Fosamax
Heninger Garrison Davis is investigating
injuries caused by the prescription medication Fosamax. This medication has
been, and continues to be, prescribed to millions of individuals.
Fosamax (generic name alendronate) is manufactured by Merck.
It gained FDA approval in 1995 and has been on the market for 10 years.
Fosamax linked to Dead Jaw
 The
drug has been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Otherwise known as “dead
jaw,” osteonecrosis is a severe condition in which the jaw dies and is unable to
regenerate, eventually leading to extreme pain and exposed bone in the mouth.
This can result after minor trauma (after using Fosamax) such as a tooth
extraction, causing the bone to be exposed. The exposure can eventually lead to
infection and fracture and may require long-term antibiotic therapy or surgery
to remove the dying bone tissue.
Fosamax is part of a class of drugs known as
biphosphonates, which are used to:
-
treat osteoporosis in post menopausal women;
-
increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis;
-
treat Paget’s Disease (a condition that
results in abnormal bone growth); and
-
treat bone pain caused by some types of
cancer.
Fosamax used by over 22 million
Fosamax is the most commonly dispensed
biphosphonate in the United States and accounted for 22 million prescriptions by
2004.
Stronger forms of bisphosphonates are commonly
used in the management of advanced cancers that have metastasized (or spread) to
the bone. Several cancers can involve or metastasize to the bone, including lung
cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and others. When
bisphosphonates are given in cancer chemotherapy, the drugs are given
intravenously and usually for longer periods of time.
A connection between Fosamax and other
bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been identified. That
finding was published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and it
prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the manufacturer of
Fosamax to issue a warning to health care professionals on September 24, 2004.
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
Also known as “dead jaw,” osteonecrosis is the
destruction of bone tissue. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a painful, deteriorative
condition that involves soft-tissue swelling in the mouth, infection, loosening
of the teeth, drainage, and exposed bone. It is often the result of blood
not properly reaching the bone.
There are several other bisphosphonate drugs on
the market, all of which have been linked to ONJ. Actonel® is an oral
bisphoshonate drug similar to Fosamax and is manufactured by Procter & Gamble
Pharmaceuticals. Aredia® (pamidronate disodium) and Zometa® (zoledronic acid),
both manufactured by Novartis, now include labeling on the drugs to include
reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw in people who have taken bisphosphonates.
Free Osteonecrosis Consultation – Contact Us
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a painful condition that can
result in serious health complications. Contact us if you have taken any
bisphosphonate drugs and later suffered osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Please fill out and submit our
confidential questionnaire, or contact us by email
at wlbross@hgdlawfirm.com, or phone Heninger
Garrison Davis at 1-800-241-9779.
Click here for our confidential questionnaire
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