How To Use Ibandronate (Boniva)

Ibandronate comes in the form of a tablet to take by mouth on an empty stomach. The 2.5 mg tablet is to be taken once every day. The 150-mg tablet is to be taken once every month. 

Read the prescription label carefully and take ibandronate exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency without your doctor’s approval. 

Take ibandronate first thing in the morning, at least 60 minutes before eating or drinking anything except water. Do not take any other oral medications or dietary supplements such as vitamins, calcium, or antacids before your ibandronate dose and for at least 60 minutes afterward. Never take ibandronate at bedtime or before you get out of bed in the morning. 

Swallow ibandronate sodium tablets whole with a full glass (180-240 mL or 6-8 oz) of plain water while standing or sitting upright. Do not chew or suck on the tablet. Make sure you stand or sit upright for at least 60 minutes after taking the dose. Lying down after taking ibandronate can damage the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach). Sucking or chewing on the tablets can cause mouth sores.

Do not take ibandronate with anything other than plain water. Mineral water may contain calcium and should not be used to take ibandronate. Do not eat or drink anything other than water or take other oral medications for at least 60 minutes after taking ibandronate. 

If you are taking ibandronate 150 mg to prevent or treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, take your dose on the same date each month. Set a reminder for your “Boniva day” on your smartphone or mark it on your calendar. This will help you remember. 

Talk to your doctor about the need for calcium and vitamin D supplementation while on ibandronate.

Ibandronate can help to treat and prevent osteoporosis but does not cure the condition. Continue taking the medicine even if you don’t have any symptoms and feel well. Do not discontinue ibandronate without talking to your doctor. Your provider will evaluate you from time to time to see if you still need ibandronate.

Missed dose: If you are on a once-daily dosing and miss a dose of ibandronate, do not take it later in the day. Skip the missed dose and take the next dose the following morning according to your regular dosing schedule. Never take more than one dose of ibandronate on the same day.

If you are on once monthly dosing and miss a dose of ibandronate, take it on the morning of the following day after you remember, as long as your next dose is at least 7 days away. Never take more than one 150 mg tablet of ibandronate in the same week. You can then return to taking your ibandronate 150 mg tablet every month on your chosen day in the morning. If there are less than 7 days left for your next dose of 150 mg ibandronate, wait until the next month's scheduled day to take your ibandronate tablet and then return to your original schedule.

Storage: Store ibandronate at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused and expired ibandronate should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to it. Do not throw ibandronate in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded ibandronate is through a drug take-back program or your local waste disposal company. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on ibandronate. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about ibandronate, talk to your doctor for medical advice.

Discounted prices for ibandronate (Boniva) start at $23.59.

Get your FREE BuzzRx card and 
start saving today!

CHECK PRICES