Ibandronate Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 9, 2023.
Applies to ibandronate: intravenous solution. Other dosage forms:
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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ibandronate:
More common
- Back pain
- blurred vision
- difficulty with moving
- dizziness
- headache
- muscle pain or stiffness
- nervousness
- pain in the joints
- pounding in the ears
- slow or fast heartbeat
Less common
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- body aches or pain
- chills
- cough
- cough producing mucus
- diarrhea
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- difficulty with breathing
- ear congestion
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- loss of appetite
- loss of voice
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches and pains
- muscle cramping
- nasal congestion
- nausea
- pain in the arms or legs
- pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
- shivering
- shortness of breath
- sneezing
- sore throat
- sweating
- swollen joints
- tightness in the chest
- trouble sleeping
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach cramps
- agitation
- blurred vision or other change in vision
- bone, joint, or muscle pain (severe)
- coma
- confusion
- convulsions
- decreased urine output
- decreased vision
- depression
- difficulty with swallowing
- eye pain
- eye redness
- eye tenderness
- heavy jaw feeling
- hives
- hostility
- increased tearing
- irregular heartbeats
- irritability
- itching
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- lethargy
- loosening of a tooth
- muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
- muscle twitching
- nausea
- numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
- pain, swelling, or numbness in the mouth or jaw
- rapid weight gain
- rash
- seizures
- sensitivity of the eye to light
- severe eye pain
- stupor
- tearing
- tremor
- unusual pain in the thighs, groin, or hips
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
- Abdominal or stomach pain
Less common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- constipation
- diarrhea
- heartburn
- indigestion
- red streaks on the skin
- stomach discomfort or upset
- stuffy nose
- swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site
- tenderness in the stomach area
- weakness
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
Very common (10% or more): Hypocalcemia
Postmarketing reports: Hypocalcemia[Ref]
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]
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
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]
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, vertigo, influenza-like illness, peripheral edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Malaise, 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
Rash occurred in combination of rash pruritic, rash macular, rash papular, rash generalized, rash erythematous, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic, dermatitis medicamentosa, erythema and exanthema.[Ref]
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, rash[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]
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References
1. Product Information. Boniva (ibandronate). Roche Laboratories. 2005.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.