09/28/2009 - Manhattan federal judge declares first of nearly 1,500 plaintiffs lawsuits against Fosamax manufacturer a mistrial. Reports of violence and dessention in the U.S. District court jury deliberation room leads to New York federal judge declaring mistrial. More>>>

09/23/2009 - The recent mistrial concerning claims that Merck's anti-osteoporosis drug Fosamax allegedly weakens jaw bone tissue reminds us of the rather complicated issues many older people face in dealing with bone density problems. By some estimates half of all women and one third of all men over 65 will develop bone density problems. More>>>

09/14/2009 - A federal judge declared a mistrial in the first case to go to a jury over claims that Merck & Co.’s osteoporosis drug Fosamax causes so-called jaw death after a lone juror refused to exonerate the company. More>>>

09/13/2009 - To those tracking the first product liability trial accusing Merck's osteoporosis drug Fosamax of causing debilitating jaw bone deterioration, it should come as no surprise that a mistrial was declared Friday. But the lead plaintiffs lawyer's view of the eight-member jury's failure to reach a verdict may be a bit more eyebrow-raising. More>>>

09/11/2009 - A judge declared a mistrial Friday in a closely watched case involving Merck & Co.'s osteoporosis drug Fosamax after a jury failed to reach a verdict amid tense jury deliberations. More>>>

09/09/2009 - The jury in the bellwether Fosamax case against Merck said today that they could not reach a decision, but the federal judge presiding over the case sent them back to the deliberation room to keep trying. The jury is to decide whether osteoporosis drug Fosamax caused a woman's osteonecrosis of the jaw--or "jawbone death." The plaintiff is asking for at least $1 million. More>>>

09/09/2009 - A Manhattan federal judge has rejected Merck & Co's effort to dismiss 24 cases alleging that its Fosamax drug treatment for osteoporosis causes jaw damage. In an opinion released Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Keenan ruled that the plaintiffs could introduce testimony by two doctors to show that the drug can cause jaw damage after less than three years of continuous use. More>>>

09/09/2009 - A federal judge denied a bid Wednesday by Merck & Co. to exclude the testimony of several expert witnesses and dismiss 24 personal-injury cases over its osteoporosis drug Fosamax. In an order Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John F. Keenan rejected efforts to exclude testimony by two doctors on whether Fosamax can cause a severe jaw condition known as osteonecrosis before three years of continuous use. More>>>

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What is Fosamax?
Fosamax (Alendronate Sodium) is a type of drug known as bisphosphonates. Recently a link has been found between bisphosphonates and a serious bone disease called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ aka. Dead Jaw). This important discovery clearly shows that Fosamax side effects may include osteonecrosis of the jaw, aka, dead jaw or jaw death as well as osteomyelitis of the jaw. Fosamax has also been linked to low energy femur (thigh bone) fractures.

The discovery, published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, prompted both the US, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Novartis, the manufacturer of bisphosphonates used in cancer chemotherapy, to issue a warning to health care professionals on September 24, 2004. The warning letter contained information about bisphosphonates and the risks of osteonecrosis in the jaw.

Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax (Alendronate Sodium), Zometa (Zoledronate), Didronel (Etidronate), Aredia (Pamidronate), Actonel (Risedronate), and Boniva (Ibandronate) are commonly used to treat, prevent, and even reverse bone loss associated with osteoporosis, chemotherapy, and other bone loss disorders. The Strongest 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 bisphosphonates are given in cancer chemotherapy, the drugs are given intravenously, and usually for longer periods of time.

Side Effects Information:

Low energy femur fractures
Fosamax has also been linked to low energy femur fractures.
A study in the May/June 2008 issue of the Journal of Orthopedic Trauma links Merck’s osteoporosis drug Fosamax to a rare type of fracture in the femur. The 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 for four years or more on average.

The Fosamax patients’ fractures also have some distinct characteristics. The study shows that 76% of the 25 patients had a simple fracture with a straight line across the bone. Also, a beak-like overhang on one side of the bone was observed. Furthermore, the patients’ bones didn’t look like typical osteoporotic bone; it appeared strong.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Osteonecrosis of the jaw ( ONJ ) aka. dead jaw, 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. Experts say that prevention and early treatment of individuals using bisphosphonates such as Fosamax is extremely important in preserving the jaw bone. Individuals using Fosomax or other bisphosphonates should attempt to avoid tooth extractions and other major dental work while on the drugs.

Osteomyelitis of the Jaw
Osteomyelitis of the jaw is an imflamation of the marrow-filled central cavity along with the cellular inbetween the trabeculae bone, along with the muscles around it.

Read Fosamax Order and Ruling From U.S. District Court Case >>>

Although most cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw related to Fosamax side effects have occurred after dental work several cases have been reported to occur without any prior dental work. If you are currently taking Fosamax you may be at risk of developing osteonecrosis. If you have been injured by Fosamax side effects you may be entitled to compensation. For more information about your legal rights contact the Fosamax Attorneys of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today.

If you or a loved one have taken Fosamax and have been injured as a result of Fosamax side effects such as osteonecrosis of the jaw or low energy femur fracture, contact the Fosamax lawyer of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today. The Fosamax lawyers of Ennis & Ennis specialize in Fosamax lawsuits resulting from Fosamax side effects injuries. Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is a national mass tort litigation / drug litigation law firm with offices in Washington DC and throughout Florida. Call us today or fill out our free online case evaluation form.