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Risedronate

Risedronate is a bisphosphonate (a bone-strengthening medicine) used to treat and prevent osteoporosis, including glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, to treat osteoporosis in men, and to treat Paget's disease of bone, depending on the product.

Brand names ActonelAtelvia
Drug class Bisphosphonate
Rx Forms 2
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 9 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 7, 2026
Risedronate at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Risedronate is a bisphosphonate that attaches to bone and slows the cells that break it down, used to treat or prevent osteoporosis and to treat Paget's disease of bone; it is a common first choice for osteoporosis, on the market since the late 1990s and available as a generic. Most people tolerate it well; indigestion, belly upset and back, joint or muscle aches are typical. The main risk is irritation of the esophagus (the swallowing tube), so follow the water and stay-upright rules exactly, and stop it and call your doctor for painful swallowing, chest pain or new heartburn. New thigh or groin pain deserves a prompt call too.

Clinical pearls

  • Regular tablets go before any food or drink; Atelvia, the delayed-release form, goes right after breakfast, so check your label.
  • Keep up your calcium and vitamin D, but take calcium, antacids, magnesium and iron at a different time of day.
  • If you take Atelvia, avoid acid reducers such as omeprazole or famotidine, which can change how the delayed-release tablet is released.
  • Tell your dentist before extractions or implants, and tell imaging staff before a bone scan, since risedronate can affect both.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet, Delayed-release tablet
Earliest FDA record1998
Companies listing it with the FDA8
FDA label last updatedNov 1, 2022
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Risedronate, written from its FDA label.

What Risedronate is used for

▾

Risedronate is a bisphosphonate used for several bone conditions, depending on the product.

  • Treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis (risedronate sodium tablets)
  • Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets, including Atelvia)
  • Treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis (risedronate sodium tablets)
  • Treatment and prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women starting or continuing long-term steroid treatment (risedronate sodium tablets)
  • Treatment of Paget's disease of bone in men and women (risedronate sodium tablets)

How Risedronate works

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Risedronate sticks to bone mineral and slows osteoclasts, the cells that break bone down. This reduces bone turnover and bone loss.

In steroid-related osteoporosis, it lowers bone breakdown without directly blocking bone formation.

Risedronate dosage

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Risedronate is taken by mouth. The tablet types are taken differently, so follow the instructions for your product.

  • Risedronate sodium tablets: taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before the first food, drink or medicine, with 6 to 8 ounces of plain water. Schedules range from daily to monthly depending on the condition.
  • Delayed-release tablets: taken once a week in the morning right after breakfast with at least 4 ounces of plain water.
  • Stay upright for 30 minutes and swallow whole.
  • Missed weekly dose: take one tablet the morning after you remember, then return to your usual day. Never take two tablets on the same day. Missed-dose rules for monthly schedules differ, so ask your pharmacist.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Risedronate prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis (film-coated tablet)
    • One 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily
    • Or one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week
    • Or one 75 mg tablet orally, taken on two consecutive days for a total of two tablets each month
    • Or one 150 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-month
    • Swallow whole with 6 to 8 ounces of plain water at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day; avoid lying down for 30 minutes
  • Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
    • One 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily
    • Or one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week
    • Alternatively, one 75 mg tablet orally, taken on two consecutive days for a total of two tablets each month may be considered
    • Or alternatively, one 150 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-month may be considered
    • Take at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water
  • Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in Men with Osteoporosis
    • One 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week
    • Take at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water
  • Treatment and Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
    • One 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily
    • Take at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day other than water
  • Treatment of Paget's Disease
    • 30 mg orally once daily for 2 months
    • Retreatment may be considered (following post-treatment observation of at least 2 months) if relapse occurs, or if treatment fails to normalize serum alkaline phosphatase
    • Dose and duration for retreatment are the same as for initial treatment
    • No data are available on more than 1 course of retreatment
  • Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis (delayed-release tablet)
    • One 35 mg delayed-release tablet orally, taken once-a-week
    • Take in the morning immediately following breakfast with at least 4 ounces of plain water, not under fasting conditions; avoid lying down for 30 minutes; do not chew, cut, or crush
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: 5 mg daily, 35 mg once-a-week, 75 mg two consecutive days each month, 150 mg once-a-month ( 2.1 ) Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: 5 mg daily, 35 mg once-a-week ( 2.2 ) Men with Osteoporosis: 35 mg once-a-week ( 2.3 ) Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis: 5 mg daily ( 2.4 ) Paget's Disease: 30 mg daily for 2 months ( 2.5 ) Instruct patients to: • Swallow tablet whole with 6 to 8 ounces of plain water, at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or medication of the day. • Avoid lying down for 30 minutes ( 2 ) • Take supplemental calcium and vitamin D if dietary intake is inadequate ( 2.7 ) 2.1 Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis [see Indications and Usage (1.1)] The recommended regimen is: • one 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily or • one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week or • one 75 mg tablet orally, taken on two consecutive days for a total of two tablets each month or • one 150 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-month 2.2 Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis [see Indications and Usage (1.1)] The recommended regimen is: • one 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily or • one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week or • alternatively, one 75 mg tablet orally, taken on two consecutive days for a total of two tablets each month may be considered or • alternatively, one 150 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-month may be considered 2.3 Treatment to Increase Bone Mass in Men with Osteoporosis [see Indications and Usage (1.2)] The recommended regimen is: • one 35 mg tablet orally, taken once-a-week 2.4 Treatment and Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis [see Indications and Usage (1.3)] The recommended regimen is: • one 5 mg tablet orally, taken daily 2.5 Treatment of Paget's Disease [see Indications and Usage (1.4)] The recommended treatment regimen is 30 mg orally once daily for 2 months. Retreatment may be considered (following post-treatment observation of at least 2 months) if relapse occurs, or if treatment fails to normalize 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 1 course of retreatment.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Risedronate side effects

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In studies, the most common side effects were:

Common side effects

  • Back pain
  • Joint pain (arthralgia)
  • Abdominal (belly) pain
  • Indigestion (dyspepsia)
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle pain
  • Nausea
  • Constipation

When to get medical help

  • Trouble or pain when swallowing, chest pain behind the breastbone, or new or worsening heartburn: stop the medicine and get medical help.
  • New thigh or groin pain: this could signal an unusual femur (thigh bone) fracture, so see your doctor.
  • Severe bone, joint or muscle pain: tell your doctor, who may stop the medicine.
  • Jaw pain, or slow healing after dental work: this could be osteonecrosis of the jaw (damage to jaw bone).
  • Signs of low calcium (hypocalcemia): tell your doctor right away.
  • Swelling of the face or throat, a widespread rash, or blistering or peeling skin: get urgent help.
  • Eye inflammation (iritis, uveitis): rare, but report it.

Call your doctor promptly for painful swallowing, chest pain, new heartburn, severe bone, joint or muscle pain, new thigh or groin pain, jaw problems, or allergic reactions like facial swelling or blistering skin.

Risedronate warnings and precautions

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  • Esophagus and stomach irritation: can be severe, especially if you lie down after a dose, skip the full glass of water, or keep taking it despite symptoms.
  • Low calcium: must be corrected before starting. Get enough calcium and vitamin D.
  • Jaw osteonecrosis: linked to dental procedures, poor oral hygiene and some other therapies; the risk may rise with longer use.
  • Severe bone, joint or muscle pain: can start within a day or after several months.
  • Unusual thigh fractures: thigh or groin pain may be an early warning.
  • Kidneys: not recommended in severe kidney impairment.
  • Do not take both delayed-release and regular risedronate tablets.
  • Needed treatment length should be rechecked regularly.

Risedronate interactions

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Several common products reduce how much risedronate your body absorbs.

  • Calcium supplements and antacids: lower absorption, so separate them.
  • Magnesium supplements or laxatives, and iron: also interfere with absorption.
  • PPIs and H2 blockers: can speed release of delayed-release tablets; not recommended together.
  • Aspirin and NSAIDs: upper stomach and gut side effects occurred in some users.
  • Food and other drinks: other than plain water, they can interfere with the regular tablets.
  • Estrogen therapy: use together has not been studied.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Risedronate prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Calcium supplements/antacids: Co-administration of a tablet containing 600 mg of elemental calcium and 400 international units vitamin D reduced risedronate bioavailability by approximately 38% when risedronate was given following breakfast. Should not be taken together; take at a different time of the day.
  • Magnesium-based supplements or laxatives: Interfere with the absorption of risedronate sodium. Should not be taken together; take at a different time of the day.
  • Iron preparations: Interfere with the absorption of risedronate sodium. Should not be taken together; take at a different time of the day.
  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Drugs that raise stomach pH may cause faster drug release from delayed-release products; esomeprazole increased Cmax by 60 percent and AUC by 22 percent. Concomitant administration is not recommended.
  • Histamine 2 (H2) blockers: Drugs that raise stomach pH may cause faster drug release from enteric coated (delayed-release) products such as risedronate sodium. Concomitant administration is not recommended.
  • Hormone therapy (estrogens and estrogen agonist/antagonists): Concomitant use with risedronate sodium has not been studied.
  • Aspirin/Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: In the Phase 3 study, 18% of NSAID users in both groups developed upper gastrointestinal adverse reactions; among non-users, 13% on 35 mg once-a-week and 12% on 5 mg daily did.
  • Hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes (for example, Cytochrome P450): Risedronate is not metabolized and does not induce or inhibit these enzymes.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Risedronate is not metabolized and does not induce or inhibit hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes (for example, Cytochrome P450). Calcium supplements, antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H 2 blockers, magnesium-based supplements or laxatives, and iron preparations interfere with the absorption of risedronate sodium (7.1, 7.2) 7.1 Calcium Supplements/Antacids When risedronate sodium was administered following breakfast, the co-administration of a tablet containing 600 mg of elemental calcium and 400 international units vitamin D reduced risedronate bioavailability by approximately 38% [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Calcium supplements, antacids, magnesium-based supplements or laxatives, and iron preparations interfere with the absorption of risedronate sodium and should not be taken together. 7.2 Histamine 2 (H 2 ) Blockers and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Drugs that raise stomach pH (for example, PPIs or H 2 blockers) may cause faster drug release from enteric coated (delayed-release) drug products such as risedronate sodium. Co-administration of risedronate sodium with the PPI, esomeprazole, increased risedronate bioavailability. The maximum plasma concentration (C max ) and the area under the plasma concentration (AUC) were increased by 60 percent and 22 percent, respectively. Concomitant administration of risedronate sodium and H 2 blockers or PPIs is not recommended. 7.3 Hormone Therapy Concomitant use of risedronate sodium with estrogens and estrogen agonist/antagonists has not been studied. 7.4 Aspirin/Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs In the Phase 3 study comparing risedronate sodium 35 mg once-a-week immediately following breakfast and risedronate sodium 5 mg daily, 18% of NSAID users (any use) in both groups developed upper gastrointestinal adverse reactions.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿23 supplements and herbs with documented Risedronate interactions, ranked by severity Check Risedronate against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Risedronate

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  • Do not take it with esophagus narrowing or slow emptying, low blood calcium, an inability to stay upright for 30 minutes, or allergy to risedronate.
  • Tell your doctor about heartburn, swallowing trouble, ulcers, gastritis or Barrett's esophagus.
  • Not recommended in severe kidney impairment.
  • Pregnancy: stop when pregnancy is recognized. Breastfeeding: your doctor will weigh benefits and risks.
  • Not indicated for children.
  • Older adults: no overall differences in safety or effectiveness were seen, though greater sensitivity in some cannot be ruled out.
  • Liver problems: not studied, but dose changes are unlikely to be needed.
  • Before steroid-related osteoporosis treatment, sex hormone status should be checked.

Risedronate overdose

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A large overdose can lower blood calcium and phosphorus and may cause symptoms of low calcium. Seek emergency care or call Poison Control. Treatment may include removing unabsorbed drug from the stomach and giving calcium.

What Risedronate does in the body

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Risedronate lowers the high bone turnover seen in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bone breakdown markers fall within about 14 days, and bone turnover is lowest by about 6 months, staying stable for up to 3 years. In Paget's disease, bone turnover returned to normal in most people treated for 2 months.

How your body processes Risedronate

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Very little risedronate is absorbed by mouth, and food reduces absorption of regular tablets. About 60% of absorbed drug goes to bone in animal studies. It is not metabolized, and the rest leaves through the urine; unabsorbed drug leaves in stool. Kidney impairment slows clearance.

How to store Risedronate

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Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F) . Dispense in well-closed containers as defined in USP.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

23

Supplements & herbs that interact with Risedronate

23 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Risedronate in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 1
  • Moderate · 13
  • Minor · 9
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major CALCIUM Moderate COFFEE CHARCOAL Moderate DOLOMITE Moderate EUROPEAN MANDRAKE Moderate GLUCOMANNAN Moderate GUAR GUM Moderate GUM ARABIC Moderate +15 more
Every supplement checked against Risedronate — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 1 major · 13 moderate · 9 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Risedronate against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Risedronate: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Risedronate — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is risedronate for?

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It helps strengthen bones. Depending on the product, it treats or prevents osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, treats osteoporosis in men, treats or prevents steroid-related osteoporosis, and treats Paget's disease. The delayed-release tablets are only for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

How do I take it correctly?

▾
Regular tablets go down whole with a full glass of plain water at least 30 minutes before food, drink or other medicines. Delayed-release tablets are taken right after breakfast with at least 4 ounces of water. With both, stay upright for 30 minutes and never chew or crush them.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
Back pain, joint pain, belly pain and indigestion are the most common. Call your doctor if you have painful swallowing, chest pain, new heartburn, severe bone or muscle pain, or new thigh or groin pain.

Can I take my calcium or antacid with it?

▾
Not at the same time. Calcium, antacids, magnesium products and iron can block absorption, so take them at a different time of day. Do get enough calcium and vitamin D, as your doctor advises.

What if I miss a weekly dose?

▾
Take one tablet the morning after you remember, then go back to your usual day. Never take two tablets on the same day.

Is it safe in pregnancy?

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There is not enough human data to know the risk, and animal studies showed harm. Stop it and tell your doctor if you become pregnant. If you may become pregnant, talk with your doctor.

Is Risedronate available over the counter?

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No. Risedronate is a prescription medicine: every Risedronate product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Risedronate first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Risedronate is from 1998: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Risedronate was first used.

Who makes Risedronate?

▾
8 companies currently list Risedronate products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Apotex Corp.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Risedronate on HelloPharmacist

📊Risedronate supplement interactions23 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerRisedronate vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Risedronate NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Risedronate Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Risedronate forms and strengths (how it comes)

Risedronate is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Risedronate inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Risedronate sodium tablets treat and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.
  • Risedronate sodium tablets treat osteoporosis in men and treat and prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
  • Risedronate sodium tablets treat Paget's disease of bone in men and women.
Important instructions
  • Take risedronate sodium tablets at least 30 minutes before the first food, drink or medicine of the day.
  • Swallow whole with 6 to 8 ounces of plain water and avoid lying down for 30 minutes.
  • Do not chew or suck risedronate sodium tablets.
  • Schedules vary by condition (daily, weekly, twice monthly or monthly), so follow your prescriber's directions.
Available strengths 5 strengths
5 mg 30 mg 35 mg 75 mg 150 mg
55 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Delayed-release tablet

By mouth
Brands Atelvia
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets are used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Important instructions
  • Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets are taken once a week in the morning right after breakfast.
  • Swallow whole upright with at least 4 ounces of plain water; do not chew, cut or crush.
  • Stay upright for 30 minutes after taking risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets.
  • If a weekly dose is missed, take one tablet the morning after remembering; never take two on the same day.
Available strengths 1 strength
35 mg
1 FDA-listed product record ⓘ

Risedronate on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Risedronate appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

8 companies list 21 Risedronate product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet, delayed-release tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1998. Brand names on the directory include Actonel, Atelvia; the rest are generics.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
8
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
1
Brand names
21
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1998
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (9) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.24%
Aurobindo Pharma Limited19%
Apotex Corp.14%
Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited14%
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.14%
Hangzhou Minsheng Binjiang Pharmaceutical CO., Ltd5%
Other makers10%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Risedronate is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Risedronate is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Risedronate is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

3,370
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$122,209 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Risedronate prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Risedronate ranks #1,107 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 31% of them.

Where Risedronate ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #1,107 of 1,601
#1,102 Testosterone Topical 3,571 Rx #1,103 Abrocitinib 3,567 Rx #1,104 Azilsartan 3,540 Rx #1,105 Ipilimumab Injection 3,521 Rx #1,106 Thiothixene 3,413 Rx #1,107 Risedronate 3,370 Rx #1,108 Bromfenac Ophthalmic 3,370 Rx #1,109 Azilsartan Kamedoxomil... 3,319 Rx #1,110 Acitretin 3,315 Rx #1,111 Clemastine 3,305 Rx #1,112 Ezetimibe / Simvastati... 3,300 Rx

Utilization by Risedronate product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 150 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Risedronate product — about 29% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

risedronate sodium 150 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

963 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 29% of Risedronate prescriptions shown $38,180 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $40 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 7 of 16 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 905028

risedronate sodium 35 MG Oral Tablet

731 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 22% of Risedronate prescriptions shown $18,131 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $25 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 5 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 905024

risedronate sodium 5 MG Oral Tablet

133 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 4% of Risedronate prescriptions shown $8,947 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $67 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 15 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 905041

Other Risedronate products — combination packs and listings not yet matched to a specific clinical product (kept visible so every prescription is accounted for)

1,543 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 46% of Risedronate prescriptions shown $56,950 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $37 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 34 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity.

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Risedronate, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 14 of 70 listed Risedronate NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Risedronate products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Risedronate — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 21 of 21 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 21 Risedronate NDCs →

Risedronate recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list one Risedronate recall since July 2021. It is no longer listed as ongoing. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Class III Mar 10, 2022 · Terminated · Macleods Pharma Usa Inc
FAILED CONTENT UNIFORMITY SPECIFICATIONS
  • Risedronate Sodium Tablets, USP, 5 mg, Rx Only, 30-count bottle, Manufactured for: Macleods Pharma USA, Plainsboro, NJ 08536, Manufactured by: Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., BAddi, HImchal Pradesh, I… Lots: Lot #: BRD2001A, Exp 5/2022 FDA record D-0762-2022 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Risedronate RxCUI 73056 2 dose forms · 6 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Delayed Release Oral Tablet RxCUI 1020063 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 35 MG RxCUI 1020064

Look up RxCUI 73056 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Risedronate costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet, Film Coated · Oral 35 mg $1.60 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Film Coated · Oral 5 mg $1.52 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Film Coated · Oral 150 mg $12.91 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Delayed Release · Oral 35 mg $25.10 per tablet NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Risedronate brand names

Risedronate is sold under 2 brand names in the FDA directory — Actonel, Atelvia. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Actonel Atelvia

Who makes Risedronate: manufacturers and labelers

8 companies list Risedronate products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Apotex Corp.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 5 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 4 Apotex Corp. 3 Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited 3 Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 3 Hangzhou Minsheng Binjiang Pharmaceutical CO., Ltd 1 Proficient Rx LP 1 Sun Pharmaceutical Industires Inc. 1

Sources for this Risedronate page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Nov 1, 2022
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Risedronate.
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Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
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Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Risedronate after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
9
Finished products in the current FDA directory
21
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
8
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
8
Linked representative label ⓘ
Proficient Rx LP
Linked label effective
Nov 1, 2022
Composite sections available
22
Linked SPL Set ID
81702f21-3117-49ce-8e9b-2aa2648ba7c3
Linked SPL Document ID
81702f21-3117-49ce-8e9b-2aa2648ba7c3
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Proficient Rx LP is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →