Fosamax Related to Jaw-tissue necrosis and Severe Musculoskeletal Pain – Receive a Free Fosamax Lawsuit Case Review
Recently commonly used osteoporosis drug Fosamax, was linked to severe musculoskeletal pain (bone, joint and muscle pain), and also a horrible bone disease known as ONJ, also known as “dead jaw”. The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons published an article covering the association between patients prescribed Fosamax and “fossy jaw”, which prompted the US Food and Drug Administration to take a closer look at the safety of Fosamax and other bisphosphonate drugs. Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, received a corrispondence on January 31, 2005, from the FDA asking for Merck to update the label for Fosamax and to include labeling for the jawbone tissue disease. The revised labels weren’t made available until July 2005.
The FDA warned on January 7, 2008, that Fosamax had been tied to extreme and sometimes incapacitating joint, muscle and bone pain. The Food and Drug Administration recommended to doctors and patients that they be aware of this possible painful side effect, and to stop using Fosamax if it happens to occur.
About Fosamax
Fosamax (Generic Name: Alendronate Sodium), manufactured by Merck, received FDA approval in 1995. Fosamax Plus D (Generic Name: Alendronate Sodium Cholecalciferol) contains the additive Vitamin D. Fosamax is most commonly prescribed to treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease. Fosamax is a type of drug referred to as bisphosphonates. Individuals taking Fosamax or other bisphosphonate medications should try to make every effort to avoid tooth extractions and other major dental work while prescribed the drugs.
About Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonate medications are most commonly used in tablet form for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Stronger forms of bisphosphonate drugs can be prescribed in the management of cancers that have spread to the bones. When bisphosphonates are taken in cancer chemotherapy, the drugs are given in higher doses and intravenously for a longer period of time.
More About Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
ONJ is a disease in which the bone tissue in the jaw doesn’t heal after a minor procedure such as a tooth removal, which causes the bone to be exposed. The exposed boneexposure can lead to fracturing and infection and often requires surgery or long-term antibiotic therapy to get rid of the dying bone tissue. The prevention and early treatment of people prescribed Fosamax or other bisphosphonates is very important in preserving the jawbone tissue. Indicators of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw may include: the swelling of the gums, jaw or facial pain, loose teeth, excessive drainage, exposed jaw bone, facial numbness, or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw. The development of “dead jaw” is preceeded by the loss of blood being supplied to the jaw. Fosamax reduces the activity of the cells that cause bone loss, which is meant to decrease the fast rate of bone loss in women after menopause. Ironically, this exact reaction may be what causes ONJ.
Fosamax and Extreme Musculoskeletal Pain
The extreme musculoskeletal pain commonly associated with Fosamax can occur within days, months, or years after starting treatment with the drug, according to the 2008 Food and Drug Administration Fosamax health alert. While there are those persons that have obtained complete relief of symptoms after they stopped using Fosamax, others have reported that the pain is ongoing.
While severe musculoskeletal pain was already included in the prescription information for Fosamax, the FDA exclaimed that the link between Fosamax and strong musculoskeletal pain might be dismissed by health care providers, wjhich could result in impairment, prolonged pain, delayed diagnosis and possibly the need for treatment with pain medication. The US Food and Drug Administration has suggested that healthcare professionals be aware that the administering of of Fosamax might be the cause of extreme musculoskeletal pain in individuals who have these symptoms. If people on Fosamax do experience this extreme musculoskeletal pain, the FDA advised that their healthcare professionals,healthcare providers,doctors consider permanently discontinuing use of the drug.
Sources:
