Risofos is a bisphosphonate that is used for treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, treatment and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Risofos is also used in the treatment of Paget's disease.
The active ingredient present in Risofos is Risedronate Sodium.
Risofos is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and contains calcium. It may reverse bone loss by stopping more loss of bone and increasing bone strength in most people who take it, even though they won't be able to see or feel a difference. It helps to lower the risk of breaking bones (fractures). Your health care provider may measure the thickness (density) of your bones or do other tests to check your progress.
Take 1 tablet of Risofos once a week. You must always take the tablet on the same day of the week. Take it with 6 to 8 ounces (about 1 cup) of plain water in the morning. Do not take it with coffee, tea, juice, milk or other dairy drinks. Take Risofos while you are sitting up or standing. Swallow the tabet whole. Do not chew the tablet or keep it in your mouth to melt or dissolve.
After taking Risofos you must wait at least 30 minutes before lying down. You may sit, stand, or do normal activities like read the newspaper or take a walk. Take vitamins, calcium, and antacids at a different time. Take one calcium tablet daily with food for the following 6 days of the week (e.g. 1 day before you take Risofos).
For Risofos to treat your postmenopausal osteoporosis or keep you from getting postmenopausal osteoporosis, you have to take it exactly as prescribed. Your health care provider may tell you to take more calcium as well as vitamin D and to exercise. If you take more calcium tablets, take each calcium tablet at separate times of the day with food.
If you miss a dose of Risofos in the morning, do not take it later in the day. Take only 1 tablet the next morning and return to your usual schedule. Take your calcium tablet with food later in the same day that the missed this medicine tablet is taken. Do not take Risofos and calcium tablets at the same time.
If you miss a dose of calcium and remember later in the day, you may take it with food. If you miss a dose of calcium the entire day, and you remember the next day, you may take two tablets on that day at separate times with food. Do not take more than two calcium tablets on the same day, unless recommended by your health care provider.
The side effects of Risofos are given below. Stop taking Risofos and tell your health care provider right away if: swallowing is difficult or painful, you have chest pain, you have very bad heartburn or it doesn't get better.
Risofos may cause: pain or trouble swallowing (dysphagia), heartburn (esophagitis), ulcers in your stomach and esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach), pain in bones, joints, or muscles, sometimes severe.
The most common side effects with Risofos include back pain, joint pain, upset stomach, abdominal (stomach area) pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and headache. Tell your health care provider if you have pain or discomfort in your stomach or esophagus.
Rarely, severe skin reactions may occur. Patients may get allergic reactions such as rash, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, which may cause trouble breathing or swallowing. In rare cases, patients taking this medicine may get eye inflammation, usually with pain, redness, and sensitivity to light. Rarely, patients had jaw problems associated with delayed healing and infection, often following tooth extraction.
These are not all the possible side effects of this medicine. You can ask your health care provider about other side effects. Any time you have a medical problem you think may be from this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Tell your doctor before using Risofos if you have kidney problems. Risofos may not be right for you. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, such as, vitamins and herbal supplements. Risofos and calcium can interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all the medicines you take. Show it to all your healthcare providers, including your dentist, each time you get a new medicine. Foods and some vitamin supplements and medicines can stop your body from absorbing (using) this medicine. Therefore, do not take anything others than plain water at or near the time you take this medicine.
