Fosamax® is a bisphosphonate medication used for bone loss. Users of Fosamax have suffered femur fractures, osteonecrosis of the jaw, also known as Jaw Necrosis, ONJ, Bis-Phossy Jaw or Dead Jaw. Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, failed to warn users of these side effects of Fosamax. Actonel, Aredia and Zometa, other bisphosphonate products have also been linked to fractured femurs and bone loss in the jawbone.
Femur Fractures in Fosamax Patients
A medical study in the Journal of Orthopedic Trauma links Merck's osteoporosis drug Fosamax to a rare type of fracture in the femur. The small, observational study looked at 70 patients who experienced low-energy femur fractures, which occur when someone falls from a standing height or less. Twenty-five patients (36%) were taking Fosamax on average for four years or more. The Fosamax patients' fractures had some distinct characteristics: Nineteen (76%) of the 25 patients had a simple fracture with a straight line across the bone and and a beak-like overhang on one side. Also, the patients' bones didn't look like typical osteoporotic bone; it looked strong.
Merck Disagrees with Fosamax Fracture Femur Medical Study
Merck pointed out that Fosamax and other drugs in its class, known as bisphosphonates, have been shown to decrease the risk of a type of femur fractures common in patients with osteoporosis. In a statement on the new study, Merck said that "a causal association with bisphosphonates and either the fracture pattern or the frequency of these fractures has not been established by the authors."
Fosamax Jaw Bone Injury Explained
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) in medical terms means dead (necrosis) and bone (osteo). This painful and disfiguring condition causes the jaw bone to decay and die. Symptoms of osteonecrosis may lead to infection of the jaw and exposed portions of bone inside the mouth. This Fosamax warning was published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and it prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the manufacturer of Fosamax to issue a warning to health care professionals on September 24, 2004. Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) is a condition in which the bone tissue in the jaw fails to heal after minor trauma such as a tooth extraction, causing the bone to be exposed. The exposure can eventually lead to infection and fracture and may require long-term antibiotic therapy or surgery to remove the dying bone tissue. Medical experts say early detection and early treatment of patients with jaw bone necrosis is extremely important in preserving the jawbone. (See: Fosamax Jaw Bone Loss ONJ)
Fosamax - Alendronate Sodium
Bisphosphonates are commonly used in tablet form such as Fosamax (generic: Alendronate Sodium) to prevent osteoporosis and treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Stronger forms of bisphosphonates are commonly used in the management of advanced cancers that have metastasized to the bone, where the disease often causes bone pain and possibly even fractures. Several cancers can involve or metastasize to the bone, including lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and others.
When Fosamax and other bisphosphonates are given in cancer chemotherapy, they may be given intravenously and usually for longer periods of time. If you or a loved one are being prescribed Fosamax or other bisphosphonates, then it is very important that you inform all of your doctors, dentists, oral surgeons and other medical providers. There has been no Fosamax recall issued by Merck or by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Fosamax Fractured Femurs & Jawbone Necrosis (ONJ) Lawsuits
If you or a loved one have taken Fosamax and suffered from a femur fracture or necrosis of the jawbone, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) please use our online form for a Free Confidential Fosamax Lawsuit Evaluation or call Toll Free 1-800-883-9858 to talk to a Fosamax Lawyer.
