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 risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium 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 risedronate sodium tablets.
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 risedronate sodium tablets.
2.8 Administration Instructions for Missed Doses
Instruct patients about missing risedronate sodium tablets doses as follows:
If a dose of risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium tablets 75 mg tablet is missed, take the missed tablet in the morning after the day it is remembered
Return to taking their risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium tablets 75 mg on two consecutive days per month as originally scheduled.
If the dose of risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium tablets 150 mg once-a-month as originally scheduled.
Do not take more than one 150 mg tablet within 7 days.
If the dose of risedronate sodium tablets 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 risedronate sodium tablets 150 mg once-a-month as originally scheduled.