Fosamax - What is it?
Fosamax belongs to a group of medicines known as bisphosphonates (bis-FOS-fo-nayts). This class of drugs changes the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body. Fosamax was created to slow bone loss while increasing bone mass, which may help to prevent bone fractures.
Fosamax is most commonly used to treat or prevent steroid-induced osteoporosis and postmenopausal osteoporosis. It has also been used to treat Pagets disease of the bone.
Important facts regarding Fosamax - Fosamax Problems
Many individuals taking bisphosphonates like Fosamax have developed problems, including bone loss in the jaw, also known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. The symptoms of jaw osteonecrosis often include numbness, loose teeth, jaw pain, swelling, slow healing after injury or surgery involving the gums and gum infection. Most people taking Fosamax are more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw if you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids. Other conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and a pre-existing dental problem.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider if I am taking Fosamax?
Along with osteonecrosis of the jaw, Fosamax can cause serious problems in the stomach or esophagus.
If you have cancer or have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or steroids you may be more likely to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw. Conditions associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw include blood clotting disorders, anemia (low red blood cells), and dental surgery.
Fosamax is FDA pregnancy category C. which means this medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant and have taken Fosamax. It is not known whether Fosamax passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Fosamax Related Links:
- Biphosphonates and Jaw Necrosis
Cancer patients given drugs called bisphosphonates to control hypercalcemia – too much calcium in the blood – or the growth of bone metastases can develop bone death in the jaw the FDA warns.
- Side Effect Watch: Femur Fractures in Fosamax Patients
A study in the current issue of the Journal of Orthopedic Trauma links Merck's osteoporosis drug Fosamax to a rare type of fracture in the femur.
- Suit Alleges Merck Negligently Promoted Osteoporosis Drug Fosamax
Merck & Co., which is already facing a raft of cases over its pain reliever Vioxx, may need to hire additional attorneys to fight a recently filed lawsuit alleging the company was negligent in promoting its osteoporosis drug Fosamax.
- USA Today - Dead Jawbones linked to drug
Over a three-year period, the jaws of dozens of patients who had undergone oral surgery at his hospital had failed to heal properly. Part of the jawbone had died and become exposed.
- Oral Surgeon Warns about "bis-phossy jaw"
Bisphosphonates, a class of drugs taken by millions of patients for osteoporosis and bone-related complications of metastatic cancer may actually contribute to the onset of osteochemonecrosis, or "bis-phossy jaw," a painful, potentially disfiguring jaw condition, according to an article published in the May issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
- Wall Street Journal says industry moving slowly on problems with Fosamax
After eight operations on patients whose jawbones turned out to be dead, oral surgeon Salvatore Ruggiero began doing some research in February 2001. He scoured the patients' medical records and discovered they had something in common: They were cancer patients taking a drug called Aredia to combat bone loss...
