Ibandronate (Injection)

Brand Name(s)

Boniva

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a dental problem, kidney disease, or other diseases that may affect your kidneys, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have trouble absorbing minerals in your stomach (malabsorption syndrome).
• Your doctor should know if you have any type of vitamin or mineral deficiency or imbalance.
• Your doctor may instruct you to take extra calcium and vitamin D supplements. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about taking this medicine with other supplements. Taking too much vitamin D can be harmful.
• You may need to have a dental exam before you start using this medicine.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine, especially if you are having dental surgery.
• Make sure you tell your doctor about any new medical problems, especially with your teeth or jaws. Tell your doctor if you have severe bone, joint, or muscle pain while using this medicine.
• This medicine may increase your risk of developing fractures of the thigh bone. This may be more common if you use it for a long time. Check with your doctor right away if you have a dull or aching pain in the thighs, groin, or hips.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blood in the urine, lower back pain, side pain, or sharp back pain just below the ribs.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Difficult, burning, or painful urination.
• Fever, chills, cough, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and body aches.
• Headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Pain or other problems with your teeth or jaw.
• Severe bone, muscle, joint, or back pain.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, constipation, nausea or vomiting, or stomach pain or upset.
• Headache.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle was placed.
• Vision changes or eye redness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Ibandronate (eye-BAN-droe-nate)

Treats or prevents weak bones (osteoporosis) in postmenopausal women.