Ibandronate, Oral

Type of medicine: bisphosphonate (reduces bone loss)

Generic and brand names: ibandronate, oral; Boniva

This medicine is used to prevent or treat osteoporosis (bone loss) in men and postmenopausal women (those who have stopped having monthly periods).

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• hypocalcemia (below-normal calcium levels in your blood)
• kidney disease
• problems or pain when swallowing
• ulcers or diseases of the stomach or esophagus.

Tell your health care provider if you are not able to sit or stand upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed.

Take it with a full glass (8 ounces) of plain water (not mineral water, coffee, tea, or orange juice) while you are standing or sitting upright. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, chew, or let the tablet dissolve in your mouth.

Do not take this medicine at bedtime. Do not lie down for at least 60 minutes after taking this medicine. This will keep it from irritating your mouth and throat.

Do not take this medicine with, or soon after you eat, drink beverages other than water, or take other medicines. It will make this medicine less effective. Wait at least 60 minutes before taking any food, beverage, or any other medicine.

Your health care provider may prescribe a supplement that contains calcium and vitamin D. Take calcium and vitamin D supplements, antacids, or any other medicine at least 60 minutes before or after this medicine.

If you use the daily tablets and miss a once-daily morning dose, do not take it later in the day. Skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

If you use the monthly tablets and miss a dose, take the tablet in the morning after the day you remember if your next monthly dose is more than 7 days away. Do not take 2 doses within the 7 days of each other. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

You may need a bone density test before you start taking this medicine. Your health care provider may want to test you again after 6 to 12 months to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Difficulty or pain on swallowing, severe heartburn, bloody vomit, black or bloody bowel movements, eye pain, stomach pain.

Other: Dizziness, diarrhea, gas, headache, upset stomach, muscle pain.

Wait at least 30 to 60 minutes after taking this medicine before eating or drinking. ALL foods and drinks can make this medicine less effective.

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and natural remedies may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium such as Maalox or Mylanta (take at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine)
• aspirin (take at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine)
• calcium supplements and vitamin D (take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine)
• iron supplements and iron-containing products (take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), and sulindac (Clinoril).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.