Ibandronate is prescribed to women who have had menopause (the “change of life,” the end of monthly periods) to prevent and treat osteoporosis, a disorder in which the bones become brittle and weak and break easily. Ibandronate is a member of the bisphosphonate drug class. It functions by halting bone deterioration and boosting bone density (thickness).

Ibandronate is available as an oral tablet. The 150 mg pill is often taken once per month in the morning on an empty stomach, whereas the 2.5 mg tablet is typically taken once daily in the morning on an empty stomach. Take the 150 mg tablet on the same day each month. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Ibandronate should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

If ibandronate is not taken as directed, it might not work as intended, hurt the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), or result in mouth sores. If you are unable to follow these directions or are unsure that you will be able to remember them, please tell your doctor.

• Ibandronate must be taken as soon as you get out of bed in the morning, without waiting to eat or drink anything. Never take ibandronate before going to sleep or right before getting out of bed for the day.
• With a full glass of ordinary water (6 to 8 ounces [180 to 240 mL]), swallow the tablets. Never take ibandronate with anything other than plain water, including tea, coffee, juice, milk, mineral water, sparkling water, and milk products.
• Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole. Avoid sucking on the tablets.
• Do not eat, drink, or take any other drugs (including vitamins or antacids) for at least 60 minutes after taking ibandronate. Ibandronate should not be taken at least 60 minutes before lying down. For at least 60 minutes, remain erect while sitting or standing.

Osteoporosis is not cured with ibandronate, although it does regulate it. Ibandronate only works to cure and prevent osteoporosis when it is routinely taken. Ibandronate should still be used even if you feel OK. Ibandronate should not be stopped abruptly; however, you should periodically discuss with your doctor whether you should continue taking the medication.

You will get the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) from your physician or pharmacist when you start taking ibandronate and each time you refill your prescription. If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. The Medication Guide is also available on the manufacturer’s website or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking ibandronate,

• If you have an allergy to ibandronate, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in ibandronate tablets, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal items, and prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are now taking or intend to take. Mention any of the following: cancer chemotherapy; oral steroids like dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone; angiogenesis inhibitors like bevacizumab (Avastin), everolimus (Afinitor, Zortress), pazopanib (Votrient), sorafenib (Nexavar), or sunitinib (Sutent); aspirin and other nonster (Rayos). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Take any oral drugs, such as antacids, vitamins, or supplements, at least 60 minutes after taking ibandronate.
• Inform your doctor if you are unable to sit or stand upright for at least 60 minutes or if your blood calcium level is low now or has previously been low. Your physician might advise against taking ibandronate.
• Inform your doctor if you have cancer, any type of infection, especially in your mouth, issues with your mouth, teeth, or gums, any condition that prevents your blood from clotting, and if you are undergoing radiation therapy. Other conditions to mention include anaemia (condition where the red blood cells do not carry enough oxygen to all the parts of the body), difficulty swallowing, heartburn, ulcers or other issues with your stomach or oesophagus (tube that connects the throat to the stomach), difficulty
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Ibandronate may stay in your body for years after you stop taking it, so let your doctor know if you intend to get pregnant at any point in the future. If you find out you’re pregnant during or after treatment, call your doctor right away.
• Ibandronate may develop osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a dangerous disorder of the jaw bone, therefore you should be aware of this, especially if you receive dental care while taking the drug. Before you begin taking ibandronate, a dentist should inspect your teeth and carry out any necessary procedures, such as cleaning or repairing ill-fitting dentures. While using ibandronate, be sure you thoroughly brush your teeth and clean your mouth. Before getting any dental work done while taking this medication, see your doctor.
• Ibandronate may induce excruciating joint, muscle, or bone pain, so be aware of this possibility. Days, months, or even years after taking ibandronate for the first time, you can start to experience this pain. It’s critical that you and your doctor are aware that ibandronate may be to blame for this type of discomfort, even though it may start after you’ve been taking it for a while. If you ever have extreme discomfort while receiving ibandronate treatment, call your doctor right once. Your doctor might advise you to stop taking ibandronate, and your discomfort might go away if you do so.
• To prevent osteoporosis from arising or getting worse, discuss further measures with your doctor. The most likely advice you’ll receive from your doctor is to quit smoking, limit your alcohol intake, and engage in regular weight-bearing activity.

While using ibandronate, you should consume a lot of calcium- and vitamin D-rich meals and beverages. Your doctor will advise you on the best foods and beverages to consume in order to get the recommended daily servings of these nutrients. Inform your doctor if you have trouble consuming enough of these items. In that situation, your doctor might suggest or prescribe a supplement.

Do not take the daily 2.5-mg tablet later in the day if you forgot to take it earlier. You should skip the missing dose and resume your normal dosing regimen the following morning. Ibandronate tablets should not be taken twice in one day.

Take one pill the morning after you remember if you neglect to take the once-monthly 150-mg tablet and your next scheduled day to take ibandronate is more than 7 days away. then go back to taking one tablet on the appointed day each month. You should wait until your next scheduled day to take ibandronate if you forget to take the once-monthly 150-mg tablet and your next scheduled day is seven days or less away. Ibandronate 150 mg pills shouldn’t be taken twice in a row.

Call your doctor if you are unsure of what to do if you miss an ibandronate dosage.

Ibandronate could have adverse effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fever, chills, sore throat, cough, and other infection-related symptoms
• Urge to urinate frequently or immediately
• Unpleasant urination

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Before taking any more ibandronate, call your doctor right away if you suffer any of the following symptoms:

• New or escalating heartburn
• Having trouble swallowing
• Difficulty swallowing
• The upper chest
• Rash
• Bruised or painful gums
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw tingling or feeling heavy
• Jaw healing is not very good
• Hips, thighs, or groyne: dull, aching ache

Ibandronate may have other negative consequences. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

Taking a bisphosphonate medication such as ibandronate for osteoporosis may increase the risk that you will break your thigh bone(s). You may feel pain in your hips, groin, or thighs for several weeks or months before the bone(s) break, and you may find that one or both of your thigh bones have broken even though you have not fallen or experienced other trauma. It is unusual for the thigh bone to break in healthy people, but people who have osteoporosis may break this bone even if they do not take ibandronate. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking ibandronate.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Give the victim a full glass of milk in the event of an overdose, and then dial 1-800-222-1222 to contact your local poison control centre. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing. Never let the victim lie down, and never try to make them throw up.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments. To monitor how your body is responding to ibandronate, your doctor may prescribe specific tests.

Inform your doctor and the rest of the medical team that you are taking ibandronate before having any bone imaging tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.