The recommended regimen for Actonel is one 5 mg tablet orally once daily or one 35 mg tablet orally once a week. Ideally, Actonel should be taken at least half an hour before the first food or drink of the day other than water.

It is necessary that Actonel be delivered directly to the stomach, so patients should sit in an upright position and swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. Patients should avoid lying down at least up to 30 minutes after taking the medication. If patients have indications of hypocalcemia and other disturbances of bone and mineral metabolism, these should be effectively treated before starting the patient on Actonel. It is also advisable to supplement Actonel therapy with calcium and vitamin D. This medication is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment.

Like most other medications, Actonel too has side effects which include abdominal or stomach pain; skin rash, belching; bone pain; cramping of stomach and red or sore eyes. It is advisable to contact your doctor is any of the following side effects occur for elongated periods: diarrhea, headache, joint pain, blurred vision or change in vision, chest pain, constipation, cough, dizziness, dry eyes, fever, general feeling of discomfort or illness, headache, leg cramps, nausea, ringing in the ears, swelling of feet or lower legs, weakness.

Do not suck or chew on the tablet because it may cause throat irritation. Medicines such as antacids that contain calcium or calcium supplements may decrease the absorption of Actonel.