Drugs & Medical Devices
Fosamax
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Information on the conditions for which Fosamax is prescribed
Fosamax is supposed to treat bone conditions, but it has also been known to cause your bones to become brittle and break easily. Some patients say that because of this, Fosamax has ruined their lives. Still, to this day doctors continue to prescribe it, and new patients continue to take it. The reason for this may be lack of available information about these kinds of controversial prescription drugs. At Weitz & Luxenberg, we feel it is essential for the public to know the facts about Fosamax. In this section, we have compiled information on the conditions for which Fosamax is prescribed, and also detailed the potential life-threatening side effects Fosamax is known to cause.
Those that have been injured by Fosamax have the right to pursue compensation for their losses. Contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a free legal consultation.
What are the conditions for which Fosamax is prescribed?
Fosamax is used to treat the following bone conditions.
- Osteoporosis – a condition where the bone density level in the body is considerably low. Osteoporosis typically affects postmenopausal women. This condition can cause serious injuries such as femur fractures, which are fatal in 1 and 5 postmenopausal women (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
- Osteopenia – a condition where the bone density level in the body is lower than normal, but not low enough to be considered osteoporosis (WebMD).
- Paget’s disease – a condition marked by abnormal bone growth. Symptoms include deformed bones and arthritis (medicinenet.com).
How does Fosamax treat these conditions?
All of these conditions have to do with a process called resorption that our bones go through all of the time. Our bones are made of millions of cells, and when one cell dies, the body resorps (or re-absorbs) it into the body and instantly replaces it with a new cell. That instant replacing of a new cell is the key to bone health. If there is any lag in the replacing process then there will be a small hole in your bones. This is exactly what happens with osteoporosis and osteopenia. The body cannot replace the dying cells with new cells fast enough, and so your bones become riddled with very tiny holes.
In the case of Paget’s disease, the process is off kilter – some areas of the bones become enlarged and porous, while others form abnormally and break easily (medicinenet.com).
Fosamax is a part of a medication group called bisphosphonates, and all they do is slow down the resorption process. This is why bisphosphonates are known as antiresorptive drugs. They essentially make it so that the body does not take away the dead bone cells that quickly. This, theoretically, gives the body more time to make new bone cells. In essence, the bones’ balancing act is restored.
What are Fosamax’s severe side effects?
Fosamax has been linked to:
How does Fosamax cause these side effects?
Not much information is known on the subject. Diane Wysowski, Ph.D, of the FDA conducted tests on Fosamax users who developed conditions of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach). She states that, “Crystalline material similar to ground alendronate [Fosamax] tablets has been found in patients with erosive esophagitis, and persistent mucosal abnormalities have been noted in some of these patients, suggesting a potential for carcinogenic effects." (New England Journal of Medicine)
This indicates that bits of Fosamax incidentally travel up the esophagus and get stuck there. These bits may cause cancer.
As for brittle bones, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and femur fracturing; unfortunately, no information is currently available suggesting a definitive medical explanation for these Fosamax side effects.
What can be done about it?
The experienced attorneys at Weitz & Luxenberg can help those seeking financial compensation for injuries caused by Fosamax. Weitz & Luxenberg is currently listening to cases of individuals who sustained femur fractures after taking Fosamax for more than five years. For a free, no obligation, legal consultation on your potential case, fill out the form on this page. After submitting the form, a representative will be in touch with you within 24 hours.
Femur fracture injuries can require hospital stays, medical treatment, physical therapy, time away from work, and more. Financial compensation can cover all of these expenses. Contact Weitz & Luxenberg, and we can help you get back on your feet.
Sources:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/vioxx_estimates.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001400
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/tc/osteopenia-overview
http://www.medicinenet.com/pagets_disease/article.htm
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc0808738
see also:
The history of fosamax
An overview of the history of FosamaxOverview of Fosomax History
Osteopenia
Information and resources on the controversial bone condition osteopeniaOsteopenia is a controversial diagnosis commonly treated with Fosamax: information and resources
Fosamax Lawsuit
Weitz & Luxenberg can help you seek compensation for injuries caused by FosamaxInjured by Fosamax? Weitz & Luxenberg can help you pursue compensation for your injuries
