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Fosamax: More Danger than Benefit

April 19, 2006

Several health experts are claiming that Mercks osteoporosis drug Fosamax poses greater risks than benefits to the millions of people who take this medication. Fosamax has been linked to a serious condition called osteonecrosis, which can result in extensive bone tissue infection and death following oral trauma or surgery. If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects due to long-term use of Fosamax, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses and suffering with the help of a qualified and experienced Fosamax attorney.

What is Fosamax?

When the FDA approved Fosamax, a bisphosphonate, about ten years ago, Merck aggressively promoted the drug to adult women by perpetuating a fear of hip fracture and the need for regular bone-density tests.

Prior to 2002, estrogen therapy was the preferred method of preventing osteoporosis in perimenopausal women. After the Womens Health Initiative found that estrogen therapy poses serious cancer risks, the sale of drugs like Fosamax shot through the roof.

Fosamax is now used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. It is also used to treat patients whose cancer has metastasized to the bone.

Limited benefit of Fosamax

Experts say that Fosamax may improve bone density, but does little to prevent fractures. Some researchers have even found that long-term use of Fosamax can make bones more brittle, thus increasing the risk of fractures.

Osteonecrosis

Evidence has also revealed that Fosamax can increase the risk of osteonecrosis, a serious bone disease of the jaw (ONJ). According to experts in the field, ONJ 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. This exposure can lead to infection, fracture, and extensive tissue death, requiring long-term antibiotic use or surgery to correct.

One study, quoted by United Press International in April 2006, found that nearly 2,500 patients taking a bisphosphonate like Fosamax, have suffered jaw-bone damage since 2001. Another 120 patients suffered incapacitating bone, muscle, or joint pain. Health experts have discovered 1,100 cases of Fosamax osteonecrosis in the past six to nine months.

Even after stopping use of Fosamax, the drug can stay in the body for up to ten years.

Liability

In April 2006, a federal Fosamax lawsuit was filed against Merck. This lawsuit alleges that Fosamax is a defective drug, which causes more harm (osteonecrosis) than benefit (limited bone protection). This Fosamax claim also alleged that Merck intentionally concealed the risks of Fosamax from the public. Additional, the suit argues that Merck has failed to comply with the FDAs request to add a ONJ warning to all Fosamax labeling.

Attorneys in the Fosamax lawsuit are seeking class action status to represent the millions of people who have taken this drug, thousands of which have suffered serious injuries.

Some experts predict that Mercks liability over Fosamax will match or exceed that for their infamous drug Vioxx.

For more information on drug safety concerns, please contact us.

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