Home HealthTopics Health Centers Reference Library Research
Join us on Facebook Join us on Facebook Share on Facebook
Share

Pharmacy and Medications

Actenol

08/15/2007

Question:

TODAY ON THE NEW A MEDICINE USED FOR OSTEOPOROSIS AND PREVENTION OF LUNG CANCER HAS BEEN SHOW TO INCREASE THE RISK OF STROKE AND HEART ATTACK. DOES ACTENOL HAVE THE SAME DANGER. HOW ABOUT TUMOR GROWTH WITH ACTENOL?

Answer:

The Food and Drug Administration just ok'd the use of Evista, a medicine for osteoporosis, to prevent breast cancer. This approval has caused debate regarding Evista's use because of the risk for stroke and heart attacks. The stroke and heart attack risk from Evista is due to its increased potential of forming blood clots.

Actonel, also a medicine for osteoporosis, does not appear to have the same significant danger for strokes and heart attacks. Actonel works differently than Evista and thus does not cause the blood clots that may result in strokes/heart attacks.

Actonel is associated with some potentially dangerous side effects which include:

Studies have also shown that Actonel has been associated with abnormal prostate cell growth (3%) which may or may not lead to cancer.

As with the use of any medicine, the doctor and patient must discuss and consider the risk versus benefit in using Actonel for osteoporosis, as well as Evista for osteoporosis and breast cancer prevention.

For more information on Evista (raloxifene): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a698007.html

For more information on Actonel (risedronate): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601247.html#side-effects

Submitted by Huglyn D. Balase, Pharm D Candidate, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy

For more information:

Go to the Pharmacy and Medications health topic, where you can:

Response by:

The Ohio State University Carmen M Hadley, RPh, CSPI
Clinical Instructor
Central Ohio Poison Center
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
College of Pharmacy
The Ohio State University