Boniva

Osteoporosis effects mostly women and although men can also develop osteoporosis. Women usually show an increase in the amount of bone loss as they go through menopause. While there are many drugs available to treat osteoporosis, most osteoporosis medications require daily or weekly treatment, while Boniva is a medication that patients take just one time per month.

Boniva is in the group of medications doctors and scientists refer to as bisphosphonate. Boniva works by altering the cycle of bone breakdown and formation. Boniva slows bone loss in patients taking the and at the same time increases bone mass. The ability of Boniva to not only prevent bone loss, but assist in increasing bone mass helps to reduce the risk of bone fractures in people who have osteoporosis and that are taking Boniva. Reduction in hip fractures in people taking Boniva is a major benefit of Boniva.

Boniva Warnings and Precautions

Patients need to inform their doctor or pharmacist if they are allergic to bisphosphonates or if they have any other known allergies.

Patients who have low blood calcium levels or sever kidney disease should not take Boniva.

Some people experience jawbone issues while taking Boniva, but most people experiencing jawbone issues were using other medications or had other conditions that were causing the jawbone problem. People with anemia, blood clotting issues, mouth infections, mouth diseases or poor dental hygiene should see their dentist for an examination prior to starting on Boniva. Patients should tell their dentist if they are taking chemotherapy medications and corticosteroids and that they plan to take Boniva.

Elderly patients have a greater risk of experiencing side effects while taking Boniva.

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should discuss taking Boniva with their doctor. Boniva can stay in the body for many years and its effects on an unborn fetus are unknown. Women who are breastfeeding or plan to breast feed their children should discuss their use of Boniva with their doctor.

Boniva Uses

Boniva or Ibandronate is a medication that treats the bone loss condition osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the condition that causes bones to become thinner and leads to increasing risk of broken bones in people with osteoporosis. Boniva helps to slow the effects of osteoporosis and also helps to rebuild bones post menopause.

Boniva Side Effects

Common side effects of Boniva include headache, flu like symptoms, stomach upset and reactions at the injection site that include redness and swelling.

If patients notice an increase in bone, muscle, or joint pain, jaw pain, notice vision changes or changes in the amount of urine they should contact the physician right away.

Sometimes allergic reactions to Boniva occur. Symptoms of severe allergic reaction to Boniva include rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.

Boniva Interactions

Boniva is a relatively safe medication. There are no known drug interactions with Boniva. There is the potential that Boniva will interfere with the absorption of some foods such as calcium and iron.

Boniva Overdose

Boniva overdose is rare, but factors that can increase the risk of Boniva overdoes include any other medications a patient is taking with Boniva, whether or not Boniva was taken with alcohol or any street drugs. Symptoms of Boniva overdose include heartburn or indigestion, upset stomach, ulcers and low calcium levels or low phosphate in the blood.

Treating a Boniva overdose depends on the situation in which the overdose occurs. Boniva can cause irritation of the esophagus so doctors should not induce vomiting. Taking antacids or drinking mild can help to prevent absorption of Boniva into the blood stream by helping to bind Boniva in the stomach. In some cases supportive care is how doctors treat a Boniva overdose. Supportive care includes monitoring of the heart, blood pressure and breathing, introduction of fluids through an IV and other treatments doctors feel are necessary based on any complications that develop.