Ibandronate (i-BAN-droh-nate)

Treats or prevents osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Brand Name(s):

Boniva

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• This medicine is sometimes used daily, or as one tablet taken one time per month. If you are on a monthly dosing schedule, take the medicine on the same date each month.
• You must take this medicine first thing in the morning, at least 1 hour (60 minutes) before you eat or drink anything.
• Swallow this medicine with a full glass of water (6 to 8 ounces). Plain tap water is the only liquid you should use to take this medicine. Avoid coffee, juice, soft drinks, mineral water, or any other type of beverage. These other liquids can change the way your body absorbs the medicine, making it less effective.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• To protect your esophagus from irritation, do not lie down or bend over for at least 60 minutes after taking the medicine. If you sit down, keep your upper body as upright as possible. Do not eat or drink anything, or take any other medicines or supplements for at least 60 minutes after taking this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss your monthly dose or you forget to take your medicine, wait until the next morning to take it. Then return to your regularly scheduled day of the month for taking your next dose.
• If you miss your monthly dose and your next dose is 7 days or less away, wait until then to take your medicine and skip the missed dose.
• If you miss your daily dose or you forget to take your medicine, wait until the next morning to take it.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• It is best not to take this medicine with food or milk, or together with an antacid or products containing calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron. Wait at least 60 minutes after taking ibandronate before eating, drinking, or taking other medicines.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using pain or arthritis medicine (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, Advil®, Voltaren®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, anemia (low levels of healthy red blood cells), blood clotting problems, or dental problems. Your doctor should also know if you have had cancer, or if you are being treated with cancer drugs, radiation, or steroids.
• This medicine can irritate your esophagus (the tube that runs from your throat to your stomach). Tell your doctor if you have any condition that affects your stomach, your esophagus, or your digestion.
• Your doctor should know if you have any type of vitamin or mineral deficiency or imbalance.
• Your doctor may instruct you to take extra calcium or vitamin D supplements. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about taking this medicine with other supplements. Taking too much vitamin D can be harmful.
• Your doctor may recommend weight-bearing exercise or diet changes to further decrease your risk of osteoporosis. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can increase your risk of osteoporosis, so it is best to avoid these things.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine, especially if you are having dental surgery.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Burping or belching that causes burning in your throat.
• Changes in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination.
• Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and body aches.
• Heartburn or pain behind your breastbone.
• Pain or trouble swallowing.
• Severe bone, joint, or muscle pain.
• Severe headache and dizziness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, pain in your upper stomach.
• Mild headache and dizziness.
• Mild joint or muscle pain.
• Pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Weakness.