Actonel 35Mg Side Effects

The generic medication risedronate, sold under the brand name Actonel in the United States, can help prevent bone thinning, or osteoporosis, in post-menopausal women by raising the level of bone mass. MayoClinic.com states that Actonel can also help people suffering from Paget's disease of the bone and those who have lost bone mass due to long-term corticosteroid use.

Rash

Although few serious side effects occur commonly in people taking Actonel 35 mg, users may develop a rash on the skin from the drug. While a rash may not appear serious, MayoClinic.com indicates that it may require medical aid and recommends immediate consultation with a doctor.

Pain

Pain may occur with Actonel 35 mg use in several ways. The most serious, pain in the stomach or abdominal area, requires medical help. Other, less serious pain may occur in the back or in the joints, Drugs.com reports. The pain is due to the body adjusting to the medicine and most often dissipates with continued use. A doctor need not be consulted unless the pain feels severe or does not end.

Flu-like Syndrome

Actonel 35 mg, like other drugs, may induce side effects akin to the flu. Initial use can cause tiredness, fever, muscle aches, runny nose and headaches, among other flu-like symptoms. These problems, Drugs.com indicates, do not constitute significant side effects, although they occur commonly. In most people, they will occur as a mild problem that will go away upon the body's adjustment to the drug.

Stomach Discomfort

The National Institutes of Health report that several problems may arise in the digestive system from using Actonel, such as nausea, belching and pain in the stomach. Farther down the digestive tract, constipation or diarrhea may occur at the outset of Actonel 35mg use. The National Institutes of Health indicate doctors expect these types of side effects to disappear on their own, but recommends asking about them if they do not.

Psychological Problems

The person taking Actonel 35 mg can experience some temporary and non-serious common side effects of a psychological nature, the National Institutes of Health report. For example, the person may become depressed when first using the drug. She also may feel anxious without provocation. These effects, too, should cease without help.