Ibandronate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 20, 2023.

Applies to ibandronate: oral tablet. Other dosage forms:

intravenous solution

Serious side effects of Ibandronate

Along with its needed effects, ibandronate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ibandronate:

More common

Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
chest pain
cough producing mucus
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with breathing
fever or chills
frequent urge to urinate
lower back or side pain
nervousness
pounding in the ears
shortness of breath
slow or fast heartbeat
sneezing
sore throat
tightness in the chest

Less common

Bloody or cloudy urine
body aches or pain
congestion
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
dryness of the throat
fast heartbeat
frequent urge to urinate
hives
hoarseness
itching
numbness
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
runny nose
skin rash
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tingling
unusual tiredness or weakness
voice changes

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach cramps
blurred vision or other change in vision
bone, joint, or muscle pain, severe and occasionally incapacitating
confusion
convulsions
eye redness
eye tenderness
heavy jaw feeling
irregular heartbeats
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loosening of a tooth
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
noisy breathing
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw
sensitivity to light
severe eye pain
tearing
tremor
unusual pain in the thighs, groin, or hips

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking ibandronate:

Symptoms of overdose

Acid or sour stomach
belching
bone pain
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
heartburn
indigestion
loss of appetite
pain or burning in the throat
sores or ulcers
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
tenderness in the stomach area
vomiting
white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth

Other side effects of Ibandronate

Some side effects of ibandronate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Diarrhea
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
pain in the extremity (arms and legs)

Less common

Cough
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
difficulty with moving
discouragement
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling sad or empty
general feeling of discomfort or illness
irritability
joint pain
lack or loss of strength
lightheadedness
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle aches and pain
muscle stiffness
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
sensation of spinning
shivering
stuffy nose
sweating
tooth disorder
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to ibandronate: intravenous kit, intravenous solution, oral tablet.

General

The most serious reported adverse reactions are anaphylactic reaction/shock, atypical fractures of the femur, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and ocular inflammation.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are arthralgia and influenza-like symptoms, typically associated with the first dose, generally of short duration, mild, or moderate intensity.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (up to 12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, tooth disorder, vomiting, gastritis, constipation, gastroenteritis abdominal pain, esophagitis, nausea, sore throat

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hemorrhage, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, dry mouth^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory infection (up to 34%)

Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, influenza, nasopharyngitis, asthma exacerbation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

Decreased renal calcium excretion may be accompanied by a fall in serum phosphate levels not requiring therapeutic measures. The serum calcium level may fall to hypocalcemic values.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Hypocalcemia

Postmarketing reports: Hypocalcemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Back pain (14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pain in the extremity, myalgia, join disorder, arthritis, arthralgia, localized osteoarthritis, muscle cramp

Postmarketing reports: Severe or incapacitating bone, join, or muscle pain (musculoskeletal pain); osteonecrosis of the jaw; atypical, low-energy, or low-trauma fractures of the femoral shaft; atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Phlebitis, thrombophlebitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, cystitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction

Rare (less than 0.1%): Facial swelling/edema, urticaria

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reaction/shock with fatalities, angioedema, bronchospasm, asthma exacerbations, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and dermatitis bullous^[Ref]

Local

Common (1% to 10%): Redness or swelling at the injection site^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, paraesthesia, dysgeusia (taste perversion)^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, vertigo, influenza-like illness, peripheral edema

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Malaise, pain^[Ref]

Combination of influenza-like illness and acute phase reaction has occurred. Influenza-like illness includes events reported as acute phase reaction or symptoms, including myalgia, arthralgia, fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and bone pain.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, depression^[Ref]

Renal

Common (1% to 10%): Increased creatinine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Azotemia (uremia)

Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, rash^[Ref]

Rash occurred in combination of rash pruritic, rash macular, rash papular, rash generalized, rash erythematous, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic, dermatitis medicamentosa, erythema and exanthema.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, increased blood parathyroid hormone^[Ref]

Ocular

Postmarketing reports: Ocular inflammation, iritis, uveitis, episcleritis (in some cases, these events resolve only after this drug was discontinued)^[Ref]