Boniva

Pronunciation: eye-BAN-droe-nate
Generic Name: Ibandronate
Brand Name: Boniva

Boniva is used for:

Treating osteoporosis (weak bones) in women who are past menopause.It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Boniva is a bisphosphonate. It works by slowing bone loss and allowing new bone to be formed.

Do NOT use Boniva if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Boniva


• you have severe kidney problems or low levels of calcium in your blood

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Boniva:

Some medical conditions may interact with Boniva. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have cancer, anemia, or blood clotting problems, kidney problems, or if you have an infection


• if you have low blood calcium levels, low blood vitamin D levels, or you are unable to take calcium or vitamin D supplements


• if you have poor dental hygiene or other dental problems, or an upcoming dental procedure


• if you have had or will be having chemotherapy or radiation treatment

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Boniva. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of jawbone problems may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Boniva may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Boniva:

Use Boniva as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Boniva comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Boniva refilled.


• Boniva is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Boniva if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the prefilled syringe is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• IF YOU MISS YOUR SCHEDULED DOSE OF Boniva contact your doctor to reschedule it as soon as possible. Do not receive your injection more often than once every 3 months.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Boniva.

Important safety information:

• Boniva may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you use it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Boniva with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a calcium and vitamin D supplement while you use Boniva.


• Talk to your doctor about the use of weight-bearing exercises to help prevent weak bones.


• Certain fractures of the thigh bone (femur) have been reported in patients using bisphosphonates. It is not known if bisphosphonates contributed to the fractures. Contact your doctor right away if you experience hip, thigh, or groin pain. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Boniva may cause jawbone problems in some patients. Your risk may be greater if you have cancer, poor dental hygiene, or certain other conditions (eg, anemia, blood clotting problems, infection, dental problems). Your risk may also be greater if you have certain dental procedures or you are using certain medicines or therapies (eg, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, radiation). Talk to your doctor about having a dental exam before starting Boniva. Ask your doctor any questions you may have about dental treatment while you use Boniva.


• Proper dental care is important while you are using Boniva. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.


• Certain dental procedures should be avoided if possible while you are using Boniva. Tell your doctor or dentist that you use Boniva before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Boniva may interfere with certain lab or diagnostic tests that use a bone-imaging agent. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know that you are using Boniva.


• Lab tests, including bone density, kidney function, and blood calcium levels, may be performed while you use Boniva. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Your doctor may also want to evaluate you periodically while you use Boniva to assess the need to continue its treatment. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Boniva should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Boniva while you are pregnant. It is not known if Boniva is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Boniva, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Boniva:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; heartburn; mild arm, back, leg, muscle, or joint pain; mild flu-like symptoms (eg, mild fever, chills, tiredness, weakness, joint or muscle aches); nausea; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in the amount of urine produced; eye pain; painful or difficult urination; severe bone, joint, or muscle pain (especially in the hip, groin, or thigh); severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent heartburn or stomach pain; swelling or pain in your jaw; symptoms of low blood calcium (eg, spasms, twitches, or cramps in your muscles; numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, or around your mouth); vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Boniva side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include mental or mood changes; muscle weakness, spasms, twitching, or cramps; numbness or tingling in the fingers, toes, or around the mouth; seizures; sluggishness; vomiting.

Proper storage of Boniva:

Boniva is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Boniva at home, store Boniva as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Boniva out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Boniva, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Boniva is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Boniva. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Boniva resources

• Boniva Side Effects (in more detail)
• Boniva Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Boniva Drug Interactions
• Boniva Support Group
• 12 Reviews for Boniva - Add your own review/rating

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