Title: Vital Information for Osteoporosis Patients on Boniva Ibandronate Acid Therapy

Boniva (Ibandronate) is a prescription drug to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It also reduces the risks of fractures arising out of this condition. Patients who opt for Boniva should begin their treatment by reading the Patient Information leaflet carefully. You should go through it every time the prescription is renewed and to clear any doubts regarding the dosing guidelines so as to maximize absorption and medical benefit.

Each Boniva tablet contains 2.5 mg or 150 mg Ibandronate Sodium which is the active ingredient in this medication. In addition, there are several inactive ingredients such as lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, purified stearic acid, povidone, crospovidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, and purified water. The tablet film coating comprises titanium dioxide, hypromellose, talc, polyethylene glycol 6000, and purified water.

• You should take the Boniva pill at least 1 hour before your first food or drink (except water) in the morning only. The same time gap is also applicable to the taking of any other oral medications or supplements that include vitamins, minerals, or antacids.

• Boniva (Ibandronate) tablets should be orally taken by swallowing them whole with a full glass of plain water (no mineral water). While taking the pill, you should stand or sit in an upright position to smooth the progress of the pill to the stomach, thereby reducing the risk for esophageal irritation. Patients are advised not to lie down or bend for 60 minutes after taking the medicine.

• Plain water must be your only medium of swallowing the tablet. Do not use mineral waters as they may contain a higher absorption of calcium.

• Chewing or sucking of the Boniva tablet is strictly prohibited as it may pose a potential danger for oropharyngeal ulcers. The only way is to swallow the tablet whole.

• If you’re taking the Boniva 2.5 mg tablet once daily, it must be taken at the same time each day, i.e. the first thing in the morning. In case of a missed dose, skip that dose completely and revert to your regular dosing schedule the next day. Never take two 2.5 mg tablets in one day.

• In case of once-monthly Boniva 150 mg tablet, you should take the dose on the same date every month. In case you miss the once-monthly dose on the specified date and your next dosing scheduled day is more than 7 days away, you’re instructed to take the 150 mg tablet in the morning straightway. But, you must return to your original dosing date in the subsequent month.

• In case you forget to take the once-monthly dose of Boniva and the next dosing scheduled day is 1 to 7 days away, it is best to skip that missed dose entirely and wait for the next scheduled day to come. Never take two 150 mg tablets within one week.

Patients who have insufficient dietary intake should increase the consumption of supplemental vitamin D and calcium. However, they must take these supplements only after 60 minutes of oral administration of Boniva (Ibandronate) tablets in order to facilitate maximum absorption of the medication.