Actonel Combi D Description

Actonel Combi D may be prescribed to post-menopausal women to treat osteoporosis (bone loss) to avoid the risk of fractures. This Rx medication contains three active ingredients, namely Risedronate, Calcium, and Vitamin D3.

Your treatment plan will be to take one Actonel Combi D tablet containing Risedronate on the first day of treatment, then a sachet with Calcium and Vitamin D3 is mixed with water and drank immediately after the mixture stops fizzing on day two thru the seventh day. This procedure is then repeated throughout your treatment, taking care not to forget to only take a single pill and never on the same day as the sachet.

How Does Actonel Combi D Work?

Risedronate is a bisphosphonate drug that inhibits the action of cells (osteoclasts) that cause bone tissue to break down. This helps slow the rate at which bone is dissolved so you are less likely to experience a fracture. Calcium is needed for many purposes in our body and is essential to the formation of strong bones. This is especially true if your diet does not include enough calcium as well as after menopause when calcium levels can become low. Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) is obtained through your diet when you eat oily fish and milk products, but primarily comes from sunlight acting on your skin. Your body requires Vitamin D in order for Calcium to be absorbed from your gut.

What is Bone Remodeling?

Throughout your life your bones are in a continuous cycle of forming and dissolving which is called remodeling. Osteoblasts are cells that lay down the new bone while the old bone is removed by the osteoclasts. Women tend to get osteoporosis more than men, usually due to dropping estrogen levels as menopause begins naturally or from the surgical removal of the ovaries, or from chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer.

Being proactive can help you maintain healthy bones so you are less affected when you reach menopause. Eat a calcium rich diet with plenty of vitamin D, do weight-bearing exercises, stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake, and try to get at least seven to eight hours sleep per night.

Before Actonel Combi D is Prescribed

Tell your doctor about other medical conditions or allergies you have and provide a list of any current non-prescription medications or Rx drugs you take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements to determine if Actonel Combi D is safe for you to take. You must be able to sit upright or stand for at least thirty minutes after taking Actonel Combi D as the Risedronate can cause damage to your esophagus if you take it lying down.

Actonel Combi D Precautions

You should not take Actonel Combi D if you are intolerant to fructose, have a glucose-galactose malabsorption, or sucrose-isomaltase insufficiency. Until you know how your body will react to Actonel Combi D, use caution before attempting any task that requires you to be alert. The safety of Actonel Combi D has not been established during pregnancy so tell your doctor if you are still child-bearing age or are nursing a baby.

Possible Side Effects of Actonel Combi D

• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Joint, muscle, or bone pain

Drugs Similar to Actonel Combi D

• Evista
• Boniva
• Fosamax Plus D