Short answer: The ibandronate label says that if your next monthly date is more than 7 days away, take one 150 mg tablet the morning after you remember. If it is only 1 to 7 days away, wait for that date. Either way, go back to your usual monthly date. The Medication Guide says not to take it later in the day.
| Situation | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Schedule | One 150 mg tablet once monthly on the same date each month (2.1) |
| Next dose more than 7 days away | Take one tablet the morning after you remember (2.4) |
| Next dose 1 to 7 days away | Wait until next month's scheduled day (2.4) |
| After catching up | Back to your original monthly date (2.4) |
| Later the same day | Do not take it (Medication Guide) |
| Doubling up | Not two 150 mg tablets in the same week (17) |
Section 2.4 gives two cases. If the next scheduled ibandronate day is more than 7 days away, take one 150 mg tablet in the morning after the date you remember. If the next scheduled day is only 1 to 7 days away, wait until that next month's day to take the tablet. In both cases, go back to one tablet every month on your previously chosen day.
Example: your date is the 1st and you remember on the 10th. The next dose is more than 7 days away, so under the label you would take a tablet on the morning of the 11th, then the next one on the 1st. If you only remember on the 26th, you would wait for the 1st.
Section 17 says patients should not take two 150 mg tablets within the same week. The 7-day rule in section 2.4 is what keeps the catch-up tablet and the next one apart.
The Medication Guide says: if you miss a dose, do not take it later in the day, and call your doctor for instructions. Section 2.2 asks for the tablet to be taken at least 60 minutes before the first food, drink (other than water) or medicine of the day, with 6 to 8 ounces of plain water, staying upright for 60 minutes.
This page summarizes FDA labeling. It is not personalized medical advice; confirm what to do with your prescriber or pharmacist.