This article describes possible side effects of ibandronate oral tablet. You can learn more about ibandronate by talking with your doctor.
Ibandronate oral tablet is a generic medication. Its brand-name version, Boniva, was discontinued and is no longer on the market. Ibandronate also comes in an injectable form, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of ibandronate
Ibandronate oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of ibandronate oral tablet include:
- back pain
- indigestion (upset stomach)
- arm or leg pain
- diarrhea
- headache
Mild side effects of ibandronate
Ibandronate may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of ibandronate oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- back pain
- indigestion
- arm or leg pain
- diarrhea
- headache
- muscle pain
- flu-like symptoms
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- respiratory infections, such as the common cold, flu, or bronchitis
Ibandronate oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of ibandronate
Ibandronate may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from ibandronate oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with ibandronate.
Serious side effects of ibandronate oral tablet that were reported include:
- low blood calcium levels*
- severe bone, joint, or muscle pain*
- esophagus problems†
- jaw bone problems*†
- thigh fractures*†
* This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of ibandronate in detail” section below.
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Get free cardAllergic reaction
For some people, ibandronate oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to ibandronate oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Common questions about side effects of ibandronate
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of ibandronate oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does ibandronate oral tablet cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases ibandronate oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with ibandronate oral tablet include:
- esophagus problems
- thigh fractures
- jaw bone problems
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask them for more information about how long these side effects of ibandronate oral tablet may last. You can also learn more about these side effects in the “Side effects of ibandronate in detail” section below.
Does ibandronate have any contraindications?
Yes. Certain health conditions or other factors may increase some of the risks of ibandronate. Because of this, doctors typically won’t prescribe ibandronate in these cases. These are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of ibandronate contraindications:
- having an unusual esophageal structure that can slow the emptying of your esophagus
- being unable to stand or sit upright for at least 1 hour
- having low blood calcium levels
- having past allergic reaction to ibandronate tablets or any of its ingredients
If you have more questions about ibandronate contraindications, talk with your doctor.
Side effects of ibandronate in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of ibandronate oral tablet.
Esophagus problems
Ibandronate oral tablet can cause esophagus problems. The esophagus is a tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Problems include ulcers (sores), bleeding, inflammation (swelling), narrowing, or holes in the lining of your esophagus. In rare cases, these problems can be serious and require treatment in a hospital.
Symptoms may include:
The risk of esophagus problems is higher if you don’t take ibandronate correctly. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take ibandronate.
Ways to manage
To lower the risk of esophageal problems, take ibandronate oral tablet exactly as directed by your doctor. Be sure to:
- swallow ibandronate oral tablet with 6 to 8 ounces (oz) of plain water
- take each dose while standing or sitting upright
- avoid lying down for at least 1 hour after taking ibandronate oral tablet
- avoid eating, drinking anything except plain water, or taking other medications for at least 1 hour after taking your dose
If you experience symptoms of esophageal problems, stop taking ibandronate and tell your doctor.
Jaw bone problem
In rare cases, ibandronate oral tablet can cause a jaw bone problem known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). But it’s important to note that this side effect wasn’t seen during studies of ibandronate oral tablet. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking ibandronate oral tablet, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if ibandronate was the cause.
With ONJ, part of the jaw bone can be exposed through your gums. Symptoms may include pain in the mouth, swelling of the gums, loose teeth, and difficulty chewing.
Certain factors can increase the risk of ONJ with ibandronate oral tablet. These may include difficulty sticking to good mouth hygiene, having invasive dental procedures, and cancer.
Ways to manage
To lower the risk of ONJ, it’s important to practice good mouth care while taking ibandronate. If you develop symptoms of ONJ, tell your doctor right away. They can determine if you should stop ibandronate and discuss treatment options with you.
Thigh fractures
In rare cases, ibandronate oral tablet can cause thigh bone fractures (breaks). But it’s important to note that this side effect wasn’t seen during studies of ibandronate oral tablet. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking ibandronate oral tablet, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if ibandronate was the cause.
Thigh bone fractures can occur in either leg and with only light force to the thigh bone. Symptoms may include new or unusual pain in the hip, groin, or thigh. It may also include a dull ache in your thigh that lasts weeks or months before the fracture occurs.
You may have a higher risk of thigh fractures with ibandronate oral tablet if you take corticosteroid medications.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of a thigh fracture, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely order tests to check for a fracture. They can also determine if you should stop taking ibandronate.
Warnings for ibandronate
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking ibandronate oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take ibandronate oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether ibandronate oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking ibandronate oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and the medications you take. Things to consider include:
- stomach or digestive problems
- problems with swallowing
- low blood calcium levels
- kidney disease
- upcoming dental procedures
- problems absorbing nutrients
- difficulty sitting or standing up for a long time
- pregnant or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to ibandronate
Ibandronate and pregnancy
It’s not known whether ibandronate oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. However, this drug is prescribed to people who have gone through menopause. It’s not approved for use in people who are able to get pregnant. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ibandronate and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether ibandronate oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. However, this drug is prescribed to people who have gone through menopause. It’s not approved for use in people who are able to get pregnant. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ibandronate and alcohol
Ibandronate oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, drinking large amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. This means alcohol can reduce the effect of ibandronate oral tablet, which is used to treat and help prevent osteoporosis.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with ibandronate oral tablet.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.