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 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, 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 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.
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.
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.
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