Fosamax osteonecrosis risk could also impact bone in shoulders, knees and hips

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted January 16, 2008

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The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. currently represent individuals who are pursuing lawsuits after developing osteonecrosis of the jaw as a side effect of Fosamax. A new study indicates that the popular osteoporosis drug could also increase the risk of developing osteonecrosis of the knee, hip or shoulders, which leads to painful and debilitating deterioration of the bone.

>>INFORMATION: Fosamax side effects

Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is an oral medication manufactured by Merck & Co, which is part of a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. The medication is prescribed to millions of people for treatment of osteoporosis and works by increasing bone mass density to reduce the risk of fractures. However, a disfiguring and incapacitating Fosamax side effect could be an increased risk of bone necrosis, or bone death.

For nearly two years, Merck has faced Fosamax lawsuits from users who have been diagnosed with jaw osteonecrosis. Studies linked the drug to an increased risk of the irreversible decay of the jaw bone, and many users have suffered jaw infections, exposed bone inside the mouth or required surgery to remove dead portions of their jaw bone.

>>INFORMATION: Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Symptoms

In a study released online yesterday by the Journal of Rheumatology, Canadian researchers found that bisphosphonates, including Actonel, Didrocal and Fosamax, increase the risk of bone necrosis nearly three times. In addition to causing necrosis of the jaw bone, the drugs could also lead to deterioration and death of bone in the shoulders, knees and hips, which results in severe pain and mobility problems.

The study looked at the health records for about 88,000 people from 1996 through 2003 to evaluate the extent of the osteonecrosis side effects associated with Fosamax and the other bisphosphonates. Researchers indicated that the long half life of bisphosphonates, which remain in the system much longer than most medications, could account for the bone decay side effects. The build up of the medication over time could disrupt the blood supply to the bone, causing it to die and become necrotic.

The study comes one week after the FDA issued an alert about muscle, joint and bone pain side effects associated with Fosamax and other bisphosphonates. The alert was issued because many physicians are unaware of that their patients’ bone pain could be a side effect of the osteoporosis drugs,. The FDA indicated that they are conducting an ongoing review of hundreds of reports of pain suffered by users of bisphosphonates.

FOSAMAX BONE NECROSIS LAWSUITS

The Fosamax lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are now reviewing potential lawsuits for individuals who have been diagnosed with jaw osteonecrosis, hip osteonecrosis, shoulder osteonecrosis or knee osteonecrosis. If you, a friend or family member may be experiencing problems as a result of the Fosamax side effects, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

4 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Nancy B says:

    How is one disgnosed with hip/knee osteonecrosis?

    Posted on February 18, 2008 at 5:23 pm

  • Amy says:

    How can one tell the difference between osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis due to Fosamax?

    Is there an effective alternative to Fosamax without the osteonecrosis side effects?

    Is it true that osteonecrosis happens only when the bone is tampered with, e.g., during a dental implant in jaw bone? But if cartilege is worn away in the knee, then bone-on-bone wear can occur. Can this trigger osteonecrosis in a knee bone that has taken up alendronate during long term use of Fosamax?

    Posted on March 3, 2008 at 12:02 am

  • marie says:

    I took Fosomax as presribed for and now I been loosing my teeth and have Jaw problems. I had dental work and lost a tooth . All of teeth all of a sudden just became loose . My doctor stated that I had Osteonecrosis of the jaw. My Jaw just hurts. Now,
    I have

    Posted on March 27, 2008 at 8:39 pm

  • Beth says:

    I have been taking Fosamax then was changed Alendronate for approximately 4 years.
    Since April I have had hip problems that I thought originated in the groin area with severe pain.

    I had a MRI of the hip and it showed osteonecrosis of the hip. Now I am scheduled for hip replacement in about 5 weeks.

    The reason I was given the drug was a bone density test that showed some bone loss, but I was never given any other details.

    Further study needs to be done on this drug to find out if it also causes oseonecrosis of the hip.

    Posted on July 28, 2009 at 11:40 am

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