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Fosamax Bone Fractures

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Fosamax bone fractures are the subject of a lawsuit filed in January 2008 in a New Jersey state court. The plaintiff, a Connecticut woman who had taken Fosamax for 8-1/2 years, developed bone fractures in her legs that led to severe pain and the need for assisted movement.  Her lawsuit alleges that her bone fractures are due to an accumulation of Fosamax in her body.

A New Side Effect?
Merck has marketed Fosamax in the U.S. since 1995 as a treatment to prevent and slow the progression of osteoporosis (bone thinning). Many women treated with Fosamax have already reported the development of ONJ (osteonecrosis of the jaw), and the bone fracture issue may present a similar side effect of this drug.

The defendant pharmaceutical company that makes Fosamax, Merck & Co., acknowledges that Fosamax remains in the body for years once it is consumed, even though the company denies the woman’s allegations.

Fosamax Lawsuits
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Merck is facing about 400 lawsuits based on the Fosamax-ONJ link. It has set aside $50 million for litigation costs related to Fosamax, but since Fosamax sales in 2007 alone amounted to more than $3 billion for Merck, the litigation costs are probably not a significant problem for the pharmaceutical industry giant.

Bisphosphonate Warning
Fosamax is a member of the bisphosphonate category of drugs, which are designed to decrease the activity of bone-dissolving cells and to preserve bone density. Other bisphosphonates include Actonel, which became available to American consumers in 2001, and the once-a-month Boniva, released in 2007.

In January 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert describing "the possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and/or muscle pain in patients taking bisphosphonates." The alert noted that this pain may occur within days of bisphosphonate use, or it may occur after weeks, months, or years of use.

Questionable Benefits of Fosamax
Several medical experts have questioned the benefits of bisphosphonates for the osteoporosis that is common among older women. A recent study of nearly 88,000 subjects revealed that those who took oral bisphosphonates had almost three times the risk of developing osteonecrosis compared to those not taking such medications (reported in the Journal of Rheumatology).

Talk with a Defective Drugs Attorney
If you have been treated with Fosamax, contact a knowledgeable attorney today about your ONJ and bone fracture concerns.

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