Both prescription medications such as Actonel, the brand name for risedronate sodium, and over-the-counter treatments such as calcium and vitamin D help prevent osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis, the medical term for a decrease in bone density, you have an increased susceptiblity to bone fractures. Your doctor may weigh several factors when deciding which treatment will best improve your bone density.
Actonel Actions and Benefits
Actonel falls into the classification of a bisphosphonate, a drug that slows bone loss by preventing bone breakdown. Bone is in a continual state of remodeling, with older bone breaking down and new bone laid down. As you age, bone breakdown increases, which is why the risk of osteoporosis increases with age. Bisphosphonates like Actonel slow the process.
Benefits of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements
Most of your body's calcium is stored within your bones, which increases bone strength. Your body also uses calcium to keep nerves, muscles and your heart functioning. Your body does not absorb all the calcium you ingest in your diet. Vitamin D increases calcium absorption in the small intestine. Taking both calcium and vitamin D supplements will increase calcium absorption. However, calcium is best absorbed in amounts of 500 milligrams or less at one time, so take your supplement in divided doses, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases suggests.
Comparison of Benefits
Both bisphosphonates and vitamin D and calcium can increase bone density; the two treatments may work best together, Without adequate calcium intake, bisphosphonates will not be effective. Without adequate vitamin D, calcium won't be well-absorbed. If you ingest at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium if you're a woman or man between the ages of 19 and 50 and 1,200mg vitamin D if you're a woman over age 50 or a man over 71, your intake is adequate. Blood tests that show vitamin D levels of at least 50 nanomols per liter, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, are considered adequate. Do not take Actonel and calcium at the same time, since Actonel can interfere with calcium absorption, the April 2003 Harvard Health Letter reports. Separate doses by at least 30 minutes.
Considerations
Actonel may have side effects that prevent your taking it to treat osteoporosis. Actonel may cause heartburn or stomach upset; it's essential to remain upright for 30 minutes after taking the medication and to take it with the plenty of water. Actonel and other bisphosphonates may cause necrosis of the jaw bone or atypical hip fractures. Your doctor may stop Actonel and have you just continue calcium and vitamin D supplements. If you take calcium-channel blockers or beta blockers to treat heart conditions such as high blood pressure do not take calcium without your doctor's approval, as calcium may interfere with the drugs' effectiveness.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Calcium and Vitamin D: Important at Every Age
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
- MayoClinic.com: Osteoporosis Treatment: Medications Can Help
- Harvard Health Letter: What you Need to Know About Calcium
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