Boniva, or ibandronate, is a drug for women at risk from worsening osteoporosis, as well as cancer patients with cancer in the bone. As with other bisphosphonates, such as alendronate, or Fosamax, and risedronate, or Actonel, some dangerous effects can occur with Boniva including gastrointestinal symptoms, hypertension, and back pain. According to Genentech, maker of Boniva, the drug should be avoided by individuals with low blood calcium, trouble swallowing, painful heartburn, or those who cannot sit or stand for at least 60 minutes. Women with chest pain should also avoid Boniva.
In a 2010 safety alert, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that studies indicate women with osteoporosis taking bisphosphonate drugs have about the same rate of fractures in the leg below the hip joint as women not taking bisphosphonates who develop hip fractures.
Gastrointestinal Effects
According to Greek endocrinologist Peter D. Papapetrou in his 2009 article for "Hormones," ibandronate and oral bisphosphonates, risedonate and alendronate are linked to epigastric pain and dyspepsia, or upset stomach.
In a comparison of 874 postmenopausal osteoporotic women taking ibandronate compared with 859 women taking alendronate, published in 2008 in "Current Medical Research and Opinions," medical school professor Paul D. Miller and colleagues noted that seven percent of the ibandronate group developed dyspepsia compared to six percent on alendronate.
On the Boniva website, Genentech notes a study of 395 women taking Boniva daily and 396 taking it monthly. Seven percent taking Boniva daily discontinued it due to dyspepsia, as did six percent taking it monthly. Five percent taking the drug daily discontinued it because of abdominal pain, as did eight percent taking it monthly. About five percent discontinued it in both groups because of nausea.
Hypertension
Hypertension is another side effect of ibandronate, says Dr. Miller and colleagues, who found that about eight percent of the subjects developed hypertension on ibandronate, compared to six percent on alendronate.
Back and Muscle Pain
According to Dr. Miller and colleagues, seven percent of the ibandronate subjects developed back pain, compared to five percent of the alendronate subjects.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Dr. Miller and colleagues found about six percent of the ibandronate subjects developed flu-like systems including chills, fever and muscle aches. About four percent of the alendronate subjects experienced these symptoms.
References
- "Current Medical Research and Opinions"; Once-Monthly Oral Ibandronate Compared with Weekly Oral Alendronate in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis; Paul D. Miller, et al.; 2008
- "Hormones"; Bisphosphonate-associated Adeverse Events; Peter D. Papapetrou; 2009
- "The Journal of Supportive Oncology"; Adverse Effects of Bisphosphonates; Ingo J. Diel, M.D., Raoul Bergner, M.D. and Knut A. Grotz, MD, DDS; November/December 2007
- Genetech: Boniva
