Fosamax Side Effects

Drug manufacturer Merck & Co.'s bisphosphonate drug Fosamax and Fosamax D has been associated with numerous serious side effects. Patients using Fosamax can often suffer from a multitude of Fosamax side effects like gastrointestinal tract abnormalities, which can include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Diaherrhea
• Flatulence
• Obstipation
• Ulcers on the esophagus

The side effects that impact the GI are typically considered to be relatively mild. There are also a few general Fosamax side effects that may occur from long-term use of Fosamax:

• Problems with the eyes
• General pain of the joints, muscles or bones
• Skin rash (with potential of developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome)

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw and other Serious Fosamax Side Effects

While some of the side effects mentioned above can potentially become severe in nature, the most dangerous and serious Fosamax side effect is the manifestation of a bone disease known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), or "dead jaw."

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a kind of bone disease that is usually associated with the large joints of the body such as the ankles,hips, knees, or elbows. The manifestation of osteonecrosis is tied to the temporary or even sometimes permanent loss of blood to the bone tissue of the jaw, this leads to the death of the jaw bone tissue and the inevitible collapse of the bone. Currently there are an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 new cases of osteonecrosis discovered each year in just the United States alone, most of these cases are the result of some kind of bone injury like a dislocation or fracture.

Users of Fosamax are putting themselves at risk of suffering through the severe pain that is commonly associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw and the death of the jawbone tissue. The severe pain that is associated with osteonecrosis has been reported as being like the extreme level of pain often suffered by arthritics. Common symptoms of the onset of ONJ usually include localized pain of the jaw,numbness or altered sensation in the jaw area, loosening of the teeth, infections of soft tissue, and bone exposure inside the oral cavity.

People taking Fosamax that are displaying any these severe osteonecrosis symptoms should contact their doctor immediately. If ONJ goes undetected or untreated, it can typically lead to the bone tissue death and joint collapse within the jaw, an irreversible condition.

Fosamax Lawsuit

Due to the serious nature of some of these Fosamax side effects, Merck & Co. has once again become the target of numerous personal injury lawsuits filed by individuals who have been victimized by the bisphosphonate.

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