Boniva and/or Equivalents
| Drug | Related Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Boniva 50mg and/or Equivalents | Ibandronate, Ibandronic Acid |
| Boniva 150mg and/or Equivalents | Bonviva, Ibandronate, Ibandronic Acid |
Boniva (ibandronate)
Boniva Description
Boniva is the trade name of ibandronate sodium. It is a biphosphonate drug and is marketed in the United States by GlaxoSmithKline and Roche Laboratories. Menopausal women are more prone to osteoporosis due to hormonal changes occurring in their body. Boniva is used for the treatment of this. It can also be used for prevention of osteoporosis in menopausal women.
Chemically, ibandronate comes under the category of biphosphonates. They have a high affinity for hydroxyapatite in the bone; this can explain their action. The bones in the body are a living tissue they are constantly broken down and reformed. Certain cells called osteoclasts as it is termed do the breaking down of the bones or reabsorption. In postemenopausal osteoporosis, the effect of bone reabsorption is more pronounced. Ibandronate inhibits the activity of these cells and consequently the process of reabsorption is reduced. Therefore, when you consider the overall turnover, there is a gain in the bone mass due to the inhibition of reabsorption.
Conditions Treated By Boniva
Boniva is used for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Long-term administration of this drug will also help prevent osteoporosis. The action of Boniva is in a dose dependent manner.
Boniva Dosage Information
a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations
Boniva can be taken either daily or once a month. You should take either a 2.5 mg daily or a 150mg dose once a month on the same date every time. There are some measures to be taken while taking the medication. You must take your medication at least 60 minutes before consuming your first food or drink of the day. Water is permitted, however. Other medications and supplements are also included in this. Boniva can cause esophageal irritation and to prevent this you must take your medication with a glass of water, while in an upright position. You must not lie down for around half an hour. After you take your medication, you must not have anything for the next one hour.
You must have the medication only with plain water and not with anything else. Chewing or sucking the tablet must be avoided as it can lead to ulcers. You must not exceed your recommended dosages.
b.) Missing a dose
If you miss your daily dose, then you must wait until the next day and have it as normal. Skip the missed dose and do not overdose to make up for the missed dose. If you miss your monthly dose, then the process is a little complicated. Depending on the time left for your next dose, you may or may not take the medication. If there is less than one week left for your next schedule date, then you must skip the missed dose. You must wait until the scheduled date and then resume your normal schedule by having a 150mg tablet on the morning of the scheduled date. If there is more than one week left for your next dose, then you may take the medication. Take the medication on the morning following the day you remember. You should then return to your original schedule and take a Boniva tablet according to the scheduled date.
You must always leave a gap of one week between two monthly doses.
c.) Overdosing
If you overdose on your medication, then it may lead to certain complications such as gastrointestinal effects. These include upset stomach, stomach pain, muscle cramps, heartburn etc. you must have milk. Milk will bind to Boniva and prevent any damage. You should not induce vomiting as this can cause esophageal irritation and this is not desired. You must seek immediate medical attention.
Boniva Warnings
Ibandronate is a biphosphonate. Like most biphosphonates, it causes irritation of the lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract. For patients who have gastrointestinal problems, caution is advised while taking Boniva. The risk of esophageal complications increases if you lie down after consuming medication or do not take it with a glassful of water as advised. Due to this, the table passes through the esophagus slowly and causes irritation.
If you suffer from hypocalcemia and other bone metabolic disorders, then you must get them treated before you begin Boniva therapy. You must take adequate calcium and Vitamin D supplements to prevent hypocalcemia. Boniva can also cause debilitating pain in the bones, muscles and the joints. Discontinuing the therapy will lead to relief. Also, if you suffer from any renal problems, then you must consult with your doctor before starting the therapy.
Boniva Side Effects
Boniva may or may not cause side effects and this varies from user to user. The common side effects of Boniva are:
- dyspepsia
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- pain in the arms, legs or back etc.
If these conditions persist for a long period or worsen, then you must consult your doctor. The more severe side effects include but are not limited to:
- severe or persistent heartburn
- pain or trouble in swallowing
- chest pain
You may also develop an allergic response to the drug, these include:
- hives
- rashes
- itching
- swelling of the mouth, face etc
In case you develop any of these severe side effects, then you must discontinue the medication and resort to professional help immediately.
Possible Drug Interactions with Boniva
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
Boniva is a biphosphonate and can interfere with the absorption of biphosphonates in the body when taken with the following:
- Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
- Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin)
- Calcium 600 D (calcium/vitamin d)
- rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- Omega 3 (docosahexanoic Acid/epa/fish Oil)
- gabapentin (Neurontin)
- hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril)
- levothyroxine (Synthroid)
- atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- lisinopril (Zestril/Prinivil)
- metoprolol xl (Toprol xl, Betaloc CR)
- esomeprazole (Nexium)
- omeprazole (Prilosec)
- prednisone (Deltasone)
- simvastatin (Zocor)
- tramadol (Ultram)
- cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2)
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
Therefore, you must take Boniva atleast 60 minutes before you consume any dietary supplements. This will help in the absorption of Boniva. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause irritation of the gastro-intestinal tract. If these are consumed along with Boniva, then they can have an additive effect. Therefore, their concomitant use must be avoided.
Proton pump blockers such as Zantac (ranitidine) can increase the availability of Boniva by around 20%. These are some of the drugs that interact with Boniva. It is very important that you discuss your medications with your doctor before you start Boniva therapy.
If you have any questions about buying discount Boniva online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.
Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Boniva and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information
