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Ibandronic acid - side effect of bad diarrhoea - suggestions please

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sue05901
sue05901

Hi, (am newly diagnosed Osteoporosis sufferer ) I was prescribed the weekly Alendronic acid, but had terrible bone and muscle pain so after 5-6 weeks was taken off them. Two weeks rest then started Ibandronic acid on monthly tablet, just 6 days ago. From the end of day 2 I have had really bad stomach cramps and bouts of diarrhoea. Have hardly eaten the past 24 hours. Any ideas to aleviate it?  Am concerned that even if it does go off in couple of days it may start again each month.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Mary_D_23339
    Mary_D_23339 sue05901

    Posted

    One of the most common side effects of ibandronic acid is: diarrhoea, sickness and cramps. I am assuming you are taking it exactly as prescribed, i.e.  after 6 hour fast and I hour before first food or drink (other than water) and not lying down after 1 hour of taking it. 

    When first diagnosed with osteoporosis I was prescribed  Alendronic acid  which didn't suit me, persevered and ended up in damaging my oesophagus. I  am now on Prolia with (thank goodness) no side effects. 

    However 1) my osteoporosis is quite advanced and 2) Prolia is one of the most expensive drugs for osteoporosis so it is understandable that your GP will want to start you on a less expensive drug to see how you tolerate it.  

    I have no medical training but would suggest you see how your symptoms go for a few more days but don't suffer in silence!

    I am sure you will receive sound advice from this site from someone who is able to give you some first hand experience.  Good luck.  

    • sue05901
      sue05901 Mary_D_23339

      Posted

      Hi Mary,  thanks for the info. Yes taking as directed especially careful as so many problems with both this and Alendronic!!

      Couldn't believe it when the cramps started within 48 hours of taking it - just praying it doesn't go on too long! Doctor said the last thing I needed was to lose any weight as that won't help the osteoporosis.

      My levels are not too bad - -3.5 generally with couple places in spine and hip a bit worse.

      I'm just worried that as I suffered such tremendous bone and muscle pain with the Alendronic acid, and now this with the Ibandronic, am likely to get problems with Prolia. There seems to be so many bad side effects I really am now in two minds whether just to do the best I can with calcium and diet.....??

  • chris00938
    chris00938 sue05901

    Posted

    Sue I was put on it before my GP even got my bone density results and then discovered that I was below treatment level!  I was talking to my dentist about it today and her comment was 'I wish they'd get the bone density results back before prescribing it' - apparently it's common to prescribe it before they even know people need it, so first of all I'd check that you DO need it.  I'd go back to your GP and ask for an alternative.  I took it for five weeks and had horrendous dizziness, so went back and asked for something else (this was before I got my bone density results and found I didn't need it anyway) and was given the same thing under a different name.  The prescription went straight into the bin.
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