This leaflet was prepared by Sandoz Canada Inc.

Last revised: August 23, 2019

Date modified: