Boniva (ibandronate sodium) A Medical Guide to Boniva, Uses, Doses & Boniva Side Effects
Boniva (ibandronate sodium) is a once a month prescription medication for osteoporosis treatment in women of postmenopausal age. It works by slowing bone loss while increasing bones mass in order to prevent bone fracture.
The generic name of Bonita is ibandronate. It belongs to the biphosphonates family of drugs that has the capability to manipulate bone formation and bone breakdown of the body.
Uses:
- Generally, Boniva prevents bone fractures by increasing bone mass and slowing down bone loss. It is also used by post menopausal women to prevent osteoporosis.
Other uses:
- Ibandronate may have other uses which are not listing here.
Boniva Side Effects
The common and less serious side effects are:
- Headache
- Redness or swelling of the eyes or the area where the medicine is injected
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Upset stomach
- Pain of the limbs
More serious side effects are:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Serious back pain
- Chest pain
- Persistent heartburn
- Muscle or joint pain
- Numbness or pain in the jaw
If you feel intense pain when swallowing, pain under the ribs or back, chest pain, severe muscle, joint, bone and jaw pain, report it immediately to your physician and seek medical help without further ado.
Withdrawals:
Adverse reactions are present in the digestive system such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Dosage/ How to Take the Medicine:
- Tablets - You should take one tablet per a month or once per a day depending on your prescribed dosage. It should be taken before eating or drinking anything in the morning - not afternoon or evening. After swallowing the tablet whole, you should not eat, sit, recline or drink beverages other than water for 60 minutes until medication is fully absorbed.
- You cannot take this medicine lying down and must not use little water. Use full glass of water to help the drug digest and dissolve quickly.
- Injections - Your nurse or your doctor will give you the injections as prescribed. Normally the intravenous solution or the injection is used once every three months.
What to avoid if you are Boniva:
- If you are taking this medicine, do not take any other medication including vitamins, supplements or any herbal medications. Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs while using this medicine. Inform your doctor if you are taking any prescriptions other than this to avoid any untoward reaction.
Warnings:
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to ibandronate. Also, you should not use it if you are suffering from, or have the following conditions: kidney disease, (hypocalcaemia) or low blood calcium levels, stomach ulcer, or have trouble swallowing. Women taking this drug may develop osteonecrosis or bone loss in the jaw.
Boniva is FDA pregnancy category C rated. It is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor is you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this drug. It is possible that this medication can pass into breast milk. Speak with your doctor if you're nursing before you take this medication.
Boniva should be partnered with the right kind of diet and exercise routine. Always listen to what your physician has to say and comply with it to achieve the full effect of the medication. Have your bone mineral density tested regularly to check for its effectiveness. If you want more information about the drug, you can ask your pharmacists about it.