Boniva

Boniva is a medication that is used for preventing and treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. By binding to certain cells in bones, the drug can help prevent vertebral fractures and increase bone mineral density in the spine and hip. Boniva, which is available by prescription, comes in tablet and injectable form. Potential side effects include heartburn, diarrhea, and arm or leg pain.

 

What Is Boniva?

Boniva® (ibandronate sodium) is a prescription medication used to both treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It can be taken either daily or just once a month.
 
(Click Boniva Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Boniva is made jointly by GlaxoSmithKline and Roche Laboratories.
 

How Does Boniva Work?

Boniva belongs to a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. The drug binds to certain cells in bones and slows down the rate at which they break down.
 

Effects of Boniva

Boniva has been evaluated in a large study involving almost 3,000 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In this study, the drug reduced the risk of vertebral fractures (broken spinal bones) by about half. Boniva did not seem to reduce the risk of other types of broken bones. It also increased the bone mineral density (a measure of the strength of bones) in the spine and hip.
 
Boniva can also be used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with risk factors for the disease. In studies on osteoporosis prevention, women taking the drug showed increased bone mineral density, while those not taking it actually experienced bone loss.
 

When and How to Take It

General considerations for when and how to take Boniva include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form. Depending on the dose, it can be taken either daily or monthly. It also comes in an injectable form that is given by IV once every three months.
     
  • Boniva must be taken in the morning at least one hour before you eat or drink anything (other than water). You must wait at least an hour after taking the medication before eating or drinking anything other than water or taking any medications. Food, beverages, and medications can interact with Boniva and prevent it from being absorbed into the body.
     
  • Take Boniva with plain water only (not coffee, juice, soda, or even mineral water).
     
  • Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water while sitting or standing upright. Do not lie down within an hour of taking a dose of Boniva. The tablets should not be chewed, broken, or sucked on. These precautions are necessary to prevent the medication from irritating your esophagus.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Boniva will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing Information

The dose of Boniva your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Whether you prefer to take the drug daily or monthly
  • Whether you have difficulty taking oral medications
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Boniva Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Boniva

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Boniva. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
(Click Boniva Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

Boniva can potentially interact with a number of other medicines (see Boniva Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Boniva?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you:
 
  • Have low blood calcium (hypocalcemia)
  • Cannot sit or stand for one hour
  • Have kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Have difficulty swallowing or other problems with your esophagus
  • Have any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Boniva Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much Boniva may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Upset stomach
  • Heartburn or indigestion
  • Ulcers
  • Low levels of calcium or phosphate in the blood.
     
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Boniva Overdose for more information.)
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you take Boniva monthly and forget to take your dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember (in the morning), as long as it is at least one week until your next scheduled dose. Then continue with your regular schedule. However, if it is less than a week before your next tablet is due, simply skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
 
If you take Boniva daily, just skip your missed dose. Do not take a double dose, and do not take a dose after the morning.
 

Available Strengths

Boniva is available in the following strengths and forms:
 
  • Boniva 2.5 mg tablets (taken daily)
  • Boniva 150 mg tablets (taken monthly)
  • Boniva 1 mg per mL injection (taken every three months).
     

Generic Boniva

At this time, Boniva is not available in generic form (see Generic Boniva).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;