08/17/2008- Dear Dr. Gott: I just read in The New York Times that long-term use of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis can lead to weaker bones in some people. Since I suffer from the disease, I am very concerned. I question whether I should discontinue my medication. More>>>

08/13/2008- Prescribers have been told to stay alert to the side-effects of an osteoporosis drug after it was found to weaken bones in the jaws of patients. More>>>

08/09/2008- Doctors often prescribe bisphosphonates for both osteoporosis as well as certain cancers. And usage has been increasing due to large-scale marketing and advertising to consumers. More>>>

07/29/2008- Five years ago, I developed duodenal ulcers after taking Fosamax for six weeks. I was also taking ibuprofen for headaches at the same time. More>>>

07/20/2008- A 2001 study of beagles taking high doses of bisphosphonates found an accumulation of microscopic damage, though there was no evidence that their bones were weaker. More>>>

07/17/2008-Researchers are questioning the effectiveness of bone-building drugs used to fight osteoporosis, saying they might weaken bones in a subset of patients. More>>>

07/08/2008 - Specialists in the Republic of Ireland have played down fears that a drug commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) can cause severe jaw problems. More>>>

06/26/2008- MIAMI (CBS4) ― A drug promoted to older women to help them deal with aging may in some cases do more harm than good. More>>>

06/20/2008- The FDA has issued a new warning that a popular class of osteoporosis drugs may lead to severe, chronic and even permanent pain in muscles, joints and bones. More>>>

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. 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.

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.