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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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ACTONEL (NDA-020835)

(RISEDRONATE SODIUM)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

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02/03/2026 (SUPPL-54)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.6 Atypical Fractures Including Femoral Fractures

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

Atypical, low-energy, or low trauma fractures of the femoral shaft have been reported during treatment with bisphosphonates, including risedronate, in patients with osteoporosis. Atypical femur and other fractures most commonly occur with minimal or no trauma to the affected area. These fractures occurred anywhere in the femoral shaft from just below the lesser trochanter to above the supracondylar flare and are traverse or short oblique in orientation without evidence of comminution. Atypical fractures of other bones have also been reported. They may be bilateral. These fractures can also occur in osteoporotic patients who have not been treated with bisphosphonates. Concomitant treatment with glucocorticoids may also induce these fractures.

 

Prodromal pain in the affected area, usually presenting as dull, aching thigh pain, weeks to months before a complete fracture occurs was reported by patients.

 

Any patient with a history of bisphosphonate exposure who presents with thigh or groin pain should be suspected of having an atypical fracture and should be evaluated to rule out an incomplete femur fracture. Bony pain in other locations should also be considered for evaluation of atypical fracture. Patients presenting with an atypical fracture should also be assessed for symptoms and signs of fracture in the contralateral limb. Risk/benefit of continuing bisphosphonate therapy should be re-evaluated in these patients and interruption of bisphosphonate therapy should be considered.

6 Adverse Reactions

Newly added information

The following clinically significant adverse drug reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

 

  • Drug Products with the Same Active Ingredient [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

  • Upper Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]

  • Mineral Metabolism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]

  • Jaw Osteonecrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]

  • Musculoskeletal Pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]

  • Atypical Fractures Including Femoral Fractures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]

  • Renal Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]

  • Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]

  • Laboratory Test Interactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]


6.2 Postmarketing Experience

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ACTONEL or bisphosphonate products. Because these adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

. . .

Musculoskeletal

Bone, joint, or muscle pain, described as severe or incapacitating, have been reported rarely [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]; low-energy femoral shaft and subtrochanteric fractures, and atypical fractures of other bones, [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

. . .

17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

. . .

ACTONEL can cause serious side effects including:

. . .

5. Unusual breaks in thigh and other bones

. . .

5. Unusual breaks in thigh and other bones.

Some people have had unusual bone breaks, including the thigh bone, when taking ACTONEL. A break in the thigh bone can feel like a new pain in your hip, groin, or thigh. People taking ACTONEL can also have breaks in other bones.

11/05/2019 (SUPPL-52)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

PLLR conversion; additions and/or revisions underlined:

Risk Summary

Available data on the use of ACTONEL in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug- associated risk of adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Discontinue ACTONEL when pregnancy is recognized.

In animal reproduction studies, daily oral administration of risedronate to pregnant rats during organogenesis decreased neonatal survival and body weight at doses approximately 5 and 26 times, respectively, the highest recommended human daily dose of 30 mg (based on body surface area, mg/m2). A low incidence of cleft palate was observed in fetuses of dams treated at doses approximately equal to the 30 mg human daily dose. Delayed skeletal ossification was observed in fetuses of dams treated at approximately 2.5 to 5 times the 30 mg human daily dose.

Periparturient mortality due to maternal hypocalcemia occurred in dams and neonates upon daily oral administration of risedronate to pregnant rats during mating and/or gestation starting at doses equivalent to the 30 mg daily human dose.

Bisphosphonates are incorporated into the bone matrix, from which they are gradually released over a period of years. The amount of bisphosphonate incorporated into adult bone and available for release into the systemic circulation is directly related to the dose and duration of bisphosphonate use. Consequently, based on the mechanism of action of bisphosphonates, there is a potential risk of fetal harm, predominantly skeletal, if a woman becomes pregnant after completing a course of bisphosphonate therapy. The impact of variables such as time between cessation of bisphosphonate therapy to conception, the particular bisphosphonate used, and the route of administration (intravenous versus oral) on this risk has not been studied.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

In animal studies, pregnant rats received risedronate sodium during organogenesis at doses equivalent to 1 to 26 times the 30 mg human daily dose (based on body surface area, mg/m2). Survival of neonates was decreased in dams treated during gestation with oral doses approximately 5 times the human dose, and body weight was decreased in neonates of dams treated with approximately 26 times the human dose. A low incidence of cleft palate was observed in fetuses of dams treated with oral doses approximately equal to the human dose. The number of fetuses exhibiting incomplete ossification of sternebrae or skull of dams treated with approximately 2.5 times the human dose was significantly increased compared to controls. Both incomplete ossification and unossified sternebrae were increased in fetuses of dams treated with oral doses approximately 5 times the human dose.

No significant ossification effects were seen in fetuses of rabbits treated with oral doses approximately 7 times the human dose (the highest dose tested). However, 1 of 14 litters were aborted and 1 of 14 litters were delivered prematurely.

Periparturient mortality due to maternal hypocalcemia occurred in dams and neonates when pregnant rats were treated daily during mating and/or gestation with oral doses equivalent to the human dose or higher.

8.2 Lactation

PLLR conversion; additions and/or revisions underlined:

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of risedronate in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. A small degree of lacteal transfer occurred in nursing rats. The concentration of the drug in animal milk does not necessarily predict the concentration of drug in human milk. However, when a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ACTONEL and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from ACTONEL or from the underlying maternal condition.

Data

Animal Data

Risedronate was detected in neonates of lactating rats given a single oral dose of risedronate at 24-hours post-dosing, indicating a small degree of lacteal transfer.

17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)

MEDICATION GUIDE

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

What should I tell my doctor before taking ACTONEL?

Before you start ACTONEL, be sure to talk to your doctor if you:

  • Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or suspect that you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking ACTONEL, stop taking it and contact your doctor.