Ibandronate and Diarrhea: What Users Say

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

Ibandronate 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."

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

Ibandronate 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!"

• MTV...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2018

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took my first dose last March 1st, am standing up. I was taking other supplements for calcium, and I followed the OB GYNE’s instructions as well as the one inside the package. I had breakfast 2 hours later and took my other supplements an hour later. In the late afternoon, my voice started getting hoarse, then I was having heartburn extending to my back. I thought it was just reflux, but despite taking my reflux medication, it never went away, instead, it aggravated. At 9 pm, I could hardly move my body and had diarrhea. I slept on my tummy, and when I woke up at 11 pm, I was feverish, and it was very difficult to get up. I thought I would be paralyzed... seriously! I was rushed to the hospital and was confined for 2 days. While at home, I still have slight chest pains and pain in the joint between my left arm and shoulder. This drug is sold at a very high price, and the adverse effects even cost me more!!!! I will never take this again and would caution my friends from taking it!"

• laf...
• December 18, 2012

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I tried weekly Boniva and had severe flu symptoms each time, and I had to stop taking it. That was approximately 1 year ago. Now, I'm taking it once monthly. I thought it was okay, no flu, but I'm having diarrhea and pain in my upper thigh after taking it twice. I just had the 3rd one yesterday, and the diarrhea is bad."

• Pip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2018

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Yesterday I took my first Boniva tablet. I had gotten up and took the pill with a glass of water as directed. I timed my 60 minutes before I could take anything else. I was standing and walked my dog. Within 15 minutes, I felt a reflux and felt weak and light-headed, so I went home and had a smaller glass of water. I remained upright sitting for 2 hours. I continued to sit upright until 4 pm. I felt like I had the flu: weak, nauseated, light-headed, and chills. I took a nap from 4-7 pm. When I got up, I felt better with only feeling still weak. Today I woke up feeling fine but have had loose stools all day. I have not yet spoken to my Dr. But I won't take Boniva a second time. I don't want to spend 2 days feeling ill. I will try other recommendations from my Dr."

• No ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 29, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I am sensitive to all medications, so my rheumatologist selected Boniva infusions intentionally. We started at half the normal dose every three months, and things seemed fine. On the fifth dose, I had pain that seemed to move all over my body and landed in my jaw. I could barely chew food. My dentist thought it was TMJ. I checked with the doctor to see if the dose had increased, and she said no but to try Tylenol next time, beginning the day before treatment and continuing for three days. A nurse I have never had at the infusion center told me I am on a full dose! I agreed to try again, and she gave me saline to hydrate so it would help my body deal with the medication. I am on day five, and my head, neck, and jaw ache. I am fatigued and feel flu-like with nausea. Yesterday, I had diarrhea. I have decided to cease taking these treatments."

• Mir...
• February 2, 2018

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I started my first pill last Friday morning. All day Friday I felt good. Saturday morning I woke up with severe sternum pain and pain around my lower ribs. I hurt so bad I called the clinic. They said it was one of the side effects and just alternate between Tylenol and Motrin for the rest of the day. My hips hurt, my knee hurt, and from 9 am to 1 pm (4 hours) I had horrible chills and my hands felt ice cold. By nighttime my arm bones hurt. Sunday my lower back started to hurt. Motrin again. Monday arms ached all day. Tuesday felt better. I never had the diarrhea. I'm surprised how many women said the same thing about the horrible sternum pain. My doctor says the next dose won't be so bad...wondering if I should even do a next dose. My mother is badly stooped over and I want to avoid that but am having second thoughts about this medication."

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

Ibandronate 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."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2017

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Just took my first monthly dose yesterday. After about 5 hours, severe diarrhea started, and I still have it a day later. Back pain with chest heaviness, too. I feel like I have been run over by a Mack truck. Don't know if I will continue the medication."

• Din...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Having DEXA scans once a year for the past 5 years (age 57). The first scan showed osteopenia. Took a calcium supplement but developed calcification in the shoulder bone. Next year, the DEXA scan shows improvement. The year after that, and following the first two doses of the COVID vaccine, the DEXA shows osteoporosis! Dr. prescribed Boniva and said I need to start it right away. Took my first pill in the morning following all the directions (on an empty stomach, can't lie down for at least an hour after taking it). Feeling fine all day until late in the evening when I started feeling a little lightheaded, so I went to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night feeling absolutely horrible. Cold sweat, diarrhea, vomiting, uncontrollable chills, and back pain that felt like an electric current was passing through me when I tried to walk. This lasted for a few hours. The next day, I was absolutely drained and just wanted to sleep. Never took the drug again."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2023

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I was prescribed Boniva in June 2022 and had bad diarrhea the next morning and joint pain the next several days. So then my doctor put me on Fosamax, and I had diarrhea and developed burping for several months. I had never burped in my life that I can recall, but would burp 30-40 times a day. My doctor said she had never heard of that, but I found a study being done on the internet. So then, she put me on Actonel, and I had diarrhea for 2 days and an overall bad feeling. Then she put me back on Boniva to try again, and I had bad diarrhea and joint pain. I don't like any of it - I just might take my chances and not take any meds for osteoporosis - sigh."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!!!"

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

Ibandronate 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?"