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Boniva Side Effects
Headache, indigestion, and diarrhea are some of the more common side effects reported with Boniva. Side effects of the medication are usually minor and don't require treatment, but it is possible to develop serious side effects. Notify your healthcare provider immediately if you experience such side effects of Boniva as jaw or tooth problems, difficulty swallowing, or signs of an allergic reaction.
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As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Boniva® (ibandronate sodium); however, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Boniva. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Boniva side effects with you.)
Boniva has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of Boniva included:
- Back pain -- in up to 13.5 percent of people
- Indigestion or heartburn -- up to 11.9 percent
- Bronchitis -- up to 10 percent
- Arm or leg pain -- up to 7.8 percent
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 7.8 percent
- Diarrhea -- up to 6.8 percent
- Headache -- up to 6.5 percent.
Other common Boniva side effects (occurring in 2 to 6 percent of people) included:
- Infections
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- High cholesterol
- Muscle pain
- Arthritis
- Dizziness
- A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Pneumonia
- Sore throat
- Bladder infection (urinary tract infection or UTI)
- Constipation
- Insomnia (see Boniva and Insomnia).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD