risedronate (brand name: Actonel)

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A drug that builds bone strength. It works by increasing the activity of the cells that make new bone. It is used to treat osteoporosis. It is also being studied for:

• reducing the risk of bone pain caused by cancer that has spread to the bone
• treating hypercalcemia (when calcium levels in the blood are too high)

It belongs to the group of drugs called bisphosphonates. Aredia (chemical name: pamidronate) and Zometa (chemical name: zoledronic acid) are other bisphosphonates.

Read more in Breastcancer.org's section on Bone Health.

Audio contributed by: Shirley Jones