Consumer medicine information

Actonel

Risedronate sodium

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Actonel, Actonel Once-a-Month

Active ingredient

Risedronate sodium

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Actonel.

SUMMARY CMI

Actonel®

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

1. Why am I using Actonel?

Actonel contains the active ingredient risedronate sodium. Actonel is used to treat bone disease and belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates. For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Actonel? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I use Actonel

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Actonel or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Actonel? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Actonel and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use Actonel?

For osteoporosis, the usual dose is one 5mg tablet each day or one 150mg tablet once a month. For Paget's disease of the bone, the usual dose is one 30 mg tablet each day for 2 months. More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Actonel? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while using Actonel?

Things you should do
  • Tell any doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Actonel.
  • If you require a dental procedure tell your dentist that you are taking Actonel. Invasive dental procedures should be avoided where possible.
  • If you become pregnant while taking Actonel tell your doctor or pharmacist.
  • If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Actonel.
Things you should not do
  • Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Actonel
  • Do not have any food or drink, except for plain water for 30 minutes after taking Actonel
  • Do not give Actonel to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you
  • Do not take Actonel to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to
Driving or using machines
  • Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Actonel affects you.
Drinking alcohol
  • Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
  • Store below 25°C
  • Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Actonel? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Stop taking Actonel and tell your doctor immediately if chest pain, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or tongue or severe skin reactions occur. For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.



FULL CMI

Actonel®

Active ingredient(s): risedronate sodium


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Actonel. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Actonel.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using Actonel?
2. What should I know before I use Actonel?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Actonel?
5. What should I know while using Actonel?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I using Actonel?

Actonel contains the active ingredient risedronate sodium. Actonel belongs to a group of medicines called bisphosphonates

Actonel is used to treat bone disease. Actonel works directly on your bones to make them stronger and therefore less likely to break or fracture.

Actonel 5mg daily, and 150mg Once-a-Month tablets are used to treat:

  • osteoporosis (brittle or fragile bones that may fracture easily)
  • osteoporosis caused by taking steroids

Actonel 30mg tablets are used to treat:

  • -Paget's disease of the bone

These conditions are caused by changes in the way bone is normally maintained.

Understanding bone

Bone is a living tissue consisting of calcium and other minerals.

Throughout life, old bone is constantly broken down and replaced with new bone. After the age of 35, bone loss may occur faster than your body can replace it. If you lose too much bone then they become weaker and are more likely to break

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) is a disease that causes bones to become weaker. Weak bones break (fracture) easily.

Many patients with osteoporosis have no symptoms and may not even know that they have osteoporosis.

However osteoporosis makes you more likely to break bones when you have a fall or bump. The spine, hip and wrist are the most likely bones to break, although this can happen to any bone in your body. Osteoporosis can also cause back pain, height loss and a curved back.

Osteoporosis is common in women after the menopause (change of life) and is also more likely to occur in women who have reached the menopause early. Osteoporosis can also occur in women who have not yet reached menopause, and in men.

Long term steroid treatment can also lead to osteoporosis in both men and women.

Actonel works by slowing down the process of old bone being removed.

This allows the bone-forming cells time to rebuild normal bone.

Actonel also helps to rebuild bone mass. This creates stronger bone which is less likely to fracture.

Therefore Actonel can help reverse the progression of osteoporosis.

Paget's disease of the bone

Paget's disease occurs when the process of bone remodelling happens too quickly and in a disordered way. The new bone that is produced is weaker than normal and the affected bones may become enlarged, deformed, painful and may fracture. The skull, spine, legs, collar bone and pelvic bone are the most commonly affected.

Do not give Actonel to children or adolescents under 18 years of age.

There have been no studies of its effects in this age group.

There is no evidence that Actonel is addictive.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

2. What should I know before I use Actonel?

Warnings

Do not use Actonel if:

  1. you are allergic to risedronate sodium, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
  2. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
  3. are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes
  4. have a condition called hypocalcaemia (a low level of calcium in the blood)
  5. have severe kidney problems.

Check with your doctor if you:

  • have any other medical conditions:
    - disturbances of bone and mineral metabolism (for example vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone abnormalities)
    - problems with the tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach (oesophagus) such as ulcers
    - pain, swelling or numbness of the jaw or a "heavy jaw feeling" or loosening of a tooth
  • Check with your doctor or dentist to see if a dental check-up is required before starting Actonel. This is especially important if you are receiving medicines or therapy used to treat cancer or taking corticosteroids.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. It is not known whether Actonel passes into breast milk.

Actonel is not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with Actonel and affect how it works. These include:

  • Antacids, medicines used to treat indigestion e.g. Gaviscon, Mylanta
  • Other products containing calcium
  • Iron supplements

You may need to stop taking these products or take them at a different time of day to Actonel.

You can take aspirin while you are being treated with Actonel.

Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with while taking Actonel.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Actonel.

4. How do I use Actonel?

How much to take / use

  • For osteoporosis, the usual dose is one 5mg tablet each day, or one 150mg tablet once a month.
  • For Paget's disease of the bone, the usual dose is one 30 mg tablet each day for 2 months
  • Follow the instructions provided and use Actonel until your doctor tells you to stop.

When to take / use Actonel

  • Take your Actonel tablet in the morning, at least 30 minutes before your first meal, drink or medication of the day.
    Actonel is most effective when your stomach is empty.
  • Take your Actonel tablet while sitting or standing upright. Do not lie down immediately after swallowing it.
    It is important to stay upright, for example, sitting, standing or walking around, for at least 30 minutes after swallowing your tablet. It is also very important to stay upright until after you have eaten your first food of the day. This will help make sure the tablet reaches your stomach quickly and helps avoid irritation to your oesophagus.
  • Swallow your Actonel tablet whole with a glass of plain water. Do not chew or suck the tablet.
    It is important to take Actonel with plain water only (120 mL), not mineral water. Mineral water and other drinks, including fruit juices, coffee and tea, will reduce the effect of Actonel.

Take your Actonel 5mg and 30mg tablet at the same time of day every day.

Taking your tablets at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the tablets.

Take your Actonel 150mg Once-a-Month tablet on the same day each month.

This tablet should be taken each month. Choose a day of the month that suits you the best.

If you forget to use Actonel

Actonel should be used regularly at the same time each day or month.

For Actonel 5mg and 30mg Tablets:

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the tablet that you missed.

This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

For Actonel 150mg Once-a-Month tablets:

If you have forgotten to take your 150mg tablet, and your next monthly dose is more than 7 days ahead just take one tablet the next morning.

If you have forgotten to take your 150mg tablet, and your next monthly dose is within 7 days do not take it. Return to taking one tablet once a month, as originally scheduled on your chosen day.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you use too much Actonel

If you think that you have used too much Actonel, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre
    (by calling 13 11 26), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

If you or somebody else has accidentally taken a large number of tablets, drink a full glass of milk or antacids.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while using Actonel?

Things you should do

Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Actonel.

If you require a dental procedure, tell your dentist that you are taking Actonel. Invasive dental procedures should be avoided where possible.

This type of medicine may cause jaw-bone problems in some people. Jaw-bone problems may include infection, and delayed healing after teeth are pulled out or other work that involves drilling into the jaw.

Call your doctor or dentist straight away if you:

  • you develop a toothache, jaw pain, painful exposed bone or swelling, especially following dental work
  • If you are about to be started on any new medicine
  • become pregnant while taking Actonel
  • If you develop new or unusual pain in your hip or thigh. Rarely, patients have experienced fracture in a specific part of the thigh bone.

Speak to your doctor and dentist about good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups while you are using Actonel.

Things you should not do

  • Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Actonel.
  • Do not have any food or drink, except for plain water for 30 minutes after taking Actonel
  • Do not give Actonel to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
  • Do not take Actonel to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Actonel affects you.

Actonel may cause dizziness in some people

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Looking after your medicine

  • Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.
  • If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight where the temperature stays below 25°C.; for example, do not store it:

  • in the bathroom or near a sink, or
  • in the car or on window sills.

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effectsWhat to do
  • stomach pain
  • diarrhoea
  • aching muscles, joints or bones
  • headache
  • nausea
  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • dizziness
  • skin rash or redness of the skin, sometimes made worse by sunlight, itchiness
  • blurred vision, pain or redness in the eyes
  • problems with your jaw or teeth, associated with delayed healing and/or infection often following a tooth extraction or invasive dental work
  • difficulty or pain on swallowing*
  • new or worsening heartburn*
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effectsWhat to do
  • chest pain*
  • swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or tongue
  • severe skin reactions
Stop taking Actonel. Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

* These side effects may be due to irritation or ulceration of the food pipe. They may worsen if you continue taking the tablets.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What Actonel contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
risedronate sodium
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
  • microcrystalline cellulose
  • lactose monohydrate (5mg, and 30mg only)
  • crospovidone
  • magnesium stearate
  • hypromellose
  • macrogol 400
  • macrogol 8000
  • colloidal anhydrous silica
  • titanium dioxide
  • hyprolose
  • iron oxide yellow (5mg only)
  • indigo carmine CI73015 (150mg tablet only)

Each Actonel 5mg tablet contains 5 mg risedronate sodium per tablet

Each Actonel 30mg tablet contains 30mg risedronate sodium per tablet

Actonel 150mg Once-a-Month tablets: 150mg risedronate sodium per tablet

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

Actonel does not contain sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

What Actonel looks like

  • Actonel is available in three types of tablets:
  • Actonel 5mg - oval yellow tablet, with RSN marked on one side and 5mg marked on the other
  • Actonel 30mg - oval white tablet, with RSN marked on one side and 30mg marked on the other
  • Actonel 150mg - oval light blue tablet, with RSN marked on one side and 150mg marked on the other.

The 5mg and 30mg tablets are supplied in pack sizes of 28 tablets.

The 150mg tablets are supplied in a pack size of 1 tablet.

Australian Registration Number:

Actonel 5 mg - AUST R 74135

Actonel 30 mg - AUST R 74136

Actonel 150 mg - AUST R 150618

Who distributes Actonel

Actonel is supplied in Australia by:

Theramex Australia Pty Ltd
Level 22, 60 Margaret Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
1800 THERAMEX or 1800 843 726

This leaflet was updated in April 2021

Published by MIMS June 2021

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Actonel, Actonel Once-a-Month

Active ingredient

Risedronate sodium

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Risedronate sodium.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Each Actonel tablet contains the equivalent of 5 or 30 mg of risedronate sodium.
Each Actonel Once-a-Month tablet contains the equivalent of 150 mg of risedronate sodium.

Excipients with known effect.

Sugars as lactose (5 or 30 mg tablets only).
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Film-coated tablet.

Actonel 5 mg tablets.

Oval, yellow film-coated tablets with RSN embossed on one side and 5 mg on the other side.

Actonel 30 mg tablets.

Oval, white film-coated tablets with RSN embossed on one side and 30 mg on the other side.

Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month tablets.

Oval, light-blue film-coated tablets with RSN engraved on one side and 150 mg on the other side.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Actonel 5 mg and 150 mg tablets.

Treatment of osteoporosis.
Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Preservation of bone mineral density in patients on long term corticosteroid therapy.

Actonel 30 mg tablet.

Treatment of Paget's disease of bone.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Actonel must only be taken with plain water.
Plain water is the only drink that should be taken with Actonel tablets. Please note that some mineral waters or water from regional areas may have a higher concentration of calcium and therefore should not be used.
Actonel must be taken 30 minutes before the first food or drink other than water. To facilitate delivery to the stomach, Actonel should be taken in an upright position and the patient should avoid lying down for 30 minutes. Patients should not chew or suck on the tablet because of the potential for oropharyngeal irritation.

Osteoporosis.

Actonel 5 mg.

The recommended dose is 5 mg daily.

Actonel 150 mg.

Actonel 150 mg tablets should be taken orally once a month. The tablet should be taken on the same date each month.
Patients who miss a dose of Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month should be instructed to take one Actonel 150 mg tablet the morning after the day it is remembered, unless the time to the next month's scheduled doses are within 7 days.
If the next month's scheduled doses of Actonel 150 mg are within 7 days, patients should wait until their next month's scheduled doses and then continue taking Actonel 150 mg as originally scheduled.

Paget's disease.

The recommended treatment regimen is 30 mg once daily for 2 months. Actonel is indicated in patients whose symptoms are attributed to Paget's disease and in patients who are at risk for future complications from their disease, to induce remission (normalisation of serum alkaline phosphatase).
Retreatment may be considered (following post-treatment observation of at least 2 months) if relapse occurs, or if treatment fails to normalise serum alkaline phosphatase. For retreatment the dose and duration of therapy are the same as for initial treatment. No data are available on more than one course of retreatment.

N.B.

Suppression of Paget's disease may last up to 12 months or longer and retreatment should be withheld until there are further manifestations of the disease.

Use in the elderly.

No dose adjustment is necessary.

Renal insufficiency.

No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance 30 to 60 mL/minute). Actonel is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/minute) due to limited clinical data.

Hepatic insufficiency.

Dose adjustments are unlikely to be needed in patients with hepatic impairment.

Paediatrics.

Safety and efficacy of Actonel has not been established in patients under 18 years of age.

Compatibility with other drugs.

Calcium, antacids, aluminium and some oral medications will interfere with the absorption of risedronate and therefore should be taken at a different time of the day.

4.3 Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of the ingredients.
Hypocalcaemia (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Inability to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes.

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

General.

Food, certain medication containing polyvalent cations (such as calcium, magnesium, iron and aluminium) and beverages (except plain water) can interfere with the absorption of bisphosphonates and should not be taken at the same time as Actonel.
Bisphosphonates have been associated with oesophagitis, gastritis, oesophageal ulcerations and gastroduodenal ulcerations. Thus, caution should be used:
in patients who have a history of oesophageal disorders which delay oesophageal transit or emptying e.g. stricture or achalasia;
in patients who are unable to stay in the upright position for at least 30 minutes after taking the tablet;
if Actonel is given to patients with active or recent oesophageal or upper gastrointestinal problems (including known Barrett's oesophagus).
For patients to gain maximum benefit from Actonel, doctors must stress the importance of taking Actonel as per the dosage instructions (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). This is especially important in the case of patients with a history of oesophageal disorders.
Hypocalcaemia must be corrected before starting Actonel therapy.
Bone and mineral metabolism dysfunction (e.g. vitamin D deficiency and parathyroid abnormalities) should be effectively treated before starting Actonel therapy.
Patients should receive supplemental calcium and vitamin D if dietary intake is inadequate. This is especially important in patients with Paget's disease in whom bone turnover is significantly elevated.

Gastrointestinal.

Actonel like other bisphosphonates may cause local irritation of the upper GI mucosa. Since some bisphosphonates have been associated with oesophagitis and oesophageal ulcerations and gastroduodenal ulceration, doctors should therefore be alert to any signs or symptoms signalling a possible oesophageal reaction, especially in patients with a history of upper GI disease or who are using NSAIDs or aspirin concomitantly. Doctors should be particularly careful to emphasise the importance of taking Actonel as per the dosage instructions to patients who have a history of oesophageal disorders.
There is very little experience with risedronate in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw, generally associated with tooth extraction and/or local infection (including osteomyelitis) has been reported in patients with cancer receiving treatment regimens including primarily intravenously administered bisphosphonates. Many of these patients were also receiving chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Osteonecrosis of the jaw has also been reported in patients with osteoporosis receiving oral bisphosphonates.
A dental examination with appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered prior to treatment with bisphosphonates in patients with concomitant risk factors (e.g. cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, corticosteroids, poor oral hygiene).
While on treatment, these patients should avoid invasive dental procedures if possible. For patients who develop osteonecrosis of the jaw while on bisphosphonate therapy, dental surgery may exacerbate the condition. For patients requiring dental procedures, there are no data available to suggest whether discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment reduces the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. Clinical judgment of the treating physician should guide the management plan of each patient based on individual benefit/ risk assessment.
Osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal has been reported with bisphosphonates, mainly in association with long-term therapy. Possible risk factors for osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal include steroid use and chemotherapy and/or local risk factors such as infection or trauma. The possibility of osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal should be considered in patients receiving bisphosphonates who present with ear symptoms including chronic ear infections.

Atypical stress fractures.

A small number of patients on long-term bisphosphonate therapy (usually longer than three years), mostly in connection with the use of alendronate have developed stress fractures of the proximal femoral shaft (also known as insufficiency or atypical fractures), some of which occurred in the absence of apparent trauma. Some of these patients experienced prodromal pain in the affected area, often associated with imaging features of stress fracture, weeks to months before a complete fracture occurred. Approximately one-third of these fractures were bilateral; therefore, the contralateral femur should be examined in patients who have sustained a femoral shaft stress fracture.
It is not known to what extent other agents of the aminobisphosphonate class, including Actonel, may be associated with this adverse event. Prior treatment with alendronate should be a cause for added vigilance. Patients with suspected stress fractures should be evaluated, including evaluation for known causes and risk factors (e.g. vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption, glucocorticoid use, previous stress fracture, lower extremity arthritis or fracture, extreme or increased exercise, diabetes mellitus, chronic alcohol abuse), and receive appropriate orthopaedic care.
During bisphosphonate treatment patients should be advised to report any thigh, hip or groin pain and any patient presenting with such symptoms should be evaluated for an incomplete femur fracture.
Discontinuation of bisphosphonate therapy in patients with stress fractures is advisable pending evaluation of the patient, based on individual benefit/ risk assessment. Causality has not been excluded in regard to bisphosphonate use and stress fractures.

Osteomalacia.

The potential for risedronate to induce osteomalacia was investigated in the Schenk rat assay. This assay is based on histologic examination of the epiphyses of the growing rats after drug treatment. Risedronate did not interfere with bone mineralisation even at the highest dose tested (5 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) which was > 3000 times the lowest antiresorptive dose (1.5 microgram/kg/day). These data indicate that risedronate administered at therapeutic doses is unlikely to induce osteomalacia.

Use in renal impairment.

Enteric-coated Actonel is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min).

Use in hepatic impairment.

No studies have been performed to assess the safety or efficacy of Actonel in patients with hepatic impairment.

Use in the elderly.

No dose adjustment is necessary.

Paediatric use.

Safety and efficacy of risedronate have not been established in patients under 18 years of age.

Effect on laboratory tests.

Bisphosphonates are known to interfere with the use of bone imaging agents. However, specific studies with risedronate have not been performed.
Small asymptomatic decreases in serum calcium and phosphorus levels have been observed in some patients.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

No specific drug interactions studies have been performed. However, Actonel is not systemically metabolised, does not induce or inhibit hepatic microsomal drug metabolising enzymes (cytochrome P450) and has low protein binding.
Concomitant intake of medications containing polyvalent cations (e.g. calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminium, antacids) will interfere with the absorption of Actonel and should be taken at a different time of the day.
Actonel may be used concomitantly with hormone replacement therapy or the contraceptive pill.
During clinical trials, patients were exposed to a wide variety of commonly used concomitant medication while taking Actonel. No clinically relevant interactions were noted. The medications included NSAIDs, aspirin, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors, antacids, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, thiazides, glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants and cardiac glycosides. There are no clinical data concerning the concomitant medication with 2 or more bisphosphonates and such concomitant medication is not recommended.
In the Phase III postmenopausal trials with 5 mg daily dosing, 29% and 37% of patients used aspirin and NSAIDs respectively. The incidence of upper GI adverse events in Actonel patients (aspirin/ NSAIDs taken ≥ 3 days/week) was similar to that in placebo treated patients. In the Phase III Once-a-Week study, 57% and 40% of patients used aspirin and NSAIDs respectively. In the Phase III study comparing 75 mg on 2 consecutive days a month and 5 mg daily in postmenopausal women, acetylsalicylic acid/ NSAID use was reported by 54.8% of patients. Similar percentages of patients experienced upper gastrointestinal adverse events regardless of NSAIDs and aspirin use.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

A fertility study in male and female rats showed no adverse effects at oral doses up to 16 mg/kg/day, corresponding to systemic exposure (serum AUC0-24 h) about 30 times higher than that in humans dosed at 30 mg/day. At higher dose levels, systemic toxicity, testicular atrophy and reduced fertility were seen in male rats, but these effects are unlikely to have clinical relevance.
(Category B3)
Risedronate has not been studied in pregnant women. Risedronate should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to mother and foetus. If administration during pregnancy is contemplated, serum calcium levels should be monitored, and calcium supplementation provided in late gestation. Animal studies suggest that periparturient maternal hypocalcaemia and foetal ossification effects may occur.
Animal studies have shown that risedronate sodium crosses the placenta to a minimal extent in rats. The drug had no teratogenic activity in rats or rabbits at oral doses up to 80 and 10 mg/kg/day respectively. However, suppression of foetal growth and retardation of ossification were observed at the highest dose level in rats. When administered to rats during late gestation, maternal deaths and parturition failure were observed at oral dose levels greater than 2 mg/kg/day. These effects were probably secondary to maternal hypocalcaemia. Systemic exposure (AUC0-24 h) at the no-effect level in rats was similar to that in patients with Paget's disease, and about 6 times higher than that in patients with corticosteroid induced osteoporosis. Systemic exposure in rabbits was not measured.
Risedronate was detected in feeding pups exposed to lactating rats for a 24 hour period postdosing, indicating a small degree of lacteal transfer. It is not known whether risedronate is excreted in human milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from bisphosphonates, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
As with other bisphosphonates in preclinical models, foetuses from risedronate treated dams showed ossification changes in sternebrae and/or skull at doses as low as 3.2 mg/kg/day. This is equivalent to the human 30 mg dose and 6 times the human 5 mg dose based on surface area, mg/m2. Treatment with risedronate during mating and gestation with doses of 3.2 mg/kg/day has resulted in periparturient hypocalcaemia and mortality in rats allowed to deliver.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effects of this medicine on a person's ability to drive and use machines were not assessed as part of its registration.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Osteoporosis.

Actonel 5 mg daily dosing. The Phase IIIA clinical trials were designed to include patients with a history of upper GI disorder. Patients were permitted concomitant use of NSAIDs and aspirin. In these patients the incidence of upper GI adverse reactions in the Actonel group was similar to that in the placebo control group. Abdominal and musculoskeletal pain were commonly reported (1% to 10%). Glossitis, iritis and duodenitis were reported uncommonly (0.1% to 1%). There were rare reports (< 0.1%) of abnormal liver function tests.

Laboratory test findings.

Asymptomatic, small decreases in serum calcium and phosphorus levels have been observed in some patients.
Actonel has been studied for up to 3 years in over 5000 women enrolled in Phase 3 clinical trials for treatment or prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Most adverse events reported in these trials were either mild or moderate in severity, and did not lead to discontinuation from the study. The incidence of serious adverse events in the placebo group was 24.9% and in the Actonel group was 26.3%. The percentage of patients who withdrew from the study due to adverse events was 14.4% and 13.5% for the placebo and Actonel groups respectively.
Table 1 lists adverse events reported in ≥ 5% of Actonel treated patients and at an incidence higher than in the placebo group in Phase 3 postmenopausal osteoporosis trials. Adverse events are shown without attribution of causality.

Endoscopic findings.

Actonel clinical studies enrolled over 5000 postmenopausal women and included patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease and concomitant use of NSAIDs or aspirin. Investigators were encouraged to perform endoscopies in any patients with moderate to severe gastrointestinal complaints while maintaining the blind. These endoscopies were ultimately performed on equal numbers of patients between the treated and placebo groups [75 (11.9%) Actonel; 75 (14.5%) placebo]. Across treatment groups, the percentage of patients with normal oesophageal, gastric and duodenal mucosa on endoscopy was similar [20% placebo and 21% Actonel]. Positive findings on endoscopy were also generally comparable across treatment groups [58 (82.9%) placebo and 57 (81.4%) Actonel].

Gastrointestinal adverse events.

There was a higher number of reports of mild duodenitis [11 (15.7%)] in the Actonel group [7 (10%) placebo], however, there were more duodenal ulcers [33 (47.1%)] in the placebo group [26 (37.1%) Actonel]. The number of patients who had positive findings and withdrew from the studies was similar across treatment groups [26 (37.1%) placebo and 27 (38.6%) Actonel] and there was no evidence of treatment related oesophageal, gastric, or duodenal ulcers/erosions.
Actonel has been studied in Phase 3 corticosteroid induced osteoporosis trials enrolling more than 500 patients. The adverse event profile in this population was similar to that seen in postmenopausal osteoporosis trials, except for musculoskeletal events, which were reported by > 10% of patients and occurred at a greater frequency in the Actonel 5 mg treatment group [75 (43.1%)] compared to the placebo group [57 (33.5%)]. The adverse experiences reported [165 placebo and 167 Actonel] have usually been mild or moderate and generally have not required discontinuation of treatment. The occurrence of adverse events does not appear to be related to patient age, gender or race.
Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month. One year of treatment with Actonel 5 mg daily was compared to Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month in a double-blind, multicentre study in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The overall safety and tolerability profiles of the 2 oral dosing regimens were similar. The incidence of serious adverse events was 4.2% in the Actonel 5 mg daily group and 6.2% in the Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month group. The percentage of patients who withdrew from treatment due to adverse events was 9.5% in the Actonel 5 mg daily group and 8.6% in the Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month group. Table 2 lists the adverse events in ≥ 2% of patients from this trial. Events are shown without attribution of causality.

Acute phase reactions.

Acute phase reaction-like events, defined as adverse events of fever or influenza-like illness with onset within the first 3 days of treatment and duration of 7 days or less, were reported by 9 (1.4%) patients on Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month, and 1 (0.2%) patient on Actonel 5 mg daily.

Gastrointestinal adverse events.

The Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month regimen resulted in a slightly higher incidence of discontinuation due to diarrhoea (0.8% vs. 0.0%) compared to the Actonel 5 mg once daily regimen. All of these events occurred within a few days of the first dose. The incidence of vomiting that led to discontinuation was the same in both groups (0.3% vs. 0.3%).

Ocular adverse events.

None of the patients treated with Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month experience ocular inflammation such as uveitis, scleritis or iritis; of patients treated with 5 mg daily, 2 patients reported iritis.

Laboratory test findings.

When Actonel 5 mg daily and Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month were compared in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, the mean percent changes from baseline at 12 months were 0.1% and 0.3% for serum calcium, -2.3% and -2.3% for phosphate, and 8.3% and 4.8% for PTH, respectively. Compared to the Actonel 5 mg daily regimen, Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month resulted in a slightly higher incidence of hypocalcemia at the end of the first month of treatment (0.2%, 5 mg daily vs. 2.2%, 150 mg). Thereafter, the incidence of hypocalcemia with these regimens was similar at approximately 2%.

Paget's disease.

Actonel was studied in 392 patients with Paget's disease. The adverse events reported were usually mild or moderate and did not generally require discontinuation of treatment. There was no correlation between adverse events and the age or gender of the patient. In a double blind, active controlled study, the adverse event profile was similar for Actonel and etidronate. 6.6% (4/61) of patients treated with Actonel 30 mg/day for 2 months discontinued treatment due to adverse events, compared with 8.2% (5/61) of patients treated with etidronate 400 mg/day for 6 months.
Adverse events reported in ≥ 5% of Actonel treated patients in the Phase 3 study are shown in Table 3.
Three patients that received Actonel 30 mg/day experienced acute iritis in one supportive study. All three patients recovered from their events; however, in one of these patients, the event recurred during Actonel treatment and again during treatment with pamidronate. All patients were effectively treated with topical steroids.
In the Phase 3 comparative study vs etidronate, patients with a history of upper GI disease or abnormalities and patients on NSAIDs or aspirin were also included. The proportion of Actonel treated patients [12 (19.7%)] with mild or moderate upper GI adverse events was similar to that in the etidronate treated group [12 (19.7%)]. No severe upper GI adverse events were observed in either group.
As expected the incidence of GI adverse events in patients who took concomitant NSAIDs or aspirin was higher than in nonusers. However, in these patients the incidence of GI adverse events was similar in the etidronate [10 (16.4%)] and Actonel [11 (18%)] treated patients.

Actonel postmarketing data.

The following additional adverse reactions have been very rarely reported during postmarketing use:

Eye disorders.

Iritis, uveitis.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissues disorders.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Hypersensitivity and skin reactions, including angioedema, generalised rash, and bulbous skin reactions, some severe.

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

No specific information is available on the treatment of overdose with Actonel. Decreases in serum calcium following substantial overdose may be expected in some patients. Signs and symptoms of hypocalcaemia may also occur in some of these patients. Administration of milk or antacids (containing magnesium, calcium or aluminium) to chelate Actonel may be helpful. Standard procedures that are effective for treating hypocalcaemia, including the administration of calcium intravenously, would be expected to restore physiologic amounts of ionised calcium and to relieve signs and symptoms of hypocalcaemia.

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Risedronate is a potent pyridinyl bisphosphonate that binds to bone hydroxyapatite and inhibits osteoclast mediated bone resorption. Risedronate is a third generation bisphosphonate. In preclinical studies risedronate demonstrated potent antiosteoclast and antiresorptive activity, increasing bone mass and biomechanical strength dose dependently. The activity of risedronate was confirmed by bone marker measurements during pharmacodynamic and clinical studies. With risedronate 5 mg daily, decreases in biochemical markers of bone turnover were observed within 1 month of treatment and reached a maximum decrease in 3-6 months, remaining stable during the course of therapy. This data demonstrates that risedronate causes a moderate reduction in bone resorption and bone turnover. The new steady state approximates the rate of bone turnover seen in premenopausal women. Decreases in biochemical markers of bone turnover were similar with risedronate 35 mg once-a-week and risedronate 5 mg daily. In a study in men with osteoporosis, decreases in biochemical markers of bone turnover were observed at the earliest time point of 3 months and continued to be observed at 24 months.

Comparison of 5 mg daily dose and 35 mg once-a-week dose.

Based on a lumbar spine BMD (bone mineral density), risedronate 35 mg once-a-week (n = 485) was shown to be therapeutically equivalent to risedronate 5 mg daily (n = 480) in a one year, double blind multicentre study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The two treatment groups were also similar at one year with regard to BMD increases at the total proximal femur, femoral neck and trochanter.

Clinical trials.

Treatment of osteoporosis. The clinical program involved a wide range of early and late postmenopausal women with and without fracture, including those with a history of GI disease and those using aspirin, NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors and H2-blockers.
The fracture efficacy of Actonel 5 mg daily in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis was demonstrated in two large, randomised, placebo controlled, double blind studies which enrolled a total of almost 4000 women under similar protocols. The multinational study (RVE) was conducted primarily in Europe and Australia; a second study was conducted in North America (RVN). Patients were selected on the basis of radiographic evidence of previous vertebral fracture, and had established disease. The average number of prevalent vertebral fractures per patient at study entry was 4 in the multinational study, and 2.5 in the North American study, with a broad range of baseline BMD levels. All patients in these studies received supplemental calcium 1000 mg/day. Patients with low vitamin D levels also received supplemental vitamin D 500 IU/day. The number of evaluable patients treated were:
RVN - 5 mg risedronate, n = 696; placebo, n = 678.
RVE - 5 mg risedronate, n = 344; placebo, n = 346.
RVN and RVE: n = 1040; placebo, n = 1024.

Effect on vertebral fracture.

The pivotal studies of Actonel in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis clearly demonstrate that Actonel 5 mg daily reduces vertebral fracture incidence in patients with low bone mass and vertebral fractures, regardless of age, years since menopause or disease severity at baseline. Actonel 5 mg daily significantly reduced the risk of new vertebral fractures in each of the two large treatment studies. In the multinational study, treatment with Actonel 5 mg daily for 3 years significantly reduced the risk of new vertebral fractures by 49% compared to treatment with placebo (p < 0.001) (Figure 1). A similar, significant reduction of 41% was seen in the North American study (p = 0.003). The effect of Actonel 5 mg daily on vertebral fracture incidence was seen as early as the end of the first year of treatment in each study. In the multinational study, the incidence of new vertebral fractures after 1 year was reduced from 13.3 to 5.6%, an absolute risk reduction of 8% and a relative risk reduction of 61% (p < 0.001). In the North American study, the incidence of new vertebral fractures after 1 year was reduced from 6.4 to 2.4%, an absolute risk reduction of 4% and a relative risk reduction of 65% (p < 0.001). At both 1 and 3 years, the reduction in risk seen in the subgroup of patients who had 2 or more vertebral fractures at study entry was similar to that seen in the overall study population. Treatment with Actonel 5 mg daily also significantly reduced the proportion of patients experiencing new and worsening vertebral fractures in each of the studies.

Effect on nonvertebral fractures.

In a prospectively planned analysis of pooled data from the multinational and North American studies, Actonel 5 mg daily significantly reduced the cumulative incidence of patients experiencing osteoporosis related nonvertebral fractures (wrist, humerus, clavicle, pelvis, hip and leg) over 3 years by 36% (p = 0.005). See Figure 2.
The incidence of nonvertebral fractures in the pooled analysis (RVN and RVE) was lower in the 5 mg risedronate group than in the placebo group for all fractures at these sites combined, as well as for the wrist, humerus, pelvis and leg separately. This difference was significant for all nonvertebral osteoporosis related fractures (p = 0.005), as well as for the humerus (p = 0.024) and pelvis (p = 0.044), while a trend was seen at the wrist (p = 0.075) (Table 4).
These findings demonstrate a beneficial effect of risedronate in preventing nonvertebral, osteoporosis related fractures.

Effect on height.

In the two 3 year osteoporosis treatment studies, standing height was measured yearly by stadiometer. As shown in Figure 3, treatment with Actonel 5 mg daily was associated with a significant reduction of about 50% in the annual rate of height loss compared to treatment with placebo.

Effect on bone mineral density.

The results of four, large, randomised, placebo controlled trials in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis demonstrate that Actonel 5 mg daily reverses the progression of disease, increasing BMD at the spine, hip and wrist compared to the effects seen with placebo. In the large multinational vertebral fracture treatment study previously described, Actonel 5 mg daily produced increases in lumbar spine BMD which were progressive over at least 2 years of treatment, and were statistically significant relative to baseline and to placebo at 6 months and at all later time points. The mean increase in BMD at the lumbar spine was 5.9%, compared to placebo at the end of 3 years. In the North American fracture trial, similarly progressive and significant increases were seen; the mean increase was 4.3%, compared to placebo. Actonel 5 mg also produced significant mean increases in BMD at the hip (femoral neck and trochanter) in each trial, compared to losses in BMD in the placebo group. The increases compared to placebo were 3.1% at the femoral neck and 6.4% at the trochanter in the multinational study, and 2.8% and 3.9%, respectively, in the North American study. Significant mean increases in the BMD of the midshaft radius, a skeletal site high in cortical bone, were also observed in each study in patients receiving Actonel treatment. These findings indicate that Actonel treatment produces positive effects at all measured skeletal sites of clinical importance for osteoporotic fractures.
Positive effects of Actonel treatment on BMD were also demonstrated in each of two large, randomised, placebo controlled trials in which almost 1200 postmenopausal women were recruited on the basis of low lumbar spine bone mass (more than 2 SD below the premenopausal mean) rather than a history of vertebral fracture. After 1.5 to 2 years, Actonel produced significant mean increases in BMD of the lumbar spine compared to placebo (5% and 4.1% in the two studies), femoral neck (2.8% and 2.3%) and trochanter (3.3% and 3.3%) in these women with low bone mass.

Histology/histomorphometry.

Histological evaluation of 278 bone biopsy samples from 204 postmenopausal women who received Actonel or placebo once daily for 2 to 3 years (including 74 pairs of biopsies, 43 from Actonel treated patients) showed a moderate decrease in bone turnover in Actonel treated women. Histological assessment showed no osteomalacia, impaired bone mineralisation or other adverse effects on bone in Actonel treated women. These findings demonstrate that the bone formed during Actonel administration is of normal quality.

Bone markers.

In clinical studies, dose dependent decreases in biochemical markers of bone turnover were observed with Actonel 5 mg treatment. These effects were seen within 1 month of treatment and reached a plateau, with levels about 40% below baseline values, by the sixth month of treatment which remained stable during continuous treatment for up to 3 years. These data demonstrate that 5 mg Actonel causes a moderate reduction in bone resorption without oversuppression of bone formation. This new steady state approximates the rate of bone turnover seen in premenopausal women.

Combined administration with hormone replacement therapy.

The effects of combining Actonel 5 mg daily with conjugated oestrogen treatment (0.625 mg daily) were compared to the effects of conjugated oestrogen alone in a 1 year, randomised, double blind study in more than 500 postmenopausal women (mean lumbar spine BMD 1.3 SD below the premenopausal mean). Actonel 5 mg daily in postmenopausal women taking oestrogen produced significant mean increases from baseline in BMD of the femoral neck (2.7%) and the midshaft radius (0.7%) at 12 months. These increases were greater than the increases observed in the oestrogen alone group, and reached statistical significance in favour of the combined treatment at the femoral neck and midshaft radius.
Consistent with the changes in BMD, the reduction in bone turnover was significantly greater in the combined Actonel plus oestrogen group compared to the oestrogen alone group (40% to 47% versus 35% to 40%) and remained within the premenopausal range. Histologic evaluation of 93 bone biopsy samples from 61 women on oestrogen therapy who received either placebo or Actonel once daily for 1 year (including 32 pairs of biopsies, 16 from Actonel treated patients) found decreases in bone turnover in the Actonel treated patients that were consistent with the changes in bone turnover markers. Bone histology demonstrated that the bone of patients treated with Actonel plus oestrogen was of normal lamellar structure and normal mineralisation.

Endoscopic findings.

Actonel endoscopic findings from patients with moderate to severe GI complaints in both Actonel and control patients showed no evidence of treatment related gastric, duodenal or oesophageal ulcers. Duodenitis was rarely observed in the Actonel group. Four out of five patients with endoscopically diagnosed oesophageal strictures had been taking risedronate 5 mg for more than 6 months.

150 mg once-a-month dose.

In a double-blind, active-controlled, multicenter study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 1 year of treatment with Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month (n = 650) was shown to be non-inferior to Actonel 5 mg daily (n = 642). In the primary efficacy analysis of completers, the mean increases from baseline in lumbar spine BMD at 1 year were 3.4% (3.0, 3.8; 95% CI) in the 5 mg daily group (n = 561) and 3.5% (3.1, 3.9; 95% CI) in the 150 mg Once-a-Month group (n = 561), with a mean difference between groups being -0.1% (-0.5, 02; 95% CI). The 2 treatment groups were also similar with regard to BMD increases at other skeletal sites. The numbers of patients with new vertebral fractures at Month 12 and Endpoint were similar in the 150 mg Once-a-Month group and the 5 mg daily group (at Endpoint, 150 mg 1.4%; 5 mg daily 1.4%).
Corticosteroid induced osteoporosis.

Bone mineral density.

Two 1 year, double blind, placebo controlled trials demonstrated that Actonel 5 mg once daily was effective in maintaining or increasing BMD in men and women initiating or continuing corticosteroid therapy. The first study enrolled 228 patients, each of whom had initiated corticosteroid therapy (> 7.5 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent) within the previous 3 months for rheumatic, skin and pulmonary diseases. The mean lumbar spine BMD was normal at baseline. All patients in this study received supplemental calcium 500 mg/day. After 1 year of treatment, the placebo group lost BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and trochanter, as shown in Figure 4. Actonel 5 mg once daily prevented this bone loss with a statistically significant difference from placebo of 3.8% at the lumbar spine, 4.1% at the femoral neck and 4.6% at the trochanter. The results at these three sites were also statistically significant when the subgroups of men or postmenopausal women were analysed separately. Actonel prevented bone loss regardless of underlying disease, age, race, gender, corticosteroid dose or baseline BMD.
The effect of risedronate discontinuation on bone mineral density was studied in a double blind, placebo controlled study in postmenopausal women with glucocorticoid dependent rheumatoid arthritis. Women were treated for 2 years with risedronate 2.5 mg daily, cyclic risedronate (averaged 2.5 mg of risedronate per day over the 96 Week active period), or placebo and then followed without treatment for one more year. Patients continued glucocorticoid treatment during the third year of the study. Risedronate discontinuation resulted in bone loss at all skeletal sites (proximal femur and lumbar spine) during the third year. The rate of bone loss, however, was similar to the placebo group indicating that bone loss was not accelerated after risedronate was discontinued. The study supports the use of continuous treatment with risedronate to prevent bone loss.
A second study of similar design enrolled 290 patients with continuing, long-term use (> 6 months) of corticosteroids for rheumatic, skin and pulmonary diseases. The baseline mean lumbar spine BMD was low (1.64 SD below the young healthy population mean), with 28% of the patients more than 2.5 SD below the mean. All patients in this study received supplemental calcium 1000 mg/day. Patients also received supplemental vitamin D 400 IU/day. After 1 year of treatment, the BMD of the placebo group remained near baseline levels at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and trochanter. Actonel 5 mg once daily improved bone mass with a statistically significant mean increase compared to placebo of 2.7% at the lumbar spine and 1.9% at the femoral neck as shown in Figure 5. At the trochanter, a statistically significant increase from baseline was demonstrated (2.4%). Actonel was effective regardless of age, race, gender, underlying disease, corticosteroid dose or baseline BMD.

Vertebral fractures.

Vertebral fractures were monitored for safety in the two placebo controlled studies. The incidence of vertebral fractures in each study was 15% to 17% in the placebo patients. The risk of vertebral fractures was reduced approximately 70% in the patients treated with Actonel 5 mg compared to patients treated with placebo. This decrease reached statistical significance when the studies were pooled, but not when analysed individually.

Bone marker data.

Actonel 5 mg daily produced significant reductions in biochemical markers of bone turnover relative to placebo. Deoxypyridinoline/ creatinine and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (SAP) were significantly reduced by approximately 20% relative to placebo after 1 and 3 months of treatment, respectively, and remained reduced (maximum 35% and 26%, respectively) for the duration of the treatment period.

Histology/histomorphometry.

Histologic evaluation of 70 bone biopsy samples from 48 women on corticosteroid therapy who received either placebo or Actonel once daily for 1 year (including 22 pairs of biopsies, 16 from Actonel treated patients) showed that bone formed during treatment with Actonel was of normal lamellar structure and normal mineralisation, with no bone or marrow abnormalities observed. Histomorphometric evaluation indicated that Actonel reduces bone resorption and produces a mild to moderate decrease in the rate of bone turnover. The rate of bone formation was preserved or increased and there was no evidence of impaired mineralisation. The structure of the cortical bone (cortical thickness and porosity) was maintained in the Actonel treated patients; cortical porosity increased, however, in the placebo group. These findings indicate that bone formed during Actonel treatment is of normal quality.
Paget's disease. Paget's disease is a chronic, focal skeletal disorder characterised by increased and disordered bone remodelling. Excessive osteoclastic bone resorption is followed by osteoblastic new bone formation. This leads to the replacement of normal bone architecture by disorganised, enlarged and weakened bone structure. Clinical manifestations of Paget's disease range from no symptoms to severe bone pain, bone deformity, pathological fractures and neurological disorders. Serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP), the most frequently used biochemical marker of disease activity provides an objective measure of disease severity and response to therapy.
The efficacy of Actonel was demonstrated in two clinical studies involving 120 male and 65 female patients. In a double blind, active controlled study of patients with moderate to severe Paget's disease (SAP levels of at least two times the upper limit of normal), patients were treated with Actonel 30 mg daily for 2 months or etidronate 400 mg daily for 6 months. Figure 6 shows that at day 180, 77% (43/56) of Actonel treated patients achieved normalisation of SAP levels compared to 10.5% of patients treated with etidronate (p < 0.001). At day 540, 16 months after discontinuation of therapy, 53% (17/32) of Actonel treated patients and 14% (4/29) of etidronate treated patients with available data remained in biochemical remission.
During the first 180 days of the active controlled study, 85% (51/60) of Actonel treated patients demonstrated a ≥ 75% reduction from baseline in excessive SAP levels (difference between measured level and midpoint of the normal range). This was achieved with 2 months of treatment compared to 20% (12/60) in the etidronate treated group with 6 months of treatment (p < 0.001).
Changes in excessive SAP levels over time (shown in Figure 7) are significant following only 30 days of treatment, with a 36% reduction in SAP levels at that time compared to only 6% seen with etidronate treatment at the same time point (p < 0.01).
Response to Actonel therapy was similar in patients with Paget's disease, irrespective of disease severity. Table 5 shows the mean percent reduction from baseline at day 180 in excess SAP levels in patients with mild, moderate or severe disease.
Response to Actonel was similar between patients who had previously received antipagetic therapy and those who had not. In the active controlled study, four patients previously nonresponsive to one or more courses of antipagetic therapy (calcitonin, etidronate) responded to treatment with Actonel 30 mg daily (defined by at least a 30% change from baseline). Each of these patients achieved at least 90% reduction from baseline in excess serum alkaline phosphatase levels with three patients achieving normalisation of serum alkaline phosphatase levels.
Histomorphometry of the bone was studied in 14 patients with paired bone biopsies. Nine patients had paired biopsies from pagetic bone lesions and five patients from nonpagetic bone. Bone biopsy results in nonpagetic bone did not reveal osteomalacia, impairment of bone remodelling or induction of a significant decline in bone turnover in patients treated with Actonel.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Absorption.

Risedronate is relatively rapidly absorbed (Tmax ≈ 1 hour) throughout the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Absorption is independent of dose over the range studied (single dose study, 2.5 to 30 mg; multiple dose studies, 2.5 to 5 mg daily and up to 150 mg monthly). In a 13 week pharmacokinetic study with 5 mg daily and 35 mg weekly and 50 mg weekly dosing (N ≈ 19/group), a comparison of the average serum concentration (Cavg) for 35 mg/week and 5 mg/day was not statistically significantly different. The 95% confidence interval for Cavg was 57.1-101.2, with a point estimate of 76.0% for the 35 mg dose compared to the 5 mg dose. Steady-state conditions in the serum are observed within 57 days of daily dosing. Mean oral bioavailability of the tablet is 0.63% and is decreased when risedronate is administered with food. Bioavailability was similar in men and women. Although administration of risedronate either 30 minutes prior to breakfast or 2 hours after dinner reduces absorption of risedronate by 55% compared to administration in the fasting state (i.e. no food or beverages for 10 hours prior to, or 4 hours after dosing), and administration one hour prior to breakfast reduces absorption by 30%, Actonel has been shown to be effective in clinical trials when administered 30 minutes (or longer) before the first meal or beverage of the day (e.g. breakfast) and also when administered 2 hours (or longer) prior to and following food or beverages at other times of the day.

Distribution.

The mean steady-state volume of distribution is 6.3 L/kg in humans. Human plasma protein binding of risedronate is about 24%. Preclinical studies in rats and dogs dosed intravenously with single doses of [14C] risedronate indicate that 40-45% of the dose was distributed in the bone after 72 hours. At the same time, risedronate levels in soft tissues of rats and dogs were at least 40 and 16 times lower than those in bone, respectively. The remainder of the dose was mainly excreted in the urine. This is likely to be considerably lower in humans who excrete 65% of an intravenously administered dose in the urine in 24 hours. After multiple oral dosing in rats, accumulation of risedronate was observed in bone but not in soft tissues.

Metabolism.

There is no evidence of systemic metabolism of risedronate.

Excretion.

Approximately half the absorbed dose is excreted in the urine within 24 hours. 85% of an intravenous dose is recovered in the urine over 28 days. Mean renal clearance is 105 mL/min and mean total clearance is 122 mL/min. The difference primarily reflects nonrenal clearance or clearance due to adsorption to bone. The renal clearance is not concentration dependent and there is a linear relationship between renal clearance and creatinine clearance. In the same pharmacokinetic study mentioned (see Absorption), the percent of dose excreted in urine was measured. The point estimate for the 35 mg versus 5 mg doses was 66.8% (95% CI, 48.0-95.8). Although this was statistically significantly different, the clinical relevance is unknown.
Unabsorbed risedronate is eliminated unchanged in the faeces. Following absorption, the serum concentration time profile is multiphasic with an initial half-life of about 1.5 hours and a terminal exponential half-life of 480 hours. Although the elimination rate from human bone is unknown, the 480 hour half-life is hypothesised to represent the dissociation of Actonel from the surface of the bone.

Special groups.

Gender.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics following oral administration are similar in men and women.

Use in the elderly.

Risedronate pharmacokinetics are similar in older subjects (age 45 to 76 years) with normal renal function (creatinine clearance 80 to 120 mL/min) to that observed in young subjects (age 18 to 45 years). No dosage adjustment is necessary (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Ethnicity.

Pharmacokinetic differences due to ethnicity have not been studied.

Use in renal impairment.

Risedronate is excreted intact primarily via the kidney. There is limited clinical data in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) and, therefore, Actonel is not recommended for this patient group.
No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with a creatinine clearance > 30 mL/min.

Use in hepatic impairment.

No studies have been performed to assess the safety or efficacy of Actonel in patients with hepatic impairment. Risedronate is not metabolised in rat, dog, and human liver preparations. Insignificant amounts (< 0.1% of intravenous dose) of risedronate are excreted in the bile in rats. Therefore, dosage adjustment is unlikely to be needed in patients with hepatic impairment.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Risedronate did not cause gene mutations in bacterial or mammalian cells in vitro, nor did it cause DNA damage in rat hepatocytes in vitro. In clastogenicity assays, risedronate was positive in an in vitro assay using Chinese hamster ovary cells at cytotoxic concentrations (7-18% cell survival), but there was no evidence of chromosomal damage when the assay was repeated at concentrations leading to 48-74% cell survival. Risedronate was negative at oral doses up to 1336 mg/kg in an in vivo assay (chromosomal aberrations in rat bone marrow).

Carcinogenicity.

No evidence of carcinogenicity was observed in either rats (treated for 104 weeks with up to 24 mg/kg/day) or mice (treated for 80 weeks with up to 32 mg/kg/day). Systemic exposure (serum AUC0-24 h) at the high dose in rats was 160 times greater than that in humans dosed at 30 mg/day. Systemic exposure was not assessed in mice, but the highest dose in the carcinogenicity study was at least 30 times higher than the dose required for pharmacological effects on bone. Thus, risedronate sodium appears to have no carcinogenic potential at therapeutic dose levels.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Each Actonel tablet contains risedronate sodium (5, 30 or 150 mg), lactose (5 or 30 mg tablets only), crospovidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, hyprolose, hypromellose, macrogol 400, macrogol 8000, colloidal anhydrous silica, iron oxide yellow (5 mg tablets only), indigo carmine (150 mg tablet only) and titanium dioxide.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Actonel 5 mg and 30 mg tablets are packaged in an opaque PVC/aluminium foil blister strip contained in a carton. The 5 mg tablets are supplied in pack sizes of 28 tablets and the 30 mg tablets are supplied in pack sizes of 28 tablets. Actonel 5 mg tablets: oval, yellow film-coated tablets with RSN embossed on one side and 5 mg on the other. Store below 25°C. Actonel 30 mg tablets: oval, white film-coated tablets with RSN embossed on one side and 30 mg on the other. Store below 25°C.
Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month tablets are packaged in a clear PVC/aluminium foil blister strip contained in a carton. The pack size is 1 tablet. Actonel 150 mg Once-a-Month tablets are oval, light-blue film-coated tablets with RSN on one side and 150 mg on the other. Store below 25°C.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Risedronate sodium is a fine, white to off-white, odourless, crystalline powder. It is soluble in water and in aqueous solutions and essentially insoluble in common organic solvents.

Chemical structure.

The chemical structure of risedronate sodium is the following:

Chemical name.

[1-hydroxy-2-(3- pyridinyl)ethylidene]bis(phosphonic acid) monosodium salt.

Molecular formula.

C7H10NO7P2Na.

Molecular weight.

305.10.

CAS number.

115436-72-1 (risedronate sodium).

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

Schedule 4- Prescription Only Medicine.

Summary Table of Changes