BONIVA Reviews (IBANDRONATE SODIUM)

Average Rating: 1.3 (1602 Ratings)

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 BISPHOSPHONATES

 Type: Rx Drug

  

BONIVA  (IBANDRONATE SODIUM):  Ibandronate is used to prevent and treat certain types of bone loss (osteoporosis). Osteoporosis causes bones to become thinner and break more easily. Your chance of developing osteoporosis increases after menopause, as you age, or if you take corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) for long periods. This medication works by slowing bone loss to help maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of broken bones (fractures). Ibandronate belongs to a class of medications called bisphosphonates.   FDA Approval Date: 2005-03-24 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR BONIVACOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 1  osteoporosis One week ago I felt great! That's before I took my first and my last Boniva "once a month pill". Stomach pain began 2 days later and then within 4 days my whole skeletal system became effected. I am 57 and feel like I am 80+. I never have reactions to drugs and had not heard anything about this drug. Only knew Sally Field said she used it. It's horrible!!!! I hurt all over, can't breathe well, and walk like someone who's had surgery. It even hurts to sleep; joints hurt and they are so tender. Thought I might have to go to the emergency room last night. My chest and back hurt so badly; felt like I was getting pneumonia. I thought this was crazy, so I got on the computer to see if I could find more info about this drug. Found this forum. Only wish I had investigated before I took that first pill. TELL OTHERS TO AVOID THIS DRUG!!!!!!!! I wish my doctor had told me about possible side effects. I don't even consider what we are experiencing as posssible side effects. Most side effects aren't so disabling as these. WHEN DOES IT GET BETTER AND WHAT HELPS? F 57 1 months
5/10/2008
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 1  osteopenia I took exactly as directed. Felt fine for first 12 hours, then horrible flu like symptoms ensued. I had no appetite. Intense aching muscles in back,ribs and shoulders...it hurt to breath. Couldn't sleep at night, and could hardly get out of bed. Chills, intense sweating (I have rarely had mild night sweats). Intense headache (I almost never have headaches), and I can still feel the residue of the headache after 2 days. Stomach and intestinal burning and cramping. I have taken only 1 pill, 2 days ago, and will never take this medicine again. I am normally extremely healthy. I am a scientist, and the scientist in me says "try again, it might have been something else that caused the symptoms" but I am too frightened by the intensity of these symptoms to try again. F 55 1 times
5/10/2008
 1  osteopenia A doctor gave me a sample of Boniva 2 days ago and said that since I have no history of GERD I'd be fine. Thank heaven I found this website before taking it. You are all so generous to have shared your horrible experience in order to warn the rest of us. I'm a Registered Nurse. I'm going to continue with yoga, which helps with bone mass and balance; increase calcium and exercise; and hope for the best. No way will I take Boniva. Thank you, friends. F 57
5/10/2008
 1  OSTEOPENIA SEVERE STOMACH CRAMPS AND DIARRHEA, BEGINNING ABOUT ONE WEEK AFTER TAKING THE PILL, AND CONTINUING ANOTHER WEEK. CONTINUED (STUPIDLY), TAKING THIS THING FOR 8 MONTHS; WILL NEVER TAKE AGAIN, NOR AM I INTERESTED IN TRYING ANOTHER FORM OF THIS MEDICATION. HAD PREVIOUSLY TRIED TWO OF THE OTHER MEDS -- ORALLY, AND ONE THROUGH A NASAL SPRAY -- ALL OF WHICH PRODUCED THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS, ONLY MORE ACUTE. CANNOT RECOMMEND ANY OF THIS DRUG. HAVE TO WONDER WHAT RESULTS OF THE PRE-RELEASE TEST GROUPS WERE? F 65 8 months
5/9/2008
 5  Osteoporosis Mild flu like symptoms for first few months. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis last year at the age of 48. I was really reluctant to go on Boniva because of the side effects, but my doctor convinced me to try it. My side effects were mild and temporary - now the worst part of it is having to wait an hour to drink my coffee! And, my scores are improved: hip is up to -.9 from -1.3 and spine is up to -2.5 from -2.8! I also take Bone Up Calcium supplement and weight train 2x a week. F 49 1 years
5/6/2008
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 1   I've only taken Boniva for 2 months. The most recent: extreme pain in my spine: barely able to bend over, couldn't bend neck to face down. The extreme pain lasted a week after I took Boniva...then a dull pain for a week. Also had bloated stomach and constipation. The first time I took Boniva, I had a pain in neck/upper back, dull pain in lower back, puffy eyes, what felt like a urinary tract infection for over a week and constipation. I hadn't associated the symptoms at that time with Boniva..now it all fits together. I am smart, but I wasn't smart enough to read these reviews first. Please report your ADVERSE EVENT to: the FDA (online) and to Hoffman LaRoche (you can also a request refund for unopened boxes with receipts. PLEASE, if you decide to take Boniva, carefully watch for reactions. I will not submit myself to Boniva again. F 59 2 months
5/5/2008
 1  osteoporosis My mother has been on Boniva for 6 months so 6 doses. She has been sick better portion of each of the months she has been on it. Taking it for osteoporosis prevention. She is 80. Been sick since first dose: fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, malaise, aching. First dose causes bad symtoms, she didn't really relate to the pill. Then doses 2-5 not so bad but she did have GI symptoms and chills. She tried to attribute the symptoms to other things age related. Saying its a stomac bug or I'm tired etc...or old etc... After her 3rd dose she contacted her md. He told her the symptoms were not likely to be from the Boniva. She took sixth dose this week and has been sicker than ever!! Bone pain, can't sleep at night, so sick miserable, flu like symptoms!! Very healthy 80 year old, only on low dose Celebrex for osteoarthritis. The pain she is having is nothing like the osteoarthritis pain she has in neck and lower back. Please do not take this med or let anyone you know take it. I'm not F 80
5/1/2008
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 1  osteopenia Muscular/skeletal pain, mainly in thoracic/lumbar spine and rib cage. Also have developed pain in gum and jaw around my dental implant site. Started Boniva in 12/08. By Jan., while wintering in Fla, developed extremely painful back and ribcage pain. Had to stop playing golf (which is almost a death sentence). By the end of Feb, I had also developed extremely bad pain around my dental implant area. While in Fla, had exray for a possible rib fracture (negative). Had an MRI which revealed some degenerative vertebral disease. Since returning north, I've seen an orthopaedist who examined the MRI film, did blood work looking for any inflammation (negative) and has now recommended a Pain Management group to help diagnose and treat whatever back problem I have. I have also seen the dentist who referred me to an periodontist and am now scheduled for gum surgery tomorrow with the hopes of alleviating the gum pain. I've been on this site for several hours now and am convinced that my migratory back pain and mouth pain are more than caused by this drug. I have printed out the FDA warning which was sent to physicians in January F 68 5 months
5/1/2008
 1  osteoporosis Thank you all, without this board I had no idea what poison boniva was. Have started Forteo. F 49 1 years
5/1/2008
 1  Osteopenia Pain, pain and more pain. My husband (age 72) was taking this and experienced all the symptoms all of you have described. I noticed that all of you are wondering when and if things will improve. We don't know yet but Boniva's literature says "Most patients experienced relief after stopping the drug.". Let's hope so. We will try to keep you updated on improvements, if any. M 72 8 months
5/1/2008
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 1  Diagnosis of Mild Osteopenia The first time I took it nothing happened. The next time, 24hrs later, I began with progressive diarrhea, upset stomach and general severe abdominal discomfort. By the afternoon, I had severe bone pain throughout the entire length of my arm and leg bones. The next day I had the chills and couldn't stay warm no matter what I tried. The bone pain became tolerable by the end of the following day, but the diarrhea didn't start to ease until the next day had passed. I will never take this drug again. It felt like I had poisoned myself. F 53 2 months
4/28/2008
 1  Osteopenia Severe muscle and joint pain, severe fatigue, broken blood vessel in eye. 36 hours after taking my very first dose of Boniva, I developed severe muscle, bone and joint pain. I could not take a deep breath because my ribs and collar bone were in accute pain. My back, knees, shoulders, elbows, ankles, feet, hands, arms, legs, absolutely every inch of my body was aching. I had to roll out of bed because my back was in so much pain. I had difficulty going up and down steps. It was painful to swallow. After approximately 3 days, the severe pain began to subside and I began experiencing moderate pain accompanied by extreme fatigue. I participate in regular exercise but have been unable to do anything physical for the 10 days since taking Boniva. My gynecologist who prescribed the medicine has not returned my phone call. I did see my family doctor who was somewhat skeptical about the connection between Boniva and my condition. She did order some blood work and referred me to an opthamologist for the broken blood vessel in my eye. He was a little more symp F 60 1 days
4/27/2008
 1  Osteoporosis Flu like symptoms and severe pain in kidneys I took this drug (once a month dose) one time and will never take it again due to the way I felt. F 62 1 months
4/24/2008
 1  Osteopenia I am 48 yrs old and I feel like I'm 78. I can't get up and down off the floor with my 19 month old grandson, have problems climbing stairs, and overall achiness in my bones/joints. Yesterday I read an article on the internet about the new once a year injections. I didn't realize until I read the article that the reason I feel so old and the osteoarthritis in my hands has gotten extremely worse is due to the Boniva that I have taken for the last 9 months. I thought the reason I was feeling so bad was due to the amount of stress that I've experienced in the past year. Now I know why I feel like I should be planning my funeral.... I will never take this med again. F 48 9 months
4/22/2008
 5   None. I've been taking Fosamax for 7 years and it really stopped my osteoporosis in it's tracks. My risk of fracture decreased, especially in my spine. I changed to Boniva because it is easier to take once a month, rather than once a week. I have no complaints. I expect no problems in switching from Fosamax to Boniva. F 64 1 months
4/21/2008
 1  Osteopena I have been taking Boniva for 4 years. Over the past two, I have lost all energy to do much of anything. In the past month, I have had trouble swallowing, nausea, diahrea,dizziness, Vertigo, fatigue, a general all over "bad" feeling, and feelings of eminent death. I just took it on the 17th and all this started "in force" just after. I have been sent to the emergency room (my cost $2000), and a huge amount of blood tests all showing I am as healthy as I can been. I just realized tonight all the symptoms I have been having are most of the ones mentioned here. I am never going to take this medication again...... LEAVE THIS ONE ALONE. F 60 4 years
4/21/2008
 1  Osteopenia Terrible pain in mid-back bones! What an idiot! Me, that is. I usually check this stuff out better than I did. Six months of bad pain, a lot of time and money spent on pain clinic and chiropractic treatment, vicodin, celebrex, but still awful pain. Suddenly it dawned on me. Has to be the Boniva! Only then do I find this site. I'm quitting and wonder how long it will take to rid my system of this and get back to "normal"! M 72 6 months
4/18/2008
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 1   My back started aching (low back after 2 months) after the third month, the pain went to my hip. Now I have shin splints and find it hard to walk. I won't take another Boniva again. I belong to a gym and can't even work out anymore. I played racquetball 3 times a week before taking this pill. I feel like I'm 80 years old now. I hope the company gets sued and it's taken off the market. if I had read all your comments, I never would have taken it in the first place. F 45 5 days
4/18/2008
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 5  diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2005 I've had none. Any aches and pains that I deal with, I've had before Boniva since I do have arthritis and have had a knee replacement. I just had a bone scan last month and I am now in the "normal" range .05! I couldn't be more thrilled. I am truly sorry for those suffering and certainly would suggest another alternative. However, it all fairness, I was on Fosamax (first weekly, then monthly) and experienced little if any improvement in my bone mass. F 69 2 years
4/15/2008
 1  Osteoporosis/osteopenia I have the same severe side effects as those listed by other patients below--sudden sharp, stabbing pains in joints and muscles that migrate all over my body--a headache that feels like the lining of my brain is inflamed. I run a low-grade temperature and feel like I have the flu. I have difficulty walking at times. I should mention that I am a small woman, 120 pounds, and my vitamin D level was checked and is sufficient. I've taken this a year and the symptoms did not get better. I won't be taking Boniva again. Life is too short. I urge all potential users of this drug to research it thoroughly and get opinions from other patients about side effects. The medical professionals haven't a clue, and certainly, neither does Roche. F 59 365 days
4/15/2008

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