Actonel (risedronate sodium) represents one of the bisphosphonates physicians prescribe to slow bone deterioration and fight osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women take the medication to avoid spinal fractures and older men take the medication to keep from losing bone mass. Along with calcium and vitamin D supplements, Actonel can fight bone loss and Paget's disease, a bone disease in which healthy bone cells are lost and bigger, weaker bone material grows in their place to make a malformed, weaker bone. While Actonel positively fights bone loss and bone disease as both a preventive medication and even after bone loss has begun, it also has some side effects.
Stomach Upset
Gastrointestinal problems are a common, less serious side effect of taking Actonel. The Drugs.com website states a variety of gastrointestinal difficulties from stomach aches and gas to nausea, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation have all been reported by those who take the medication.
Head, Joint Pain
Actonel may induce pain in those who take the medication as a side effect. The Drugs.com website lists headaches, back pain and joint pains as some of the pains patients may experience when using the drug. RxList.com states that in phase three clinical trials of Actonel for use with Paget's disease patients, about one in three test subjects had joint pain and about one in five reported headaches.
Jaw Bone Loss
One less common but serious side effect from using Actonel is the permanent loss of jaw bone called osteonecrosis. Drugs.com states that you may feel jaw pain, become numb or have swelling in the jaw area as symptoms of this disease. You also may find teeth loosening, have infected gums or easily develop infections that are slow to heal following dental treatment or gum surgery.
Esophageal Problems
Some people taking Actonel reported esophageal maladies such as esophageal ulcers, esophagitis, esophogeal erosion and even esophogeal bleeding and perforation. RxList recommends that Actonel should be taken with a glass of water while sitting upright a half hour before eating or taking any other medications.
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