Ibandronate
Description
Ibandronate is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis makes the bones weaker and thinner and increases the risk of fractures. This medication may cause a decrease in the blood calcium levels, hence it is not recommended for use in patients with low calcium levels.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ibandronate
- Hypersensitivity
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Loosening of the teeth
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle pain
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Difficult or painful urination
- Shortness of breath
- Dull, aching pain in the hip, groin or thighs
Uses of Ibandronate
What is it prescribed for?
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Ibandronate or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Use in pediatrics
This medicine is not recommended for use in children or adolescents.
Route of administration
Ibandronate injection should be administered only via the intravenous route.
Severe musculoskeletal pain
This medicine may produce severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain. Report any such symptoms to the doctor immediately and discontinue therapy under your doctor's supervision.
Missed Dose
If the monthly dose of Ibandronate tablet is missed and there is less than a week remaining for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the scheduled dose next month. If the next dose is more than a week later, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, in the morning.
If the 3-monthly appointment for the Ibandronate injection is missed, inform the doctor immediately and take the dose as soon as it can be rescheduled. After this dose, the next dose should be scheduled 3 months later.
Overdose
Contact the doctor or seek emergency medical treatment if you suspect an overdose of Ibandronate tablets.
Since the injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Deferasirox
Immunosuppressants
Contrast media
Cidofovir
Disease interactions
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)
This medicine should be used with caution in patients undergoing invasive dental procedures due to increased risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Therapy with the medicine may need to be discontinued based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hypocalcemia
Ibandronate is not recommended for treating osteoporosis in patients with decreased calcium levels (hypocalcemia). Calcium and vitamin D levels should be checked before starting therapy with this medicine. It is also important to continue appropriate supplementation of calcium and vitamin D during treatment with this medicine.
Upper gastrointestinal mucosal irritation
Ibandronate may cause upper gastrointestinal mucosal irritation and increase the risk of gastric ulcers and bleeding. It is advised to take the tablet along with a full glass of water and stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes after the dose to reduce the chances of these side effects. Therapy should be discontinued if difficulty in swallowing or abdominal pain continues. Do not stop the use of any medicine without consulting your doctor.
Renal Dysfunction
Ibandronate is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment due to the increased risk of acute renal failure. It is advised to obtain serum creatinine prior to the start of therapy. Close monitoring of renal function may be necessary based on the clinical condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases.
Asthma
Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with asthma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of such patients for any adverse effects is necessary during treatment with this medicine.
Food interactions
The desired effects of Ibandronate will not be achieved if it is taken along with food. It is advised to take this medicine first thing in the morning and at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking something.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Ibandronate as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Ibandronate works by preventing bone breakdown and increasing bone thickness.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Bisphosphonates
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
Ibandronate: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
Ibandronate - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
Ibandronate [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - IBANDRONATE SODIUM - ibandronate sodium injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 9 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.