Boniva

Generic name: ibandronate
Drug class: Bisphosphonates

Dosage form: Tablet
Root of administration: Oral/Injection
Dose:

• Boniva tablets: 150 mg taken once per month, or 2.5 mg taken once daily
• Boniva injection: 3 mg given every 3 months (administered by a healthcare provider)

Mechanism of action: Boniva is a bisphosphonate medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent bone fractures.
Drug usage cases: Boniva is prescription medicine used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. Ibandronate helps increase bone mass and helps reduce the chance of having a spinal fracture.

Drug contra indications: You should not use Boniva if you have severe kidney disease or low levels of calcium in your blood.
Side effects:

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain, new or worsening heartburn
• difficulty or pain when swallowing
• pain or burning under the ribs or in the back
• severe heartburn, burning pain in your upper stomach, or coughing up blood
• new or unusual pain in your thigh or hip
• jaw pain, numbness, or swelling
• severe joint, bone, or muscle pain
• low calcium levels – muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingly feeling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes).

Warnings: Do not take a tablet if you have problems with your esophagus, or if you cannot sit upright or stand for at least 60 minutes after taking the tablet.
Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: It is not known whether ibandronate will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether ibandronate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.