Boniva and Insomnia

Boniva (ibandronate) is a medication used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. It works by preventing bone breakdown in women who have been through the menopause.

Does Boniva Cause Insomnia?

Insomnia is a fairly common condition whereby people have difficulty sleeping, and do not obtain enough sleep as they feel they need. It can be transient and pass in a few days, or it can be long-term and a problem a patient has to live with for years.  2% of patients (1 in 50) taking Boniva will experience insomnia. Boniva is likely to be a contributing factor in insomnia for some of the patients taking it.

However, there are a lot of other causes for insomnia; these include physical problems like chronic pain and restless leg syndrome, physical discomfort due to excessive noise, and short and long term psychological problems such as worries over finance, anxiety and depression.

Signs of Insomnia

Insomnia can present in a number of ways: you may have difficulty falling asleep; you may wake up repeatedly during the night; you may wake up early in the morning and be unable to return to sleep. Whatever symptoms of insomnia that you experience, the main problem is that you are left tired and unable to function properly during the daytime.

What can I do about my Insomnia while taking Boniva?

There are a number of methods which you can use to combat insomnia when taking Boniva:

• Contact your physician and explain your symptoms. There may change your Boniva medication, or they may find another cause for your insomnia. They may also choose to try you on some sleeping tablets.
• Avoid eating meals, drinking caffeine and exercising in the three hours before you go to bed. This is because all of these behaviours prepare your body to be active, rather than for sleep.
• If possible, go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Getting into a pattern with your sleeping will allow you to fall asleep more easily.
• Keep your bedroom at a temperature that is warm but not too hot; it should be slightly cooler than your living room. Too hot or too cold and you’ll find it difficult to sleep.
• Get yourself into a sleep routine: drink a warm milky drink before bed, have a relaxing bath or shower, and read a book before going to sleep.  This will allow your mind to wind-down, and relax and prepare for bed. The repetition of this every night will quickly cause your body to prepare for sleep more easily.
• Avoid doing too many stimulating activities in your bedroom, such as using a computer, phone or watching television. This will make you associate your bedroom with work and activity, rather than relaxation and sleep.
• If you cannot fall asleep within 20 minutes of trying, leave your bedroom and complete a relaxing activity until you feel sleepy. This will stop you associating your bedroom with worries and difficulty sleeping.