Risedronate
Also called: Actonel, Atelvia
What it means
Risedronate is an oral bisphosphonate medication (sold as Actonel or Atelvia) used to treat osteoporosis. It slows down bone breakdown, which helps preserve bone density over time.
It can help reduce the risk of spine and hip fractures in people whose bones have weakened, which matters as bone strength declines with age.
Risedronate belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, which also includes alendronate and zoledronic acid. It attaches to the mineral part of bone and gets taken up by osteoclasts, the cells that break down old bone. Once inside, it interferes with their function, which slows the overall pace of bone remodeling and helps bone density hold steady or improve.
Large clinical trials have shown bisphosphonates like risedronate can meaningfully lower the risk of vertebral and hip fractures in people with osteoporosis. These drugs have been used for decades and have a well-established safety record, and they tend to be inexpensive compared to newer options.
Like other oral bisphosphonates, risedronate can cause digestive irritation in some people, and there are two rare but serious complications to be aware of: osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femoral fracture. Both are linked mainly to long-term use. Because the drug stays in bone for a long time, some prescribers discuss a 'drug holiday' after several years of treatment. Any decisions about starting, stopping, or adjusting this medication should be made together with your prescriber, based on your individual history and risk.
How sure is this?
Graded Strong Clinical Evidence: Supported by multiple well-designed clinical studies in humans. Read each study with its grade in mind. One study is a piece of the picture, not the whole of it.
Risedronate slows bone breakdown and can lower the risk of spine and hip fractures as bones weaken with age.
Where this leads
WordRisedronate belongs to a bigger drug family. Curious how bisphosphonates as a group work to slow bone breakdown and support bone-building?
Where the Academy teaches it
This page is the short version. The lessons teach it in full, with the context around it and a quiz to lock it in.
Related words
Bisphosphonates are osteoporosis medications — like alendronate, risedronate, and zoledronic acid — that slow down…
Alendronate is a bisphosphonate pill (brand names Fosamax, Binosto) used to treat osteoporosis. It slows down bone…
Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate drug given as a once-yearly IV infusion to slow bone breakdown and reduce…
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a rare condition where part of the jawbone loses blood supply and fails to heal,…
An atypical femoral fracture is an uncommon break in the shaft of the thigh bone that looks and behaves differently…
A drug holiday is a temporary, prescriber-guided pause from a bisphosphonate medication after several years of use,…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
