2. What you need to know before you take
It is important that you take <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> at the right time and in the right way. This is because it can cause irritation, inflammation or ulcers in your food pipe (oesophagus). This is the tube connecting your mouth with your stomach.
Stop taking <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> and tell your doctor straight away, if you get severe chest pain, severe pain after swallowing food or drink, feel very sick or are being sick.
Do not take <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ibandronic acid or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you have problems with your food pipe (oesophagus) such as narrowing or difficulty swallowing
- if you cannot stand or sit upright for at least one hour (60 minutes) at a time
- if you have or ever had low calcium in your blood.
Do not take this medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>.
Take special care with <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any other bisphosphonates
- if you have any swallowing or digestion problems.
- if you have high or low blood levels of vitamin D or any other minerals
- if you have kidney problems
- if you have a galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or have problems with glucose- galactose absorption
If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>.
If you are having dental treatment or surgery or know that you need some in the future, tell your dentist that you are being treated with <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>.
Children and teenagers
<Ibandronic acid 50 mg> should not be used in children and teenagers below age 18 years.
Other medicines and <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription. This is because <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> works.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- supplements containing magnesium,calcium,iron or aluminium
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs called “NSAIDs” such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. This is because NSAIDs and <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> can both irritate your stomach and gut
- a type of antibiotic injection called “aminoglycoside” such as gentamicin. This is because aminoglycosides and <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> can both lower the amount of calcium in your blood.
Taking medicines that reduce stomach acid such as cimetidine and ranitidine, may slightly increase the effects of <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>.
When to take your other medicines
Do not take any other medicines or supplements for at least 6 hours before taking <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>. Once you have taken <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>, wait at least 30 minutes before taking any other medicines or supplements.
<Ibandronic acid 50 mg> with food and drink
It is important to take <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> at the right time and in the right way. See “Taking this medicine” in section 3 for the full instructions about when and how to take.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
It is not known if <Ibandronic acid 50 mg> affects your ability to drive, use machines or tools. Talk to your doctor first if you want to drive, use machine or tools.
Important information about some of the ingredients of <Ibandronic acid 50 mg>
<Ibandronic acid 50 mg> tablets contain a type of sugar called lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
