Ibandronate (Boniva): a new oral bisphosphonate.

In a 3-year study with 2.5 mg of ibandronate daily in postmenopausal women with at least 1 pre-existing vertebral fracture, the drug reduced new vertebral fractures by 50%, but had no effect on non-vertebral fractures. The 150-mg once-monthly formulation of ibandronate was as effective as the daily one in increasing bone mineral density and decreasing bone turnover markers. It appears to be similar to alendronate and risedronate in efficacy and tolerability, but head-to-head comparisons are lacking.