General information
Osteoporosis in women after 50 years is a common pathology characterized by a decrease in the density of bone tissue due to calcium deficiency. According to statistics, every third woman who has stepped over this age suffers from pathological fractures caused by the pathological process of osteoporosis.
The medicaments of the main choice in the curing of female patients aged 50 years and older include biophosphates. One of the best is generic Boniva (ibandronate sodium), a prescription product that medicates and anticipates osteoporosis by altering osseogenesis and breakdown in the organism. This can delay bone mass loss and may prevent bone fractures. Ibandronate helps increase bone content and helps diminish the probability of having a spinal fracture.
Nonproprietary name: ibandronate sodium 3mg in 3mL; Dosage band: injection, solution, oral tablet
Curing with biophosphates lasts at least 5-6 years. The formation of bone fractures is notably diminished already after the curing just begun.
What is Boniva?
How does Boniva work?
How should Boniva be taken?
What are the side effects of Boniva?
Who should not take Boniva?
Can Boniva be taken with other medications?
Is Boniva safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
How long does it take for Boniva to work?
Can I drink alcohol while taking Boniva?
How should Boniva be stored?
Precautions
It is necessary to observe the “golden rule” – “act so as not to harm”! Boniva treatment may result in a decrease in serum calcium quantities. Therefore the ill should treat hypocalcemia, hypovitaminosis D, and other malfunctions of bone and mineral metabolism prior to Boniva therapy.
Simultaneous admission of calcium and vitamin D is important in all patients.
There were reported a few fatal cases of anaphylaxis in patients who received Boniva treatment.
Adequate medical help and tests should be available when Boniva is prescribed. In case of anaphylactic or other allergic reactions, immediately stop the treatment and advise your doctor.
Curing with I.V. bisphosphonates has been connected with kidney toxicity developed as the decline of kidney function and acute kidney failure. While no cases of acute kidney failure were revealed in controlled clinical research studies in which I.V. Boniva was administered as a 15- to 30-second bolus, acute kidney failure has been reported after the medication came in the market. Boniva is not recommended for health consumers with severe kidney impairment.
Take serum creatinine prior to each Boniva admission. After Boniva, assess kidney function in patients with intercurrent diseases or taking medications that have the potential for negative effect on the kidney. Boniva should be refused in patients with kidney deterioration.
Boniva must only be administered intravenously.
Dosage
Use 3 mg of Boniva injection every 3 months. This dose is considered to be optimal for women over 50. Call your medical consultant for recommendations if you didn’t come to an appointment for your injection.
Tablets in the dosage of 150 mg are taken for only once per month.There is one important note: they must be taken at one and the same day each month. If it happens so that the dosage is missed, do not take it if the next time of administration will be less than in a week.
How to take?
Apply Boniva exactly as prescribed by your health adviser. The direction could be found on your signature. Do not take this medicament in larger or smaller amounts or for a longer time than recommended.
Boniva pills are taken once per month. The injection is given into a vein through an IV once every 3 months. The pills can be taken at home, but a healthcare provider must give the injection.
Take the tablet first thing in the morning, at least sixty minutes before your morning meal. Do not take any other medicine. Take the medicine on the same day each month and always first thing in the morning.
Take the tablet only with plain water. All other drinks, including tea, coffee, milk, juice, mineral or soda water are incompatible with the drug in question.
The tablet shall be swallowed whole.
For at least sixty minutes after taking a tablet do not lie down or recline and do not eat or drink anything, including other medications.
Pay special attention to your dental health: brush and floss your teeth 2 times daily.
The program of osteoporosis treatment is not only taking your Boniva, but you will also need changes of your diet if it is necessary, doing exercise, testing bone mineral density, and taking calcium and vitamin additives. Follow your doctor’s instructions in order to have positive results and prolong a fulfilling life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Only doctor can determine the time of treatment with this medicine and treatment options, such as vitamins, exercise etc. Ibandronate is often given for only 3 to 5 years.
Side-effects
As a rule, biophosphates are well tolerated and rarely cause side reactions.
However, along with its needed effects, ibandronate (the active ingredient contained in Boniva) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Of course, side effects are possible, but they are usually not severe and do not need any medical attention. After your body adjusts to the medicine these side effects usually disappear. Ask your doctor about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue or are burdensome or if you have any queries about them, ask your doctor how to avoid them. Here is the list of most common negative effects: painful bladder syndrome, bloody or nebulous urine, thoracalgia; mucigenous cough; stranguria; labouring breath and swallowing; high or low temperature; frequent urge to urinate; lower back or side pain; fussiness; pounding in the ears; shortness of breath; slow or fast heartbeat; sneezing; sore throat; tightness in the chest; body aches or pain; giddiness; cottonmouth; tachycardia; urticarial fever; raucity; skin irritation; numb feeling; bloatedness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes; rhinorrhea; skin rash; swollen glands in the neck; singing in the ears; unusual tiredness or weakness.
The most wide-spread complications include anaphylactic collapse, atypical fractures of the femur, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and ophthalmological inflammation.
The most common adverse reactions include pain in joints and influenza-like signs, normally appearing after administration of the first dose of Boniva, generally of short duration and moderate strength.
Overdose
If you take more Boniva then specified and feel unwell, drink a glass of milk and call the hospital.
Interactions
Do not take Boniva at the same time with other medicines, wait at least an hour after its admission. This is true about vitamins A, B, C, E, PP, calcium, antacids, ibuprofen, and indomethacin, etc. You may find the full list of drugs that must be avoided while taking Boniva on the Internet or ask your doctor for it. Some medicines prevent ibandronate from absorption.
Other drugs may be compatible with ibandronate, including vitamins and herbal products, antacids and other popular medicines. Unfortunately, we cannot inform you about possible interactions in this short article. It is better to talk with a doctor about the best time of taking other medicines that are prescribed.
Try to give up smoking, as this habit can aggravate your bone mineral density, making fractures more probable.
Alcohol interaction
It is strongly recommended not to drink any alcoholic beverages as it can result in bone mass loss.
Reviews
Nancy: My bones have become thinner recently and break more easily. My doctor said that this is because of menopause: calcium absorption has deteriorated in my bones. My older sister recommended me to take generic Boniva, she has been taking this drug for already 7 years and notes health improvements. I tried and now waiting for results. I am also doing sports and taking some vitamins for better calcium absorption.
Jessica (57): I felt a gradual increase in muscle weakness and there were certain problems with my teeth and gums. Once I felt down and had a fracture of the wrist joint, which did not heal for a long time. I do not even know what would have happened to me, if not Boniva. It really works in my case. I want to thank the creators and manufacturers of this fantastic medicine.
Malden: My mother (67 years old, height 157 cm, weight 90 kg, a bunch of chronic diseases – asthmatic bronchitis, IHD, gallbladder removed, coxarthrosis) was diagnosed with osteoporosis after bone tissue densitometry. There is a memo on nutrition, but not everything is clear with the drugs …The doctor said that he does not recommend Calcium D there is an adverse effect on the liver. However, he did not recommend anything concrete, just said that there is Boniva, which is enough to take 1 time per month and everything will be fine.
Elena (70): Unfortunately, the risk of side effects from drugs for osteoporosis is high. Nevertheless, remember that initially it is not a poison, but a medicine, that is, its clinical effectiveness has been proven. If you are afraid of complications – go to the hospital and ask your doctor to prescribe Boniva. This is a drug specially designed for ambulatory intake, if taken correctly, IN COMPLEX TREATMENT, the risk of side effects is minimal.
Eva: The way Boniva acts differs from calcium; it blocks osteoblasts, thereby preventing them from destroying bone. After the drug gets into the bone, the process of osteoblast dysfunction begins (they cannot dissolve the bone, because they are blocked). The body gets the opportunity to increase bone mass and the number of fractures becomes smaller. I would like to note that drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis are contraindicated, therefore, consultation with a doctor is obligatory.
I had some problems and after I read this article I found a solution, thank you!