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Ibandronate User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Brand names: Boniva

Ibandronate has an average rating of 3.2 out of 10 from a total of 120 reviews on Drugs.com. 18% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 72% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Ibandronate

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Kel...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 3, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I've been taking this medication for six months. The first five months I didn't feel right, but I never thought it was from the medication. I never read the reviews, first mistake. So after the first month, when I felt nauseous and a little out of sorts, I never connected it with the medication, so I continued taking it until January 1, 2020. I took it, and suddenly I had a headache that I wanted to just rip my head off my shoulders, but again I never connected it to the meds, until suddenly I had a toothache like I've never had before. I couldn't even close my mouth, I was in so much pain. My jaw was hurting up to my ear, leading to my eye, my mouth, my neck... everything hurt me. That's when I realized it happened right after I took the medication, and that's when I read these reviews. That medication will be thrown out, I am never taking it again."

1 / 10
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  • hur...
  • February 8, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Have taken alendronate on and off for 5 yrs. Had stomach upset. So I started taking ibandronate. No stomach upset. But one year later, flu-like symptoms and worst all-over muscle and joint pains I have ever experienced. I can barely get out of bed and have to take 1000 mg of Tylenol to help ease some of the pain. I went from dancing and exercising and having a great life to severe pain all day. I did not realize this as a side effect. I told my doctor I thought it was infection or hemochromatosis or related to the flu I had. Blood tests are being done. But now I am sure it's ibandronate, which is generic Boniva. I am praying my pain goes away so I can live pain-free again."

1 / 10
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  • Mag...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 16, 2020

For Osteoporosis "On the second day of taking this medicine, ibandronate, I have never felt so tired in all my life. I read a few of the side effects, but nothing was written about how bad it could get. My ribs in my upper back felt like I had been punched over and over. Nineteen days later, I still can’t function as I normally did, just from sheer exhaustion. My throat feels weird, and I sound like I’ve been screaming for days. Everyone thought how weird, like not believing one pill could do this. Well, believe me, it can and did."

1 / 10
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  • Bon...
  • January 9, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "After diagnosis of osteoporosis at 2.9 in my lower spine, I took ONE 150 mg Boniva pill on August 1, 2021. The next day I started having lower back pain while sitting at my desk. The pain continued to get worse and left me unable to get up from my desk or bend over without severe pain. Pain relievers did not help much, patches at night helped some, and a heating pad at my desk helped some, but I had a bad month of pain. I also experienced numbness in my feet and toes and teeth sensitivity for the first time. After 5 months of being off of Boniva, the lower back pain and teeth sensitivity are almost all gone. There is still some numbness in my feet, but I am taking alpha-lipoic acid, and that is much better also. I am not currently taking anything for the osteoporosis or for pain, and trying to control with improved diet, exercise, and calcium, D3, and K2 supplements. Doctors said my back pain was not from Boniva. I say doctors should only prescribe for severe osteo due to the potential bad side effects."

1 / 10
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  • Lea...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 1, 2021

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "My osteopenia worsened to osteoporosis after taking Tamoxifen for my breast cancer { hx of breast cancer since 2008 }. I was prescribed by my MD to take Boniva due to my B/L hip osteoporosis since last year. It's only this month that I had the courage to take it. I took it last Sunday at 6 AM, and after dinner on the same day, I felt terribly sick: flu-like symptoms with low-grade fever that started at 8 pm. I thought I got COVID. Monday came, and the chills were gone, but I still had a 100.6 fever and body aches, plus GI upset. My abdominal pain was terrible, like sharp pain (terrible spasms that come and go every 10 minutes), either when I was at rest or moving. Today is the 4th day, but no improvement with my GI symptoms. An additional side effect today is a bloated stomach now. I reached out for the help of my GI doctor, and he prescribed me an anti-spasmodic tablet which has helped a little bit. True enough, after reading all these comments, that Boniva is awful to the body. One dose is enough for me."

1 / 10
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  • Gar...
  • September 8, 2021

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Sunday morning, I took one Boniva generic pill with 8 ounces of water and went out to work in my garden. Did not sit down or lay down for 4 hours. So far, so good, in fact, felt smug about no reaction. Monday morning, I woke with an excruciating headache and totally dried out. Violent vomiting. Pain all over continued through Tuesday night (now). Feel very weak, cannot eat anything. Subsisting on protein drinks. Stomach cramps and joint pain. Feel like I’ve been whipsawed! Nothing could be worth these side effects."

1 / 10
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  • jca...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 14, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I have been taking the generic form of Boniva (Ibandronate Sodium Tablets) since November 2018. My first dose caused severe chills and a slight headache. The next few months were fine. No side effects until my last dose, which was August 1, 2019. Since August 2nd, my hair has been falling out! Handful every day since August 2nd. I'm devastated. I have short hair to begin with, and the hair loss makes it worse. I have decided to stop taking the medication. I will try to find other alternatives that are not a stress on my body. Who wants to have no hair!"

6 / 10
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  • web...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 13, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I took Boniva generic for 3 years with no side effects. My bone density improved, so I was able to get off for several years. I have been on it again for 2 years, again with no side effects. Bone density did not improve this time, so my MD is switching to shots of Prolia for me."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 27, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I took my first dose of Ibandronate 150 mg monthly tablet on Oct. 2, 2020. Three days later, I woke up with severe neck, shoulder, and back stiffness, pain, and soreness. Three months later and I am still dealing with these symptoms plus fatigue. I have sought medical advice, and after many blood tests and referrals, no diagnosis can be made. Before taking this one pill, I was a very active (worked out 4-5 times a week) healthy 56-year-old, keeping up with my daughters and grandkids and loving life. I don’t wish these symptoms on anyone. I’m hoping in time my symptoms will go away. And I will now treat my beginning stages of osteoporosis with natural products."

1 / 10
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  • Sev...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 31, 2015

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took 12 doses of this medication. My bone scan 2 days ago showed a change from 'severe' to 'mild' osteopenia. So I can stop the medication and continue standing all day at work and lifting weights. Now I don't have to fear falling. I can see an active future. I am grateful. I experienced no side effects. I am nearly 71. My mother was bent and fragile with osteoporosis. She died at 94 from the hospital infection after treatment for broken bones."

10 / 10
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  • DeB...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 6, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took the first ibandronate on Mon. Had no problems all day, but woke up that night with horrible stomach pains and nausea. It was so bad. Then on Tue I threw up. Pain and nausea have continued now for 3 days. Today I developed really bad diarrhea, and I have terrible gas from the top of my stomach to the other end. I feel awful all over, and my back hurts mildly. Won't be taking pill two for sure next month, and I can only hope it doesn't last much longer."

1 / 10
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  • Cin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 30, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I took Boniva 150 mg on July 27, 2019, and I am so sick. I have never felt anything like this: back pain, chest pains, headache, no appetite, diarrhea, weakness, pain in arms and legs! I can’t lift my arms, and I am dizzy. I am going to my doctor. I am waiting for his call, but I know he’s going to want to see me because these are very severe and serious effects. I am scared! I will never take this or any other bone medication."

1 / 10
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  • Pat...
  • September 12, 2021

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I’m a 70-year-old woman in pretty good health. GP put me on Boniva due to osteoporosis. I’ve taken it once a month for the last five months. I have been to both my GP and to urgent care in the last month because I have earaches, swollen glands, a stiff neck, and a terrible sore throat. Both GP and urgent care doctor could find nothing wrong with my throat. I honestly felt like an antibiotic would snap me out of this, but they prescribed nothing. Today I was rummaging around in the bathroom closet and came upon the six-page data sheet that came with my Boniva. I happened to glance at it and I realized that the first dangerous symptom was esophageal pain and throat-neck issues. HELLO! I do have an appointment next week with an ENT just to make sure nothing is cooking in there (because my daughter did have thyroid cancer when she was 30). It made me worried, but I realized today it may be the Boniva giving me the side effects. Don’t plan to take any more until I see ENT."

1 / 10
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  • Jul...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 31, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Never taking this pill again. I took it almost a month ago, still feel numb in places and my hands/feet tingle. I had silent migraines for seven days, back hurts, I feel strange. I even had an MRI done."

1 / 10
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  • TLC...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 20, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "My gynecologist prescribed Boniva following a recent dexa scan, which revealed my osteopenia has worsened and I now am osteoporotic. 1st month taking Boniva - diarrhea within an hour but subsided the next day. 2nd month - no problems. 3rd month - loose stools 1st day. 4th month - arm, muscle, bone pain started about 4 days after taking the pill. Both arms. Wakes me up at night and it is worse at night. Left arm is much better now (1 week after taking the 4th pill), but the pain in my right arm is still present. It's a dull ache and appears in different parts of my right arm - lower arm, elbow area, upper arm. Have had some loose stools this week but wouldn't call it diarrhea. I do not believe gynecologists fully understand this medication. I asked her about the diarrhea month 1, and she went to the internet to research it. I'm going to my family doctor next month for my yearly visit and I'm going to quiz him on Boniva vs. other options."

1 / 10
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  • Ano...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 11, 2022

For Osteoporosis "The first month I took this, I had a severe headache, body aches, and my joints felt swollen. Ran a fever for about 24 hours. I went ahead and took the second dose a month later, and none of the previous symptoms appeared. Third month, a headache, chills, and slight fever for about 12 hours. I will continue dosage and monitor."

5 / 10
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  • Jus...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 25, 2021

For Osteoporosis "This was the worst drug I have ever taken. I advise everyone that is prescribed ibandronate sodium to read all the side effects and take it on a day your doctor will be in the office! About 4 hours after my first dose, I was stricken with a headache so severe I almost went to the ER despite the coronavirus overrun. It was that bad. The severe nausea and diarrhea hit me about 5 minutes later. I ran a fever just a few minutes after that. The next day I broke out in hives and had severe itching even in areas without hives. The next day, my tongue looked scalded. The day after that, my tongue was covered in huge white blisters. I have been sick and had severe diarrhea for 27 days now. I’ve also had some jaw pain and just pray my teeth are ok. I am unwilling to try anything else that is supposed to last more than one day unless it has an antidote. This is awful. If my account scared you, I’m sorry, but don’t be as naive as I was!!!"

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  • Bud...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 21, 2021

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took my first ibandronate on 9/1 with no side effects. Woke up the next morning with pain in my entire upper body (back, shoulders, arms). Spent three days on the sofa with pain from my legs to my shoulders. Getting up was painful. My normal routine is to walk the dog twice a day and work out with weights. Now I can't go for walks or work out without experiencing discomfort/pain, I attribute this to the medicine. It has been almost three weeks, and it is getting better, but not yet normal. Will not take another dose."

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  • UK ...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 31, 2023

For Osteoporosis "On my second Ibandronate tablet and experiencing dreadful back pain. I’ve had back pain since I started on this tablet, but it’s gotten worse after taking the second. Will be seeing my doctor and most likely coming off it. I’m just crawling around and taking painkillers. Not good."

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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 17, 2025

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I started Boniva 7 months ago with no side effects. But this last dose at 7 months, I have a constant headache and dizziness. I feel pressure and an overall unwell feeling. I’m not going to continue with Boniva. I’m calling my MD and see if we can try something different."

4 / 10
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  • Sis...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 1, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I took this drug on Thursday morning at 4 a.m. by Friday morning I couldn't walk, terrible pain all over my body, every bone hurt so bad I couldn't walk, couldn't put my braces on for the pain in my mouth. I will never use this drug again, the side effects are horrible."

1 / 10
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  • vee...
  • June 19, 2009

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Today I received the results of my bone density test after being on Boniva for two years. I am delighted to say that there is a reversal of my osteoporosis. Thank you, Boniva!"

10 / 10
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  • kim...
  • April 3, 2013

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Have had severe muscle pain in my upper thighs that lasts for three or four days after taking my monthly dose. Also have heartburn."

2 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 22, 2012

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I like the 1-month convenience, well tolerated...my medicine of choice!"

10 / 10
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  • bon...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 29, 2014

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took this and the next day, have been sick with flu-like symptoms today. Severe stomach upset and cramps, chills."

3 / 10
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