Bonviva
How does it work?
Bonviva tablets and injection contain the active ingredient ibandronic acid, which is a type of medicine called a bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are medicines that prevent the breakdown of bone.
Bone is not a static structure. It is continually shaped, reformed and rebuilt by cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts. These cells continously deposit and remove calcium and phophorous, stored in a protein network that makes up the structure of the bone. Old bone is broken down by the osteoclasts and new bone is formed by the osteoblasts.
In women at the menopause, blood levels of the female hormone oestrogen start to decrease. This results in an increase in bone breakdown by the osteoclasts, which can lead to a loss of bone density. Bone loss is particularly rapid for the first ten years after the menopause and it may lead to the development of osteoporosis - a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle and break (fracture) more easily.
Ibandronic acid is used to treat osteoporosis in women who have passed the menopause. It works by binding very tightly to the bone and preventing the calcium being removed by the osteoclasts. This stops the osteoclasts from breaking down the bone, which helps to keep the bones strong and less likely to break.
In women who have passed the menopause, ibandronic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of breaking a bone in the spine, but it is not known if it is effective at preventing hip fractures.
Bonviva can be administered by mouth or by injection into a vein. If taken by mouth, one Bonviva tablet is taken once a month, preferably on the same date each month. Alternatively, Bonviva injection can be administered every three months.
As this medicine slows bone turnover and so prevents calcium being rebsorbed from the bones into the blood, it can cause the amount of calcium in your blood to fall too low. If you are having this medicine as a three-monthly injection, you will need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent this. If you are taking this medicine as a monthly tablet, your doctor will usually only ask you to take supplements if your dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D is low.
What is it used for?
Warning!
Use with caution in
Not to be used in
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
Other medicines may interfere with the absorption of Bonviva tablets from the gut and could therefore make the medicine less effective. This is especially the case with antacids (indigestion remedies), calcium supplements and medicines containing aluminium, magnesium or iron. For this reason, you should not take any other medicines by mouth in the six hours before you take your Bonviva tablet, or in the hour after you have taken the tablet.
There may be an increased risk of irritation to the foodpipe (oesophagitis) if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac or indometacin are taken in combination with Bonviva tablets. These types of painkiller are best avoided by people taking Bonviva tablets. Ask your pharmacist for further advice.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredient
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