Fosamax Lawsuit Fosamax Pills
 
Fosamax as well as other bisphosphonates have been known to cause serious side effects such as Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, aka. Dead Jaw. If you or a loved one have been injured by Fosamax side effects you may be entitled to compensation.
Fosamax News
Free Case Evaluation

 

USC Study Links Jaw Infections to Osteoporosis Drugs

-Bell Gardens Sun

06/09/2008- A group of University of Southern California School of Dentistry researchers says it has identified the slimy culprits killing the jawbones of some people taking drugs that treat osteoporosis.

Microbial biofilms, a mix of bacteria and sticky extracellular material, are causing jaw tissue infections in patients taking bisphosphonate drugs, said Parish Sedghizadeh, lead researcher and assistant clinical professor at the USC School of Dentistry.

Sold under brand names such as Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel, bisphosphonates are prescribed to millions of patients to combat osteoporosis, a bone-wasting disease that increases the risk of fractures.

Sedghizadeh said there have been increasing reports of osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw in patients who have been taking the drugs for osteoporosis or for treatment from the bone-wasting effects of cancer. He said he decided to investigate further after seeing patients in USC dentistry clinics who had the unusual jaw infection.

“This is the first study that identifies microbial biofilms in the bone of bisphosphonate patients who have osteonecrosis of the jaw,” Sedghizadeh said.

Jaw osteonecrosis occurs when bacteria-laden biofilms infect the jaw after the bone is exposed, typically because of a tooth extraction or injury.

USC researchers used powerful scanning electron microscopes to study patients’ jawbone samples. The images revealed biofilm bacteria sprawling over pitted tissue. Once thought to be free-floating, USC researchers now believe bacteria build biofilm communities, attaching to surfaces and communicating and defending against antimicrobial invaders.

The scientists are now trying to determine why bisphosphonate drugs seem to open the door for biofilm-associated infections of the jaw.

“Now that we’ve know biofilms are behind the infection of the jaw, we are studying ways to effectively treat or prevent the osteonecrosis,” Sedghizadeh said.

The study was funded by the USC School of Dentistry with the assistance of a USC Zumberge Research and Innovation Award.

The results of the study are published in the April issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

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 experienced low energy femur fracture due to the use of Foasamax, call the Foasamax attorneys of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today or fill out our free case evaluation form on this page.

Required fields in yellow
 
Name:
Email:
 
Telephone: (123-123-1234)
 
Mailing Address:
 
City:
 
State:
 
Zip Code:
On behalf of whom are you inquiring?
 
Is the person deceased?
Yes No
 
If the person is deceased please list the cause of death as listed on the death certificate:
 
Please list the dates that Fosamax was used (MM/DD/YYYY):
to
 
When did you seek medical attention for the side effects you listed above?
Please list any side effects of Fosamax that you have been diagnosed with:
Please list any additional information you feel may be relevant to your potential Fosamax side effects case:
 
 

 

 
Nationwide Free Case Evaluations: 1-800-856-6405