Treating Altevia and Just Ordinary Risedronate Side Effects

Stomach pain from the generic or even brand-name pill is an issue for many.

Your spouse needs to take it on a large, starchy breakfast. Think a giant low-fat substantial (whole grain) bready biscuit or a tall stack of spongy pancakes. I follow my bready biscuit with a section of steamed, green plantain (I have a limited diet and its density helps with the pill).

Make it a much bigger breakfast than on other mornings.

Also two glasses of water with the pill. Absolutely do this. This is recommended by my specialist MD. I drink very little with the meal so I am thirsty when I take my pill.

If I don't do these two things, Atelvia causes stomach pain for me (I have a very weak digestive tract).

I have never had any of the listed side effects (other than stomach pain if I don't eat enough before taking the pill).

See if you can find the frequency of the listed side effects. They may be low.

I am on my second five-year stint of Atelvia.

Thanks so much for that information, @researchmaven. My wife eats usually eats modest-sized meals, so I hope she will try to follow your advice re: food and water. Also, she likes her coffee, with a little milk, at breakfast. Do you know if that's ok?
Can she take another med when she wakes up (before breakfast)?
Can she have a small amount of milk or yogurt (small portions contain small amounts of calcium) with breakfast?
How long after taking the pill immediately after breakfast, can she have additional food or coffee or other meds?
If she does get stomach pain, does Tylenol help?
I know you're not a doctor, but maybe you or others following this conversation may have answers in light of their own experience. Thanks again!

The instructions with my Atelvia say to take calcium supps, antacids, magnesium-based supps/laxatives or iron preps at a different time of day, as they interfere with absorption. The instructions are silent on what to eat for breakfast.

Will a little bit of cow's milk in coffee before breakfast hurt the Atelvia? I don't know. Milk/yogurt with breakfast, I don't know.

The instructions say to take the Atelvia immediately after breakfast, so definitely do that.

I do know that, for me, the Atelvia pill needs to be carefully handled. It can really hurt my stomach (bad pain) if I don't do the right setup. For sure, your wife's stomach is better than mine. She can experiment; see what works.

Regarding meds and supps before breakfast, I always take an SSRI upon rising and dietary enzymes before every meal, even on my Atelvia day. I don't need to take any med or supp after Atelvia until lunch. Check with the doctor on your wife's meds and when she should take them after Atelvia.

Also, no laying down for 30 minutes after taking the pill.

Thanks again for all the information - you are indeed a maven!