What Is Ibandronate Used For?

Ibandronate is used for treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It can also be used to prevent the disease in women who are at high risk for developing it. Healthcare providers may also occasionally recommend "off-label" ibandronate uses, such as for the treatment of high calcium levels in the blood, Paget's disease, and cancer that has spread to the bones.

 

What Is Ibandronate Used For? -- An Overview

Ibandronate sodium (Boniva®) is a prescription medication used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is part of a group of medications known as bisphosphonates.
 
Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a disease characterized by low bone mass (bone thinning) that leads to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Men as well as women are affected by this condition. Fortunately, osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated.
 
Common causes of osteoporosis include:
 
  • Age-related bone loss
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Long-term corticosteroid use
  • Certain diseases.
 
It is also thought that race and ethnicity may also play a role in developing osteoporosis, but more research is needed to determine the connection.
 
Often, osteoporosis treatment is not started until a bone is broken, as there are usually no symptoms of osteoporosis. However, treatment may be started earlier if the disease is detected using a test (see Diagnosing Osteoporosis). In fact, some osteoporosis medications (including ibandronate) can be used for osteoporosis prevention in women who are at high risk for developing the condition (see Risk Factors for Osteoporosis).
 
(What Is Ibandronate Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;