Osteoporosis is a chronic bone condition where bone tissue is lost faster than it is built. There are two different types of cells in the bone: osteoclasts and osteoblasts. The osteoclasts are responsible for building bony material and the osteoclasts are responsible for maintaining an even balance of bone being built against bone being destroyed. When that balance changes, where the body no longer receives the nutrition it needs in order to build adequate amounts of bony cells, an individual can suffer from osteoporosis.
There are several treatment options which physicians may recommend to their patients that include biphosphonates, a class of drugs that decreases the bone loss and allows for greater bone growth. One of these biphosphanates is Boniva. Researchers believe that the use of Boniva in an osteoporosis program is important to reduce bone loss. (1)
Boniva was the first approved medication by the Federal Drug Administration for quarterly IV injections in the treatment of osteoporosis and the first approved as a once monthly oral medication. (2,3) In fact the medication is now approved for use as daily and monthly oral administration or IV injection on a quarterly basis.
Doctors have found there are some specific contraindications, or situations in which an individual should not take this medication. If a person suffers from low blood calcium, cannot sit or stand for greater than one hour, have poorly working kidneys or are allergic to ibandronate sodium, or any of the other ingredients in the medication they should not be prescribed Boniva. The medication can cause serious problems in the esophagus such as trouble swallowing, heartburn and ulcers.
Whenever beginning a new medication regimen, or if you have received a new diagnosis, you should consult with your primary care physician regarding previous medical issues, all prescriptions being taken as well is over-the-counter medications. This will help to reduce the chances of side effects from medications as well as drug interactions. You should stop taking Boniva and call the physician if they have trouble or pain was swallowing, chest pain or very bad heartburn.
Other more common side effects from the oral administration which are not as serious are symptoms such as diarrhea, pain in the extremities and an upset stomach.
The Federal Drug Administration has approved once monthly oral Boniva as the first and only once a month medicine for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. With once monthly Boniva patients will take only 12 tablets a year versus the 52 required with the current weekly bisphosphnate treatments. Taking the medications once monthly will increase the compliance of patience and increase the effectiveness of the medication.
Based on a three-year study which showed a reduced risk of spinal fractures, Boniva was approved for daily use. Once monthly was approved based on results were randomized, double-blind trial of over 1600 women who suffered from postmenopausal osteoporosis.
The monthly dose of Boniva is equivalent to the daily dose and increasing bone mass density after one year in the lumber spine and others skeletal sites. The group who was taking the monthly medication also had consistently higher bone mass density at others skeletal sites which were measured during the study.
The drug manufacturer recommends that daily or monthly Boniva should be taken first thing in the morning at least one hour before eating or drinking anything else. It should be taken with water only, not mineral water nor coffee nor any other drinks. After taking Boniva individuals should not lie down for at least 60 minutes, nor eat or drink for at least an hour. (4)
Boniva has been found to decrease the risk of bone fractures which is the ultimate goal of the treatment of osteoporosis. Researchers believe it improves the health and lifestyle of adults as they grow older.
(1) MayoClinic.com: Osteoporosis
(2) Roche: FDA Approves First Quarterly IV Injection for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in US
(3) Drugs.com: Boniva
http://www.fda.gov/ Boniva Tablets