Fosamax Health Risks
The report that proves Fosamax causes bone death also known as dead jaw syndrome or osteonecrosis [ONJ] shook the patients suffering from osteoporosis and cancer. These patients comprised of large no. of women. However, there are thousands of men using Fosamax to increase the bone mass are also at a higher risk of developing osteonecrosis.
Fosamax is a bisphosphonate used for increasing bone mass in the weak boned patients. It is a prescription drug for the postmenopausal women who suffer from osteoporosis. Male patients suffering from several different ailments like male osteoporosis and prostate cancer take the drug available in liquid or tablet form. Some men suffer from osteoporosis due to the repeated exposure of steroids like prednisone.
Fosamax Side Effects and Male Patients
Merck manufactures Fosamax as a miracle drug that prevents bone loss and increases bone density. However, according to the recent studies, it has been unfolded that Fosamax decreases the bone health by causing osteonecrosis. ONJ is a condition in which the bone rots in the jaw. An osteonecrosis patient suffers from loose teeth and painful inflammation. He may require long-term antibiotic treatment or oral surgery. Patients suffering from cancer and taking liquefied Fosamax are at an increased risk of developing ONJ.
Merck, manufacturer of Fosamax denied all the allegations that the consumption of Fosamax causes ONJ. However, oral surgeons and doctors across the country are speaking against the side effects of Fosamax. According to the studies published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, there is a link between the Fosamax and ONJ or bone death. It was further supported by the study published in the American Association of Endodontists, patients using Fosamax are at an increased risk of developing ONJ. Due to the pressures from these organizations and doctors, the Food and Drug Administration asked Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, to increase the warning label on Fosamax bottles.
Problems for Merck, manufacturer of Fosamax began with the public outcry against the use of Fosamax. In 2006, it was reported that many deaths occurred due to osteonecrosis linked with the use of Fosamax. In April 2006, a class action lawsuit was registered in Fort Meyers, Florida. Patients using Fosamax should consult their healthcare professional whether to continue with the drug or not. Further, seek the advice of an experienced attorney who will assist you in filing a lawsuit against the company for the damages caused to you by the use of Fosamax.
Use of Fosamax Leads to Serious Side Effects
For many years, Merck and Co. manufactured alendronate sodium, a bisphosphonate marketed as Fosamax D and Fosamax. Fosamax is used for the treatment of decreased bone density and osteoporosis. It has also been used to reverse bone loss in female patients. It is consumed once a week either in a liquid form or in the tablet forms. Fosamax D and Fosamax are commonly prescribed to the postmenopausal women suffering from Osteoporosis.
According to Merck, manufacturers of Fosamax, side effects of this drug include severe joint or muscle pain, difficulty in swallowing, heartburn and problems in upper digestive system. Merck recommends that women suffering from esophagus disorders, low calcium in blood and kidney diseases avoid using Fosamax. Additionally, Merck suggests that the patients taking Fosamax should not lie down within thirty minutes of taking the drug as it may cause irritation in the esophagus.
However, Merck failed to warn against the osteonecrosis, a disease caused by the use of Fosamax. Patients suffering from osteonecrosis have poor blood supply to the bones that prevents restoration of bone and thus leading to the slow death of the bone. Since 2001, more than 24,000 patients using bisphosphonates suffered from dead jaw.
Severe side effects of Fosamax are found in the patients who are on chemotherapy as they take the intravenously, however, it has been found in other patients too. “Dead jaw” leads to swelling and loosening of teeth and severe infections. Other patients using Fosamax suffers from bone and joint pain.
Four factors on which the risk for ONJ is based for the patients using Fosamax:
- History of osteoporosis, Paget’s disease and cancer
- Concurrent use of steroids
- Intravenous use of Fosamax D or Fosamax
- History of dental treatment like extraction or implant
In March 2006, FDA declared that some patients using Bisphosphonate died due to Osteonecrosis. This led to the public out cry to mention osteonecrosis on the warning labels of Fosamax. A female patient using Fosamax accused Merck of withholding the information that Fosamax slowly causes bone death .The complaint was filed in the federal court of Fort Meyers, Florida represented over 10 million patients using Fosamax. In 2004, according to a study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, there was a link between the Fosamax and ONJ and bone death.
According to the experts, only ten percent of the total cases are reported to the FDA.