Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Boniva.
Chemical Name: IBANDRONATE (i-BAN-droh-nate)
Boniva 150mg is a bisphosphonate used to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis (weak bones) in certain women. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Boniva 150mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, naproxen). Tell your doctor if you have had or will be having chemotherapy or radiation treatment. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including low blood vitamin D levels, cancer, anemia, blood clotting problems, an infection, calcium metabolism problems, nutrient absorption problems (eg, malabsorption syndrome), poor dental hygiene or other dental problems, an upcoming dental procedure (eg, tooth extraction), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation, ulcer), esophagus problems (eg, narrowing, blockage, heartburn, reflux disease, severe irritation), or kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have difficult or painful swallowing, if you smoke or drink alcohol, or if you are unable to take calcium or vitamin D supplements. Tell your doctor if you have a mental disorder or other condition that may decrease your ability to follow the dosing instructions for Boniva 150mg. USE OF BONIVA 150mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have severe kidney problems, low levels of calcium in your blood, certain esophagus problems (eg, narrowing, blockage), or if you are unable to sit upright or stand for at least 60 minutes. Use of Boniva 150mg in CHILDREN is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving Boniva 150mg to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Boniva 150mg.
Follow the directions for using Boniva 150mg provided by your doctor. Boniva 150mg has MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Boniva 150mg. Take Boniva 150mg by mouth. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, chew, or suck on the tablet before swallowing. Boniva 150mg is effective only when taken on an empty stomach. TAKE BONIVA 150mg with 6-8 ounces (180 to 240 mL) of PLAIN WATER ONLY (not mineral water) first thing in the morning, at least 60 minutes before you eat, drink anything other than plain water, or take any other medicines. DO NOT LIE DOWN for 60 minutes after taking Boniva 150mg. Calcium or iron supplements, vitamins, or antacids containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum may interfere with the absorption of Boniva 150mg. Take these products and any other medicines at least 60 minutes after taking Boniva 150mg. STORE BONIVA 150mg at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. KEEP BONIVA 150mg out of the reach of children and away from pets. Take Boniva 150mg regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking Boniva 150mg at the same time each month will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE BONIVA 150mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF BONIVA 150mg and your next scheduled dose is more than 7 days away, take the missed dose on the morning after you remember, and then return to your original dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses within one week of each other. If your next dose is 1 to 7 days away, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose of Boniva 150mg and you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
DO NOT TAKE BONIVA 150mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take Boniva 150mg for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP USING BONIVA 150mg without first checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Your doctor may also want to evaluate you periodically while you take Boniva 150mg to assess the need to continue treatment. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking Boniva 150mg. BONIVA 150mg MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use Boniva 150mg. Boniva 150mg may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Boniva 150mg. Using Boniva 150mg alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. BONIVA 150mg CAN CAUSE pain or trouble swallowing, heartburn, or rarely, ulcers in your stomach or esophagus. Taking Boniva 150mg with plenty of water and remaining upright as directed will help to reduce your risk of these problems. Discuss the benefits and the risks of Boniva 150mg with your doctor. CERTAIN FRACTURES OF THE THIGH BONE (FEMUR) have been reported in patients using bisphosphonates. It is unknown if bisphosphonates contributed to the fractures. Contact your doctor right away if you experience hip, thigh, or groin pain. BONIVA 150mg MAY CAUSE JAW BONE 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 150mg. Ask your doctor any questions you may have about dental treatment while you use Boniva 150mg. WHILE YOU ARE USING BONIVA 150mg, brush and floss your teeth carefully. Also, have regular dental check-ups. Certain dental procedures should be avoided if possible while you are using Boniva 150mg. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Boniva 150mg. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines containing aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Boniva 150mg during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF BONIVA 150mg IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Boniva 150mg, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Boniva 150mg include headache; stomach upset; dizziness; nausea; diarrhea; constipation; mild flu-like symptoms; mild arm, back, leg, muscle, or joint pain; or vomiting. Contact your doctor if they continue or are bothersome. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; coughing up blood; eye pain; jaw pain or swelling; mouth sores; new, worsening, or persistent heartburn; painful or difficult swallowing; 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 stomach pain; 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; vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds. An allergic reaction to Boniva 150mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Boniva
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Drink a full glass (8 oz/240 mL) of milk. Do not lie down until your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not try to vomit. Symptoms of overdose may include muscle weakness, spasms, twitching, or cramps; numbness or tingling in the fingers, toes, or around the mouth; seizures; severe heartburn; or stomach pain or upset.
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 150mg. Talk to your doctor about the use of weight-bearing exercises to help prevent weak bones. DO NOT SHARE BONIVA 150mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE BONIVA 150mg for other health conditions. IF USING BONIVA 150mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.