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BONIVA Side Effects

BONIVA is a prescription medicine for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. It is available in a convenient, easy-to-swallow tablet, which is taken once-monthly.

Common side effects of BONIVA are generally mild or moderate.

Stop taking BONIVA and call your healthcare provider right away if you have:

  • pain or trouble with swallowing
  • chest pain
  • very bad heartburn or heartburn that does not get better

BONIVA may cause:

  • pain or trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
  • heartburn (esophagitis)
  • ulcers in your stomach or esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach)

Common side effects with BONIVA are:

  • diarrhea
  • pain in extremities (arms or legs)
  • dyspepsia (upset stomach)

Less common side effects with BONIVA are short-lasting, mild flu-like symptoms (usually improve after the first dose). These are not all the possible side effects of BONIVA. For more information ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Rarely, patients have reported severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain starting within one day to several months after beginning to take, by mouth, bisphosphonate drugs to treat osteoporosis (thin bones). This group of drugs includes BONIVA. Most patients experienced relief after stopping the drug. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop these symptoms after starting BONIVA.

Rarely, patients taking bisphosphonates have reported serious jaw problems associated with delayed healing and infection, often following dental procedures such as tooth extraction. If you experience jaw problems, please contact your healthcare provider and dentist.

Follow the once-monthly BONIVA 150 mg dosing instructions carefully and learn How to Take BONIVA properly.

  • To lower the chance of heartburn, you should always take BONIVA first thing in the morning — at least 1 hour (60 minutes) before eating or drinking anything except plain water, and before taking any other oral medicines or supplements. And you should take BONIVA while standing or sitting in an upright position, and then not lie down for at least 60 minutes after taking BONIVA
  • You should swallow BONIVA whole with 6 to 8 ounces (1 cup) of plain water (not mineral or sparkling water, coffee, tea, dairy drinks or juice). Some mineral waters may have a higher concentration of calcium and therefore should not be used

These are not all of the possible side effects of BONIVA. For more information on side effects, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Ask your healthcare provider if BONIVA is right for you, and find out how to get one month free.