Fosamax Lawsuit Update

Fosamax Lawsuit News Update

In 2005 popular osteoporosis drug Fosamax, was linked to severe musculoskeletal pain (bone, joint and muscle pain), as well as a painful bone disease called ONJ, also known as "fossy jaw". The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons published an article exploring the association between people who were taking Fosamax and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, which caused the FDA to examine the safety of Fosamax and other drugs in its class. Merck, the company that manufactures Fosamax, received a notice on January 31, 2005, from the FDA requesting the company to update the label for Fosamax and to include notices regarding the jawbone tissue disease. The revised labels weren't made available until July 2005.

The US Food and Drug Administration warned on January 7, 2008, that Fosamax had been linked to severe and sometimes incapacitating joint, muscle and bone pain. The agency advised doctors and patients that they be aware of this possible side effect, and to discontinue Fosamax if it should occur.

About FosamaxFosamax (Generic Name: Alendronate Sodium), manufactured and distributed by Merck, gained FDA approval in 1995. Fosamax Plus D (Generic Name: Alendronate Sodium Cholecalciferol) contains the additive Vitamin D. Fosamax is usually prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis and Paget's disease. Fosamax is a type of drug known as bisphosphonates. Persons using Fosamax or other bisphosphonate medications should try to avoid tooth extractions and other major dental work while prescribed the drugs.

About BisphosphonatesBisphosphonate medications are commonly taken in tablet form for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. More powerful forms of bisphosphonate drugs are administered in the management of cancers that have metastasized to the bones. When bisphosphonates are prescribed 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)"Fossy jaw" is a disease in which the bone tissue of the jaw fails to heal after a minor trauma such as a tooth removal, causing 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 dead bone tissue. The prevention and early treatment of people given Fosamax or other bisphosphonates is very important in preserving the jawbone. Signs of "jaw death" 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 Osteonecrosis of the 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 supposed to lower the fast rate of bone loss in women after menopause. Sadly, this exact drug mechanism may be what causes osteonecrosis of the jawbone.


Fosamax and Extreme Musculoskeletal PainThe severe 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 some patients that have obtained complete relief of symptoms after discontinuing Fosamax, others have reported that the pain has continued.

While severe musculoskeletal pain was already included in the prescription information for Fosamax, the FDA stated that the direct link between Fosamax and extreme musculoskeletal pain could be ignored by health care providers, resulting in impairment, prolonged pain, delayed diagnosis and possibly needing treatment with pain medication. The FDA has recommended that healthcare professionals be mindful that the administering of of Fosamax may be responsible for extreme musculoskeletal pain in individuals who have these symptoms. If individuals taking Fosamax do experience this extreme musculoskeletal pain, the Food and Drug Administration advises that their healthcare professionals,healthcare providers,doctors consider permanently discontinuing taking the drug.

If you or a loved one has been severely injured as a result of Fosamax, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. Merck & Co. are currently facing  hundreds of personal injury lawsuits that are related to side effects that resulted from the use of Fosamax.