ibandronate
Brand names: Boniva
Ibandronate (Boniva) is a medicine that helps treat and prevent bone loss in women after menopause. It makes bones stronger and less likely to break.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$52.88/unit
Generic Available
Yes (9 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Ibandronate is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause.
Common side effects
Back pain, Upset stomach, Pain in arms or legs
Key warnings
This medicine can cause problems with your esophagus.
How It Works
Ibandronate belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. It works by slowing down the breakdown of bone. This helps to increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.
How to Take It
Take one 150 mg tablet once a month, on the same day each month. Swallow the tablet whole with 6 to 8 ounces of plain water. Do this at least 60 minutes before you eat, drink, or take any other medicines. Do not lie down for at least 60 minutes after taking the tablet.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Ibandronate is not for use in women who can get pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss your monthly dose, take it the next morning if your next dose is more than 7 days away. If your next dose is 1 to 7 days away, wait and take it on your next scheduled day.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 1,939 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2,935 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
2,935
Death-Related Reports
274
Hospitalization Reports
655
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARTHRALGIA | 243 |
| 2 | DIARRHOEA | 230 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 219 |
| 4 | FEMUR FRACTURE | 216 |
| 5 | HEADACHE | 198 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 190 |
| 7 | FALL | 165 |
| 8 | DIZZINESS | 163 |
| 9 | PAIN | 161 |
| 10 | ASTHENIA | 154 |
| 11 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 140 |
| 12 | MYALGIA | 140 |
| 13 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 139 |
| 14 | VOMITING | 138 |
| 15 | BACK PAIN | 132 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
This medicine can cause problems with your esophagus. To help prevent this, follow the directions carefully and stay upright for at least 60 minutes after taking it. Rarely, serious bone, joint, or muscle pain can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new pain in your thigh or groin. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (bone damage in the jaw) has been reported.
Known Drug Interactions
Do not take within 60 minutes of dosing ( 7.1 ) Use caution when co-prescribing aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that may worsen gastrointestinal irritation. 7.2 Aspirin/Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Because aspirin, NSAIDs, and bisphosphonates are all associated with gastrointestinal irritation, caution should be exercised in the concomitant use of aspirin or NSAIDs with ibandronate sodium tablets.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines can irritate your stomach and throat, which increases the chance of developing sores or pain.
What to do: Be very careful when taking these together and wait at least 60 minutes after taking ibandronate before taking aspirin.
7.3 H2 Blockers In healthy volunteers, co-administration with ranitidine resulted in a 20% increased bioavailability of ibandronate, which was not considered to be clinically relevant (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY [12.3] ) . 7.3 H2 Blockers In healthy volunteers, co-administration with ranitidine resulted in a 20% increased bioavailability of ibandronate, which was not considered to be clinically relevant (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY [12.3] ) .
Mechanism: Ranitidine increases the amount of ibandronate that is absorbed into your body.
What to do: No specific changes are usually needed because this increase is not expected to cause problems.
Common Questions
Can I take ibandronate with food?
What should I do if I have heartburn after taking ibandronate?
Can I take calcium supplements with ibandronate?
What if I can't stand or sit upright for 60 minutes?
Does ibandronate interact with other medications?
How long should I take ibandronate?
What are the symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw?
What should I do if I experience severe bone, joint, or muscle pain?
Can ibandronate cause kidney problems?
What if I have trouble swallowing the tablet?
What are the common side effects of ibandronate?
Does ibandronate interact with other medications?
What drug class is ibandronate?
Is ibandronate safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Bisphosphonate
Other drugs grouped near ibandronate — same-class peers and common alternatives.
abaloparatide
Tymlos
Tymlos is a medicine to treat osteoporosis.
Compare with ibandronate →
alendronate
Fosamax
Binosto is a medicine that helps make your bones stronger.
Compare with ibandronate →
calcitonin
Miacalcin, Fortical
Calcitonin is a medicine that helps manage calcium levels in your body.
Compare with ibandronate →
denosumab
Prolia, Xgeva
Stoboclo is a medicine that helps to treat osteoporosis and increase bone mass.
Compare with ibandronate →
risedronate
Actonel
Risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets help treat osteoporosis after menopause.
Compare with ibandronate →
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What the FDA Data Shows for ibandronate
The FDA label for ibandronate (sold under brand names such as Boniva) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Bisphosphonate class. Ibandronate is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Back pain, Upset stomach, Pain in arms or legs.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,939 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $52.88.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: June 12, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages