Ibandronate and Pain: What Users Say

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

Ibandronate 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took one dose. Two days later the knife in the stomach started, then the low grade fever started. I called the advice nurse only to be told it was the Boniva. On day 8, the stiff neck, nausea, and joint pain hit. I am talking 7-8 on the pain scale. I couldn't turn my head or pick up anything. My hands swelled to the point of my fingers not moving. I got a really itchy rash on my neck, chest, and stomach. My husband had to help me walk and get into bed. Went to the ER. They loaded me up on prednisone, pain meds, and nausea meds, then sent me home. 'It will stop'. I am on day 18. I shuffle from room to room now, but that is it. The pain ranges from 3 - 8 now. If I sit still, it is a 3, but how long can I just sit still? There is no way I could have worked during this time. There should have been a warning before my deciding to take this med. If you are having a reaction, please add your story to the list."

• bsd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 4, 2015

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I had been on Boniva for 18 months and woke one night with severe chest pain and pain in my throat and jaw. For the next three months, I ran high fevers and suffered chills and incredible pain. My internist denied that it could be this drug and didn't even tell me to stop taking it. I have spent thousands of dollars on tests, and nothing has indicated that it could be anything else but the drug. The only way I have been able to function has been by taking Prednisone and tons of Advil. Be very careful if you take this drug, and if you get any of these symptoms, STOP TAKING IT regardless of what your doctor says."

• Wen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took this medication, Boniva, as prescribed, beginning the dosage 5 days ago. As of the 2nd day, I felt as if my entire body had been poisoned. I was incredibly weak, dizzy, and hurt almost everywhere in my system. Apparently, this is a combination of some of the side effects of the medication, but it was on a far larger scale than I could have expected. 5 days out, I am still mostly bearing all the same effects. My understanding is that this will take 13 days to level out, and perhaps the symptoms will be reduced. I will never take another one of this medication. My bones hurt throughout my entire body. I am not in any sense willing to progress beyond the 1st dose, it has been such a devastation for me."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2017

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Dr. advised taking Boniva. I was so happy that there would be a cure so I wouldn't be bent up like my mother is. However, upon investigation, Boniva works by not letting the dead, used-up bone from naturally shedding. So you get good bone around the dead, brittle bone. Yes, you guessed it, when you have your scan, the density includes this. That's why on the leaflet it still warns of brittle bones. I have stopped taking it. I also got pains, and all my joints started clicking. Is that normal?"

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2017

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "After taking this drug for the past 4 years, my femur broke while I was walking. I fell and could not get up. There was no trauma causing this fall. I now find it takes an average of 8.5 months to heal, and healing may not be complete and pain-free."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "My side effects from Boniva caused me pain, money, and aggravation. Two days into the first month, I had severe face, ear, and neck pain. This lasted for 5 days! The second month, I experienced the same face, ear, and neck pain, accompanied by toothache on both sides of my upper and lower back teeth. I awoke two nights grinding my teeth to the point that one tooth broke off. I did not take Boniva for the 3rd month; however, several days into the month, I noticed that one of my back teeth that I had experienced pain during the two months of Boniva treatment had loosened and raised from the gum. When I finally got a dentist appointment, I had to have one tooth extracted and am due for a 2nd extraction. I will never take Boniva again. This drug cost me $800 dental work! I forgot to say that all of my bones ached as if I had the flu. I was stiff and I felt fatigued. The fatigue lasted for 1 week."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Don't know why I didn't see reviews earlier. Been on Boniva for about 2 years now. I also experience skeletal pain for a few days after I take the tablet. What I have never considered up until now is that my hip pain could be a result of taking Boniva, but reading these reviews it is possible."

• 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."

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

Ibandronate 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!"

• Ann...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 22, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "After breast cancer surgery, my OB/GYN prescribed Boniva for what was diagnosed as 'osteopenia.' I took the drug for 7 years and discontinued it in June of 2015. I realized that my aches and pains, including groin and hip pain, might be related to Boniva, based on other reviews that I had read. I also had lower back pain for at least 3 years at that point. The groin pain went away, but the lower back pain grew worse. I saw 2 rheumatologists and an orthopedic specialist. I was told by one rheumatologist that I had 'borderline' lupus. The other said I had a combination of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The orthopedic specialist diagnosed a disc pressing on the nerve (lower lumbar) based on an MRI. By 2017, my back condition was unbearable, and I had to undergo spinal fusion surgery for spinal stenosis (lower lumbar, L4 & L5). I strongly suspect that Boniva was responsible for these conditions."

• Ann...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 22, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "After breast cancer surgery, my OB/GYN prescribed Boniva for what was diagnosed as 'osteopenia.' I took the drug for 7 years and discontinued it in June of 2015. I realized that my aches and pains, including groin and hip pain, might be related to Boniva, based on other reviews that I had read. I also had lower back pain for at least 3 years at that point. The groin pain went away, but the lower back pain grew worse. I saw 2 rheumatologists and an orthopedic specialist. I was told by one rheumatologist that I had 'borderline' lupus. The other said I had a combination of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The orthopedic specialist diagnosed a disc pressing on the nerve (lower lumbar) based on an MRI. By 2017, my back condition was unbearable, and I had to undergo spinal fusion surgery for spinal stenosis (lower lumbar, L4 & L5). I strongly suspect that Boniva was responsible for these conditions."

• Ann...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 22, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "After breast cancer surgery, my OB/GYN prescribed Boniva for what was diagnosed as 'osteopenia.' I took the drug for 7 years and discontinued it in June of 2015. I realized that my aches and pains, including groin and hip pain, might be related to Boniva, based on other reviews that I had read. I also had lower back pain for at least 3 years at that point. The groin pain went away, but the lower back pain grew worse. I saw 2 rheumatologists and an orthopedic specialist. I was told by one rheumatologist that I had 'borderline' lupus. The other said I had a combination of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The orthopedic specialist diagnosed a disc pressing on the nerve (lower lumbar) based on an MRI. By 2017, my back condition was unbearable, and I had to undergo spinal fusion surgery for spinal stenosis (lower lumbar, L4 & L5). I strongly suspect that Boniva was responsible for these conditions."

• Sto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2023

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I wish I had read the reviews here before I started using this horrible pill. I also wish my doctor would have prescribed the once-a-day one instead of once a month. I have terrible pain in my back and neck, I also felt stiffness in my throat. I feel old and horrible, and I do hope that it will pass. I will NOT take the second dose, then rather live with the idea that I have to be careful because my bones are fragile. Wish I did not take the bone density test as well."

• Duc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took one dose on Saturday morning. I followed the instructions given and had no problems the first day. I woke up early Sunday morning with terrible stomach pain, absolute exhaustion, and pain all over. I don't know if I will try it again... Hoping I can manage to get out of bed tomorrow to go to work."

• Lca...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 5, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took Boniva for 5+ years. Had flu-like symptoms, joint and bone pain, and my teeth would feel loose. Did not associate it with the Boniva. I then developed thigh pain and wound up with two fractured femurs requiring surgery. The orthopedic surgeon confirmed it was due to Boniva. Bone density tests measure quantity, not quality of bone, so are not accurate. This drug is poison, and I do not understand why it is still on the market."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I was prescribed a 150 mg monthly dosage. Developed severe groin pain and dry eyes afterwards. This minimized over the next 30 days, so I took the next month's dose. Groin pain is now constant, dry eyes also. Discontinued on the recommendation of Dr. and Rx."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!!!"

• 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."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Side effects I had from Boniva are horrible arm, upper thigh, and pelvis pain. I had to take pain meds and stopped taking the Boniva now. I have to see an orthopedic doctor - horrible experience."

• 972...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2023

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "One pill caused severe back, neck, hand pain, and stomach pain. Only took one, will not take again."