Like all medicines, risedronate can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
Common side effects
These common side effects of risedronate happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Constipation
Eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try to exercise more regularly, by going for a daily walk or run for example.
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids such as water or squash to avoid dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours , your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Indigestion, bloating, stomach pain or wind
Make sure you follow the instructions for taking risedronate carefully and sit or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking it. It might help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly.
If the symptoms get worse, contact your doctor straight away.
Feeling sick (nausea)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Mild muscle, bone or joint pain
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Talk to your doctor if the pain lasts longer than a week or is severe.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Some people may have serious side effects when taking risedronate.
Tell a doctor or call 111 straight away if you have:
- heartburn (or heartburn that gets worse), or problems or pain when swallowing – these may be signs of ulcers in your food pipe. If this happens, stop taking risedronate and speak to a doctor
- a loose tooth, mouth sores, or swelling or pain in your mouth or jaw – contact your dentist as well as your doctor, as this could be a sign of damage to your jawbone
- pain, weakness or discomfort in your thigh, hip or groin – this happens rarely but may be an early sign of a broken thigh bone
- severe pain in the joints, muscles or bones
- ear pain, discharge from your ear or an ear infection – these can be signs of damage to the bones in your inner ear
- black or red poo – these can be signs of an ulcer or bleeding from your gut
- blurred vision, light sensitivity, or painful or red eyes – these can be signs of swelling of the eye
- muscle cramps or spasms, a tingling sensation in your fingers or around your mouth – these can be symptoms of low calcium levels in your blood
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, risedronate may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Long-term side effects
For a very small number of people, taking risedronate for more than 2 years can increase their chances of getting a rare type of bone damage in their inner ear and certain types of breaks to their thigh bones.
If risedronate is working for you long term, your doctor will look at the benefits and risks of your treatment after 5 years. They may do some tests to check the strength (density) of your bones. Then they'll advise you if you should keep taking it.
The benefits of taking risedronate generally outweigh the risks. If you're concerned or have any questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of risedronate. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.