Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Is Bone Drug Linked to Heart Attack?

Q. I am a 54-year-old woman, with extremely low cholesterol and no risk factors for heart disease. I had a heart attack resulting from an artery spasm two weeks ago after my second dose of Boniva.
The doctors were totally floored. I am so healthy that it made absolutely no sense. They were unable to find any damage or plaque in my arteries in the angiogram.
I noticed an article you wrote about a woman who also suffered a heart attack while taking Boniva. Is there any new information on a connection between this drug and heart attacks?
I am so angry I even took the drug. My bone density wasn’t that bad.
A. We have forwarded your report to the FDA. It is the second report of heart attack on Boniva we have received, but there is no warning about arterial spasm or heart attacks in the official labeling information and the FDA has not confirmed any link. There are reports that this osteoporosis drug can raise blood pressure and cholesterol.
Most people tolerate Boniva well, but some experience serious heartburn and severe irritation of the esophagus. Others complain of incapacitating muscle or joint pain. Rare cases of jawbone death have also made headlines recently.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.