Ibandronate

Introduction

Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD 
Updated on October 25, 2023

Ibandronate (eye BAN droh nate) is a generic medication prescribed for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis after menopause. Ibandronate belongs to a group of drugs called bisphosphonates.

Common questions about ibandronate

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about ibandronate.

What brand names are available for ibandronate?

No brand-name versions of ibandronate are available. The former brand-name version of ibandronate called Boniva is discontinued in the United States. So, at this time, ibandronate is available only as a generic medication. 

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does ibandronate work? And how long does it take to start working?

In adults, bones are constantly being broken down and rebuilt. With osteoporosis, your bones lose their strength and become weaker and thinner. Ibandronate works to prevent and treat osteoporosis by slowing the breakdown of your bones.* Its mechanism of action (the way it works) increases your bone mass. This increase can make your bones thicker and stronger. 

Ibandronate works gradually over time to prevent or stop the breakdown of your bones. It may take about 6 months for you to see improvement in your bone mineral density test. This test measures the amount of minerals, especially calcium, in your bones.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

* Ibandronate oral tablet treats and prevents osteoporosis after menopause. But ibandronate injection is used only to treat osteoporosis after menopause. It’s given by intravenous (IV) infusion, which is an injection given into your vein over time.

Side effects of ibandronate

Ibandronate may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below include more common mild side effects of ibandronate and its serious side effects. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about ibandronate’s side effects, see this article* or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for ibandronate listed in the “Resources” section.

* This article discusses side effects of Boniva, the former brand-name version of ibandronate. Its side effects and those of ibandronate are similar. (Boniva is discontinued in the United States.) 

Mild side effects

The list below includes more common mild side effects reported with some forms of ibandronate. These side effects may differ based on the form of ibandronate you take. 

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about ibandronate’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for ibandronate listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Ibandronate oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• diarrhea
• back pain
• indigestion
• bronchitis
• mild allergic reaction*

Ibandronate injection’s† mild side effects include:

• joint pain
• back pain
• flu-like symptoms
• stomach pain
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for ibandronate” section.
† Ibandronate injection is given by intravenous (IV) infusion. An IV infusion is an injection given into your vein over time.

Serious side effects

The list below includes serious side effects of ibandronate. These side effects may differ based on the form of ibandronate you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about ibandronate’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for ibandronate listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible, but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number. 

In general, ibandronate’s serious side effects include:

• low calcium levels
• severe bone, joint, or muscle pain
• osteonecrosis of the jaw 
• thigh fracture
• severe allergic reaction*

For ibandronate oral tablet, the following serious side effects also may occur:

• problems with the esophagus, which is the tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for ibandronate” section.

Uses of ibandronate

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as ibandronate for certain conditions. The approved use for ibandronate is described below. This use differs based on the form of ibandronate prescribed.

Use for osteoporosis

Doctors may prescribe ibandronate oral tablet for treating and preventing osteoporosis after menopause. And they may prescribe ibandronate injection* for treating osteoporosis after menopause, but not for preventing it. Both forms are for adults. They’re usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With osteoporosis, your bones lose their strength and become weaker and thinner. This happens when your body loses bone faster than it can make bone. Women who’ve gone through menopause may be at a higher risk of osteoporosis because they have lower levels of sex hormones. 

Osteoporosis may raise your risk of having fractures, even during routine activities such as standing or walking. Ibandronate can prevent and treat osteoporosis by slowing the breakdown of your bones. (Ibandronate injection only treats it.) This can make your bones thicker and stronger.

Doctors may not prescribe ibandronate oral tablet or injection in certain situations. For example, this might occur if you have a low risk of developing fractures and you’ve already taken ibandronate for 3–5 years. In this case, your doctor may have you stop taking the drug. 

* Ibandronate injection is given by intravenous (IV) infusion. An IV infusion is an injection given into your vein over time.

Interactions and warnings for ibandronate

Below, you’ll find information about ibandronate’s possible interactions and warnings. 

Interactions of ibandronate

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction. 

Before you take ibandronate, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for ibandronate” section below.

Warnings for ibandronate

Ibandronate could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether ibandronate is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of ibandronate you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for ibandronate, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Ibandronate can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to ibandronate or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely won’t prescribe ibandronate. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems 

If you have an allergic reaction to ibandronate, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of ibandronate

You should not take more ibandronate than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much ibandronate, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have symptoms that concern you, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and ibandronate

This section presents information about ibandronate and pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Ibandronate and pregnancy

It’s not known whether ibandronate should be taken during pregnancy. 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 should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. 

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know whether you have questions about ibandronate or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What do I do if I miss a dose of ibandronate?
• What’s the best way to take ibandronate?
• Are there any drug interactions I should try to avoid while taking ibandronate?
• Are there any alternative medications that I can take for my osteoporosis?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Ibandronate sodium injection, for intravenous use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9fad4982-95af-d711-f50a-867311835143/spl-doc
• Ibandronate sodium tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/dd674424-b151-d7eb-3acf-b1589347f2f7/spl-doc

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.