Boniva vs. Reclast

• Are Boniva and Reclast the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Boniva?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Reclast?
• What Is Boniva?
• What Is Reclast?
• What Drugs Interact with Boniva?
• What Drugs Interact with Reclast?
• How Should Boniva Be Taken?
• How Should Reclast Be Taken?

Boniva (ibandronate) and Reclast (zoledronic acid) are bisphosphonates that alter the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Reclast is also used to treat Paget's disease, high blood levels of calcium caused by cancer (hypercalcemia of malignancy), multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer) or cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body to the bone, and to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis. Reclast is also used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in people who will be taking certain steroid medicines for 12 months or longer.

Side effects of Boniva and Reclast that are similar include headache, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, muscle/joint aches), nausea or stomach upset, injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling), joint pain, or dizziness.

Side effects of Boniva that are different from Reclast include back pain, redness or swelling of your eyes, pain in your arms or legs, weakness, allergic reaction, indigestion, vomiting, spinning sensation (vertigo), upper respiratory infection, pneumonia, or urinary tract infection.

Side effects of Reclast that are different from Boniva include tiredness, cough, vision problems, constipation, or muscle pain.

Both Boniva and Reclast may interact with aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Common side effects of Boniva include:

• back pain,
• headache,
• redness or swelling of your eyes,
• diarrhea,
• flu-like symptoms,
• nausea or stomach upset,
• pain in your arms or legs,
• redness or swelling where Boniva was injected,
• weakness,
• allergic reaction,
• indigestion,
• vomiting,
• joint pain,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation (vertigo),
• upper respiratory infection,
• pneumonia, or
• urinary tract infection.

The most common side effects of Reclast is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Symptoms include:

• nausea,
• tiredness,
• flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, muscle/joint aches),
• cough,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• vision problems,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• joint or muscle pain, or
• injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling).

Boniva (ibandronate) is a bisphosphonate drug that alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. Boniva slows bone loss while increasing bone mass, which may prevent bone fractures.

Reclast is a prescription medicine used to:

• Treat or prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. Reclast helps reduce the chance of having a hip or spinal fracture (break).
• Increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.
• Treat or prevent osteoporosis in either men or women who will be taking corticosteroid medicines for at least one year.
• Treat certain men and women who have Paget's disease of the bone.

It is not known how long Reclast works for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. You should see your doctor regularly to determine if Reclast is still right for you.

Reclast is not for use in children.

Boniva may interact with aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Boniva may also interact with products containing calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron (such as antacids, supplements or vitamins).

Reclast may interact with different drugs. Reclast may interact with diuretics (water pills), antibiotics, other medicines that can harm your kidneys, cancer medicines, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Dosage of Boniva depends on the condition being treated.

• Your doctor will tell you how often you will receive Reclast.
• Reclast is given by infusion into your vein (intravenously). Your infusion should last at least 15 minutes.
• Before you receive Reclast, drink at least 2 glasses of fluid (such as water) within a few hours as directed by your doctor.
• You may eat before your treatment with Reclast.
• If you miss a dose of Reclast, call your doctor or healthcare provider to schedule your next dose.