Boniva

Ibandronate, also known and sold under the trade name of Boniva, is a product which belongs to the group of drugs known as bisphosphonates. This medication is used in the treatment and prevention of bone loss – a condition known as osteoporosis, which usually occurs within women in menopause. By treating and preventing bone loss, it helps reducing the chances of bone fractures.

It is considered to work by slowing the bone loss so that the bones would remain strong. This medication is available:

• In the form of a solution - for intravenous route.
• In the form of a tablet - for oral route.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential side effects and risks.

For this decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make. During the consultations with your doctor, it is essential to inform the doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reaction to any specific type of food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within pediatric patients. However, this medication could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Geriatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within geriatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within geriatric patients. However, this medication could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown how this medication would affect the fetus. However, this medication could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. It is unknown if this medication is extracted in the milk, or how would it affect the infant. This medication is not recommended to be used within breastfeeding. However, this medication could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur. However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of a combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.
• Other interactions – Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific type of food, tobacco and alcohol. Because of this, it is essential to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet, and discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol during the treatment.
• Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – anemia, blood clotting problems, cancer, dental problems, dental procedures, poor oral hygiene, infections, diabetes, surgery, heart disease, hypertension, hypocalcemia, hypovitaminosis D, or kidney disease.

For proper use, follow the directions given by your doctor. This medication is available in the form of a solution. It is applied intravenously, using a needle in a specific vein on the hand. It is usually given by the doctor or by a healthcare professional, at the hospital, but you as well could be trained to apply the medication intravenously, yourself at home.

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to visit your doctor regularly to receive your following dose, or remember to apply the following dose at home. In case you forget a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up.

This medication is harmful in case of an overdose or swallowing. If you suspect an overdose or swallowing, contact the doctor as soon as possible.

Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments. At these appointments your doctor would be able to apply the following dose, track your condition and make any adjustments if needed. These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or discontinue the treatment with this medication if there are any serious side effects present, that would worsen your condition or if your condition does not improve.

Inform the doctor about any allergic reaction to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this product may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur. Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

A good advice is to start using at least two types of birth control to help prevent pregnancy during the treatment. Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers.

Along with its expected beneficial effects, there are potential side effects that need to be expected. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor right away for further directions.

• Common side effects – headache, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, tiredness, joint/muscle pain), or injection site reactions (redness, swelling). These are common side effects which are not considered as serious side effects. However, if their presence persists or worsens, inform the doctor as soon as possible.
• Serious side effects – increased or severe joint/bone/muscle pain, new or unusual groin/hip/thigh pain, jaw pain, changes in the amount of urine, and vision changes. These are considered as serious side effects, whose presence must be reported to the doctor as soon as possible.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, swelling/itching of the face/tongue/hands/feet, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.