Get Informed: Boniva

42

Patient Comments about
Boniva

Active Ingredient(s)

Ibandronate Sodium

What does it do?

Boniva

This product is used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It works by reducing bone resorption and turnover.

Last Text Update:
 2010-Mar-13 1:08 PM
Last Data Update:
 2010-Mar-12 9:01 PM

Other Names

  • Boniva
  • Ibandronic Acid
  • Ibandronate Sodium

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
0: On hold
Pregnancy Category:
C
Black Box Warning:
No

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
16 May 2003
Est US Patients*
664,300
Generic Available
No
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

1

< 21

4

21-39

33

40-59

62

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Boniva or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Boniva

There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Boniva during the past year.

Boniva Safety Report

0: On hold

The iGuard risk rating for Boniva is on hold. It means that we're waiting for more patients taking this medication to join iGuard before we can provide a more accurate safety assessment of this product.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Boniva interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Boniva used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 4,400 patients that use Boniva (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Osteoporosis 100% 4
Breast Cancer 3% 5

How well does Boniva work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,400 users taking Boniva (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

61 62
80%
of patients are confident that the good things about Boniva outweigh the bad things.
10%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Boniva.

Common Side Effects of Boniva

iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,400 users taking Boniva (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

20%

20% of patients experience side-effects on Boniva

3%

3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Boniva


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 5% Heartburn/Reflux
  • 5% Abdo Pain/Cramps
  • 5% Constipation
  • 5% Muscle Pain/Cramps
  • 5% Bone/Joint Pain
  • 5% Headache
  • = 10%

Global Patient Feedback for Boniva (Ibandronate Sodium) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I have been taking Boniva for 4 years. I have rebuildt some bone mass and have experienced no side effects.

57 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-03-12 14:16:24

Question/Comment:

I have been taking boniva for 3 years and my latest bone scan shows improvement in the bone mass. However, I have such pain in my lower lumbar region and I understood it came from arthritis and spinal stenois. However, after reading the reviews from women who also experience lower back pain, I'm thinking twice about the side effects of Boniva. I am now going to ask my doctor if that is where my back pain comes from. I will comment when I see my doctor in April.

75 year old female

77 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-10 15:39:36

Answer/Reply:

I am also taking boniva for 2 yers now I also have lower back pain ... for about 2 to 3 weeks after my pill it it hits really hard and getts lesser as the weeks go by ...
What/where are the reviews you read ...
Thanks

58 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-16 21:14:32

Answer/Reply:

Some times the backs of my thighs (back of the tops of my legs) hurt. Is this from the Boniva?

60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-04-28 12:25:22

Answer/Reply:

Does Boniva give back pain, as I have a lower back pain when I walk. What should I do? Discontiue Boniva? Age going on 77.

78 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-19 21:27:57

Answer/Reply:

I have been on Boniva for a year now and improvement can be seen on the bone scan. I myself have had no side effects from taking it and do not experience lower back pain.






58 year old female

59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-24 16:00:40

Answer/Reply:

I have been taken boniva for about four years, amd each year, I show an improvement in the bone density scan, with the exception of last year - there was no increase at all, and am not too sure why! Additionally, I pulled my lower back badly last August, and was told that I have degenerative disk disease. I have osteopenia, not osteoporosis. But, in any event, I too see my rheumatologist regarding the medicaiton in April and we will see why there was no increase in bone mass, and how this lower back issue came into play.

50 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-03-24 16:27:42

Answer/Reply:

Boniva, is a Drug like most can cause side effects, that could be a minor,
co-existing Kidney recurrent infection from the buildup of Caltrates.
TheresaSchmitt, Former Med Student

45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-04-15 12:39:47

Question/Comment:

I have been taking Boniva for one year now, and just went to my doctor for my annual checkup. I told her that I was experiencing constant pain in my left hip, and she said it was just bursitis and had me to continue taking the Boniva for another year until I can have another bone density test. I do not have any acid reflux problems, but I have just began having some pain in my right jaw. I was not aware that this was a side effect of Boniva until I read your reviews. Now I am doubting if I should continue to take it. What should I do?

56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2008-11-14 16:54:36

iGuard Answer/Reply:

If it were my body, I would stop right now. I was fine until I took Boniva ( 1 tab June, 1 tab July)
I am better, but was in constant pain....hips, shoulders etc all summer. Ibuprofen helps, but I limit this. We are dealing with some inflammatory process that I think this drug starts. I would not recommend anyone to try these drugs. I'm sorry I did. I am waiting it out, since I don't this anyone knows a real treatment.

Posted: 2008-11-18 14:37:41

iGuard Answer/Reply:

I debated for 2 years on taking boniva, and jumped in and took it Jan. 1 2009
wish I had looked up "boniva comments" before I started it, I have had stomach
pain and running to the bathroom every since I started this pill.

Will not take another one will take more calicum, and D and hope for the best
these side effects are not worh it and mine are mild compared to others.

I would advise and tell people not to take this PILL.

Posted: 2009-01-07 12:55:46

Question/Comment:

This is the 3rd year that I have been on Boniva, having some mild jaw pain & wondering if it has to do with the Boniva, not sure who to have check it out Dr., or Dentist?
dg

75 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2008-11-11 11:29:37

Answer/Reply:

Please see a dentist. There have been rare cases of necrosis of the jaw (bone dying). This occurs mostly with the IV form of these drugs but it would be wise to check it out ASAP to make sure. Pain in the jaw is one of the symptoms of necrosis.
However, I would also check with your doctor. Jaw pain can also be a symptom of heart disease, ischemia (not getting enough oxygen to your heart), and even a heart attack.

56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2009-08-18 13:38:11

Question/Comment:

3rd year of being on Boniva, some mild jaw pain, a concern not sure if I should keep of the use of it.
dg

75 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2008-11-11 11:24:06

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