If you are taking Boniva® monthly medication for your osteoporosis and finding it very expensive, or your insurance doesn't cover it-well, good news is here-it's now available in generic. 

When a brand name drug becomes available in generic that means the original patent has expired and other companies can manufacture it at a much lower price.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the drug to meet certain criteria of exactness for this process to take place; this way you know that the generic is equivalent to the brand name except for some inactive ingredients.  If you have allergies to some inactive ingredients, please check with your pharmacist to see if any of these may be included in the generic form of Boniva.

The monthly pill for osteoporosis is a convenient way to take a medication, so the reduction in price makes it doubly so.

Here are the administration instructions, side effects, and precautions, medications that interfere with Boniva and who should take this drug, to help you to decide if this medication is right for you.

How to take Boniva generic:

• Take on an empty stomach (before first meal) with 8 ounces of plain water
• Stay upright for 60 minutes following administration (sitting or standing)
• Do not take with milk, juice, coffee or other liquid than plain water
• Do not crush, chew or suck on the pill, swallow it whole [1]

Common side effects:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Muscle, back, arm and leg pain
• Heartburn
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache [1]

Adverse side effects:

• Esophagus problems (notify your doctor if you experience difficulty swallowing or inflammation of the esophagus)
• Low calcium levels in blood
• Bone, joint or muscle pain
• Severe jaw bone problems (osteonecrosis)
• Atypical thigh bone fractures [1]

**If you have low blood calcium prior to taking Boniva be sure to have your doctor correct this.  Vitamin D supplements will be recommended as well to take with your medication.

Precautions with Boniva to discuss with your doctor:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Stomach or digestive problems
• If you have low blood calcium
• Planning dental work or tooth extraction
• Kidney problems
• Have trouble with absorbing minerals
• Are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
• Breast-feeding [1]

Medications that may interfere with Bonivas' absorption:

• Antacids
• Aspirin
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatories [1]

Boniva is approved for post menopausal women and men with an osteoporosis diagnosis.

Check with your doctor to see if this medication is right for you.  Taking a monthly medication for osteoporosis can be convenient but make sure it's the right choice. 

You must wait to take any vitamins or supplements after taking Boniva.  Calcium and antacids interfere with the absorption, so wait at least one hour before taking these types of supplements including multiple vitamins and minerals.