FOSAMAX

Fosamax (alendronate), manufactured by Merck, gained FDA approval in 1995. It is a medication used for bone loss, but has been implicated in the serious necrosis of the jaw and other bones, a condition known as "osteonecrosis" also called "bone death."

Fosamax is a bisphosphonate medication used to increase bone mass, reduce bone fractures and prevent and treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. However, cases of osteonecrosis (involving the jaw) have been reported in patients treated with bisphosphonates. The majority of the reported cases are in cancer patients who are having, or have had, a dental procedure.

With osteonecrosis, 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. Experts say that prevention and early treatment of individuals using bisphosphonates such as Fosamax is extremely important in preserving the jaw bone. Individuals using Fosamax or other bisphosphonates should attempt to avoid tooth extractions and other major dental work while on the drugs.

The discovery of the Fosamax-osteonecrosis connection was first published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in May 2004. That information prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require that all bisphosphonate labels should mention osteonecrosis. Other drug companies updated their labels to include the warnings in 2004. To date, Merck has not included the warning on its Fosamax label.

Bisphosphonates remain in bone indefinitely. Symptoms of bone death in the jaw include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Infection of the gums
• Loosening of the teeth
• Poor healing of the gums
• Numbness, or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw
• Exposed bone.

Fosamax can also irritate the esophagus, and care must be taken in order to avoid such irritation. Recently, researchers discovered that taking Fosamax in combination with the popular arthritis drug Naproxin may increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers.

See your doctor if you have experienced serious side effects associated with Fosamax. In addition, it may be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit. If you have been injured by Fosamax side effects you may be entitled to compensation.

We urge you to contact the experienced attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable resources and experience. Whether we?re gathering evidence, giving advice, or talking with insurance companies, we are always your representative.

We bring this important information to your attention to better educate you about the risks and dangers of prescription and pharmaceutical drugs.

For more information on Fosamax, see our Fosamax Frequently Asked Questions.