Atelvia and gastrointestinal toxicity – pro
Risedronic acid(Atelvia) is a bisphosphonate used to strengthen bone, treat or prevent osteoporosis, and treat Paget’s disease of bone. It is recommended that risedronate be taken with the body upright, and followed by a glass of water. Moreover, it is recommended that no food or drink other than water be taken for 2 hours before and 30 minutes after taking risedronate. Risedronate has a faster esophageal transit time and a different chemical chain which results in less gastrointestinal side-effects than other drugs in this class. The dosage instructionssay that risedronate can be taken with less water than other drugs in the class. It is taken weekly but risedronate is also available as a 75mg tablet to be taken on two consecutive days each month (2CDM) in order to optimize patient adherence. These factors may make it preferred for use in the elderly.
M.R McLung et al, Efficacy and safety of a novel delayed-release risedronate 35 mg once-a-week tablet. Osteoporos Int. 2012 January; 23(1): 267–276.
McClung MR, Balske A, Burgio DE, Wenderoth D, Recker RR.
Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with delayed-release risedronate 35 mg weekly for 2 years.Osteoporos Int. 2013 Jan;24(1):301-10.
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