Boniva and Headaches: What Users Say

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Started Boniva 150mg monthly after having a DEXA with t-score of -3.5. The first month, I had some slight side effects: sleepiness, aches, and diarrhea on the second and third day. After that, I felt okay, except maybe some shortness of breath but nothing too alarming. I did notice one positive thing, though, my back pain that I would get while lying flat had gone away. So, I decided to keep taking it. When I took the second dose, I had side effects starting again about the second day. I had slight chest pain on and off. About the second week, we went out shopping and I wanted to go home because of terrible cramping in my right ankle. What made me call the doctor and tell her I’m not going to continue Boniva was the constant light headache and lightheaded feeling I had every day, constantly. I started feeling like myself again a few days before the third dose was supposed to be. I really wish there weren’t all these side effects and worries with it. I'm going to try something else on my own."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2018

For Osteoporosis "I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my lumbar vertebrae. I took the first doses of the monthly pill Boniva 10 days ago. The first 2 days, I had headaches, sternum and back pain, and throat pain. My doctor didn’t think it was a side effect of the medication, but it's exactly what it says in the medicine's literature. After 5 days, I started to have horrible back and lumbar pain. I took Ibuprofen 800 mg, Diclofenac, and Flexeril, but nothing worked. It's been 10 days already, and I continue laying in bed because I can barely move due to the horrible pain. My doctor still says it's not a side effect. I decided not to take any medicine for osteoporosis because they all have the same side effects. For me, it's not worth it."

• Din...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I took my first monthly Boniva dose yesterday morning at 8 am. I actually walked outside 5 miles, which took me 1 hour and 15 min. Waited until 10 to eat something little and take my vitamins. By 11 I could tell I wasn’t feeling right. By 1, I was full-blown very sick. I got diarrhea, headache, and nausea. By 3, I vomited so much it was ridiculous. I haven’t vomited since I was a child! I was sick the rest of the day. I ended up taking Imodium for the diarrhea. I feel weak today, but I’m better than yesterday. I hope I get no other symptoms, but I will never take this again. I feel my body was telling me something!"

• Yog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I started Boniva once a month dosage five months ago for osteopenia and early osteoporosis. Every month it seems I feel a little worse. I'm experiencing daily heartburn, reflux, nausea, leg cramps, and headaches (which I rarely have). I usually have a lot of energy, and I'm not a napper. But over the last few months, I find myself falling asleep watching TV and feeling tired after a full night's sleep. I was beginning to think there might be something serious going on, but since reading the other posts, I'm inclined to think it may be the Boniva causing the problem. I asked my pharmacist, and he said whatever side effects I'm experiencing should wear off 2-3 days after my monthly dosage...not so. I'm not losing weight and have an appetite. Do I just put up with the side effects and hope for the best?"

• Ive...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2019

For Osteoporosis "If you are considering this drug, be advised: I took my first and last Boniva oral tablet on 8/20/19. Today is 8/24, and it is my first day without a severe headache, chills, and fever between 100.5 and 101.2. I had stomach cramps with any food or drink. I felt like I had been poisoned. The drug insert tells you about 'flu-like symptoms', however, it fails to tell you that you may run a fever for four days. My body's reaction said it all. Not worth the risk! I plan on taking the nutritional route."

• sir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took my 1st dose of Boniva on a Sunday in case I had any side effects I would be home. On Wednesday morning (2:00 am) I woke up with severe heartburn, which felt like a heart attack. The pressure on my chest was real. I took an alkaline seltzer, but it didn't help. At 5:00 am I started vomiting, had a fever of 101 degrees, stomach pain, back pain, and a severe headache. Tried drinking flat Coca-Cola for the stomach, which was better, but the achiness was horrible. My pharmacy gave me a sheet with side effects but didn’t state it would happen 3 days later. Glad I don’t work and didn’t have plans that week. I will never take it again. I will double up on my natural remedy first. Horrible medicine. Shouldn’t even be allowed on the market! Only my opinion of the drug. Good luck to others that use this."

• Arl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took my first Boniva pill 1-1-2019. I have no energy. Just getting out of bed is a chore. Have a mild headache that goes away when I take 1000 mg of Tylenol. Back pain comes and goes. I'm going to keep a journal of how I feel day to day to help me decide if I will take a second dose."

• Ima...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2013

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took my first dose of Boniva 150 mg and woke up the next day with a severe headache and abdominal spasms. I feel exhausted, almost flu-like. I'm checking with my doctor now since today is the second day of the same symptoms."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I received a prescription for Boniva from my doctor on a Wednesday. Thursday morning, as prescribed by my pharmacist, I took my first pill with water and waited 2 hours before I ate anything. I didn’t feel comfortable taking my other meds, so I didn’t. About 6 pm that evening, I could hardly move, I was aching all over-back, arms, legs. I had a slight headache. It’s now Saturday, and things have slightly subsided. I’m going to speak to my doctor, I’m not sure if I want to do this again. The body rejects what’s not right."

• aZG...
• May 25, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I have taken Ibandronate (Boniva) for 4 months. The first month I did pretty well. The second month started showing some side effects: upset stomach, loss of appetite. The 3rd month I got a terrible headache within 45 minutes of taking it. Then it seems like a cloud was coming over. I looked outside, but there were no clouds. The headache and vision problems lasted over two weeks. Also, I was dizzy. The fourth month (and FINAL) I feel so horrible. Along with all the other side effects, now my heart rate has increased, my blood pressure is elevated, a nervous feeling inside like I'm shaking, I feel like I've been poisoned. I went to my eye doctor just to have him check my eyes because I have glaucoma. He said my eyes look fine, but I still have the headache and vision issues. All these symptoms let up a little, but then come right back again. Today is the 23rd day since I took the 4th dose. I'm just hoping I can purge this out of my system soon! Never again will I take this."

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I am 58 years old and have taken 2 doses of Boniva. The first was a terrible ordeal, but the second was even worse. I woke up the day after feeling horrible, nauseous, dizzy, stomach pains, severe headache, body aches and pains, severe jaw and tooth pain. Even my fingers and toes hurt and have pains shooting through them. I missed several days of work. It's been 10 days since the second dose, and my jaw and back molar still hurt severely, along with many other parts of my body. I am using Maximum Strength Anbesol and Aleve in hopes that the pain in my jaw and teeth will go away and there will be no permanent damage in need of dental work. I will never take this pill or any other of the same kind. I am sticking to Vitamin D3 and Citracal from Costco. Thank you all for the reviews, I wish I had read them before taking this drug. Blessings to you all!"

• Rqt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took the once-a-month pill, and within 2 hours, I was having severe headaches, diarrhea, back pain, and weakness. 36 hours later, and I'm still suffering. Be very careful and consider all the side effects before you take this medicine."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2018

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I've only taken one pill (150 mg) monthly dose. That was 2 days ago. Have had a little more heartburn than usual (I already have reflux) and take meds for it. I've had a little more joint pain and stiffness than usual (but am used to it): am 61 yrs young, after all. Just a little headache this morning. Some dizziness the first day. I was just diagnosed with osteopenia last month. The side effects aren't that bad. I consider it so worth it (considering the alternative - ending up hunched over; unable to stand up straight like the women I sometimes see in public). Note: since taking this drug, I've noticed I can stand upright more. I was beginning to be hunched over. I have a slight degree of scoliosis also. Perhaps if I had taken more calcium and vitamin D when younger, this might not have happened to me. Stopped drinking milk when I was in my 40s. Big mistake."

• AZG...
• August 14, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I took Boniva (Ibandronate Sodium) for 4 times. Feb, March, April, May 2021. It is now the 14th of August 2021, and I am still not feeling well. This drug feels like a poison. The first month, I just had a tummy ache for the first hour or so and a headache. Then the next month, I got a headache and feelings of unease. The third time, it affected my eyes like a cloud was coming over me and made my eyes blurry, increased my anxiety. Also, my heart rate increased, and so did my blood pressure. The fourth and final month, everything just got worse. Severe anxiety, shaky, heart rate, BP, headache, blurry eyes... it is taking a very long time to get it out of my body. I have lost weight. I'm praying I will be healed. NEVER again will I take any osteoporosis drugs. I also tried Evista, which made my legs hurt horribly. Don't take it. Just don't take it. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and do some weights and walking, jumping, etc."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Fine for the first 3 months, 4th dose caused headache, face flushing, upset stomach, major abdomen swelling. Side effects lasted for two weeks. Went to my primary care doctor and got diagnosed with gastritis. Was told it is very common with this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I took my first oral dose 1 month ago. Had gastrointestinal issues about 3 days, with mild headache and acid reflux, which is rare for me. After 3 days, I felt fine and continued my normal exercise. My doctor says Boniva reversed osteoporosis in some of her patients and they successfully come off it and can stay off for several years. She plans to take me off it once I stop taking an aromatase inhibitor (which is known to cause bone loss) in 1-2 years depending on DEXA results."

• Gar...
• September 8, 2021

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."

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

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."

• ARa...
• March 15, 2010

For Osteoporosis "I used Boniva I.V. once. Had flu-like symptoms, headache, runny nose, watery eyes, chest pain, and achy hips. Won't take it again!"

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2018

For Osteoporosis "Took first Boniva for the first time 3 weeks ago. Have had a headache for 4 days, and my stomach is now cramping with diarrhea. Has anyone had this experience?"