Fosamax Side Effects

Fosamax side effects may include ONJ (OsteoNecrosis of the Jaw), femur fractures, musculoskeletal pain, and esophageal cancer.  If you have taken Fosamax and experienced any of these side effects, contact an attorney at once.

According to new FDA warnings and Fosamax side effect studies, patients who take bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax to treat osteoporosis may be at risk of developing serious side effects like femur fractures, esophageal cancer, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and severe musculoskeletal pain. Fosamax has been available in the U.S. since 1995, when it garnered FDA approval for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Fosamax (alendronate) is manufactured by Merck & Co. and falls into a category of medications called bisphosphonates, which are intended to strengthen bones by increasing bone mass and decreasing the activity of cells which break down bones. Bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax are the most common drug therapy for the prevention of fractures associated with osteoporosis, and are prescribed to millions of patients around the world. Unfortunately, new information about severe Fosamax side effects has raised concerns about the safety of Fosamax and other bisphosphonate drugs. If you took Fosamax to treat your osteoporosis and have since suffered from one or more Fosamax side effects, contact a Fosamax attorney to discuss your legal options.

Femur Fracture Side Effects

Atypical femur fractures are extremely painful fractures of the femoral bone. Atypical femur fractures are often classified as subtrochanteric, fractures in the bone just below the hip joint, or diaphyseal, fractures in the long part of the thigh bone. Since the femur is one of the largest and strongest bones in the body, fractures to this bone must be caused by either tremendous force or extreme degradation of the bone over time, which may be linked to bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax.

Esophageal Cancer Side Effects

Esophageal cancer is characterized by a malignant tumor in the esophagus, which is the muscular tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach. Patients suffering from esophageal cancer may exhibit symptoms like: chest pain unrelated to eating, weight loss, vomiting, heartburn, backwards movement of food through the esophagus, and difficulty swallowing. Esophageal cancer can usually be treated if it is confined to the esophagus, although if it spreads to other organs, it may be incurable.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Side Effects

Osteonecrosis of the jaw, or ONJ, is a devastating bone disease in which certain areas of the jaw bone suffer severe damage and even death. In some cases, large portions of the jaw bone may need to be removed. Common symptoms of ONJ include exposed bone, loose teeth, jaw or gum swelling, pain or infection, loss of sensation in the jaw, and dramatic gum loss. ONJ is caused by the temporary or permanent loss of blood to bone tissue, leading to the death and eventual collapse of the affected bone.

Musculoskeletal Pain Side Effects

Musculoskeletal pain is caused by significant damage to bones, nerves, ligaments, joints, tendons or muscles. In patients taking bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax, this severe and sometimes incapacitating musculoskeletal pain has occurred within days, months or even years after starting bisphosphonate treatment. In the most serious instances, the pain was so severe that patients could not perform their normal activities.

FDA Warnings and Fosamax Side Effect Studies

In 2008, the FDA issued a warning regarding the potential connection between bisphosphonate drugs used to treat osteoporosis, including Fosamax, and the development of severe musculoskeletal pain. According to the FDA, some patients had complete relief of symptoms after they stopped taking the drug, while others reported slow or incomplete resolution. In 2010, the FDA issued a warning to patients and healthcare professionals concerning the possible link between bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax and two rare types of femur fractures. The FDA recently conducted a safety review of oral bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax, which included data from a report published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. According to the report, which reviewed over 300 cases of atypical femur fractures, more than 90% of the patients had taken bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax for five years or more, and 25% of the patients had femur fractures in both legs.

In July 2011, the FDA issued a drug safety communication warning the public about the potential increased risk of esophageal cancer among patients taking bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax. Before releasing this warning, the FDA reviewed two epidemiological studies, both of which used data from the U.K. General Practice Research Database. Although one study found no increase in the risk of esophageal cancer, the other found a two-fold increased risk of esophageal cancer in patients who had ten or more prescriptions of bisphosphonates, or who had taken the drug over three years.

Fosamax Attorneys for Side Effects

The side effects potentially associated with bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax are severe and may lead to life-threatening complications. If you or a loved one has suffered from a potential Fosamax side effect, contact a qualified Fosamax attorney to discuss the benefits of filing a Fosamax lawsuit against Merck & Co. The main goal of Fosamax attorneys is to help victims of Fosamax side effects seek financial compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Drug companies like Merck are expected to produce safe and effective drugs, and should be held accountable for any adverse side effects sustained by consumers of their products. Unfortunately, some pharmaceutical companies intentionally conceal the more serious side effects of their drugs, in an attempt to make their product more appealing to the public. This deceptive practice exposes millions of consumers to serious injury and possibly even death, without their knowledge. By hiring a qualified Fosamax lawyer to represent your case, you can protect your rights and collect the compensation you deserve.