Drugs & Medical Devices
Fosamax
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Information on Paget’s disease and the dangers of treating with Fosamax
Paget’s disease is a crippling condition often treated with the bisphosphonate drug Fosamax. Although, research suggests that Fosamax works well to fight off the disease, long-term use can have life-threatening drawbacks. Fosamax has been linked to conditions such as:
- Esophageal cancer
- Brittle bones
- Femur fractures
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
These side-effects occur after five to ten years of regularly taking Fosamax.
Those that were prescribed Fosamax because of Paget’s disease and have since developed severe injuries from Fosamax side-effects have the right to pursue compensation. Weitz & Luxenberg can help you in this pursuit. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.
What is Paget’s disease?
Paget’s disease is a condition that affects the bones. All bones naturally go through a “remodeling” process by which the old bone cells die, are reabsorbed into the body, and are instantly replaced by newborn, healthy bone cells. This process happens constantly and is unnoticed in our daily life because it is kept in such a perfect balance. Paget’s disease throws off the balance of new cells replacing old cells, so that the bones become enlarged and brittle.
Paget’s disease is difficult to diagnose because there are no clear symptoms, and usually diagnosis only happens incidentally during an unrelated x-ray. Untreated Paget’s disease can result in (Medicinenet.com):
- Deformed bone structure
- Bone fracturing
- Arthritis
- Pain in the bones
So far, no one knows the cause of Paget’s disease.
Why is Fosamax prescribed for Paget’s disease?
When a bone cell dies, it is automatically reabsorbed into the body. Fosamax, as well as other bisphosphonate drugs, helps delay this reabsorption process. The theory is that by delaying this process, it rebalances the bone cell death and birth process (druginfornet.com).
Are there alternative treatments for Paget’s disease?
There are alternatives to taking Fosamax or other bisphosphonates – one of which is an injection of calcitonin daily or weekly (depending on what the doctor deems necessary). Calcitonin also slows down the processes of dead bone cell reabsorption, but does not contain any dangerous side-effects (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
Other treatments such as surgical procedures and a healthy diet and exercise act to enhance treatments and improve quality of life, but are not known to actually cure the disease (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases).
Had the hazardous side-effects of Fosmax been disclosed to the public, these alternative treatments would have been more widely pursued.
How can I pursue compensation for my injuries?
Weitz & Luxenberg can help you pursue just compensation for all expenses related to injuries sustained from taking the drug Fosamax. Our Defective Medicine and Devices division is comprised of a skilled team of attorneys who have experience and extensive knowledge on Fosamax and related drugs. We can guide you through the process of getting compensated smoothly and quickly. Weitz & Luxenberg can help get you compensation for expenses such as:
- Medical treatments
- Surgery costs
- Hospitalization costs
- Any hired help needed to aid in your recovery
- Any out of pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
Contact Weitz & Luxenberg today for a free, no obligation, legal consultation. Simply fill out the form on this page and a representative will contact you shortly.
Sources:
http://www.medicinenet.com/pagets_disease/article.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18415215
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Pagets/pagets_disease_ff.asp
http://www.druginfonet.com/pi_mfr/pi/merck/fosamax/fosamax.htm
see also:
Osteopenia
Information and resources on the controversial bone condition osteopeniaOsteopenia is a controversial diagnosis commonly treated with Fosamax: information and resources
Osteoperosis
Osteoporosis information made available for use by Weitz & LuxenbergFosamax is prescribed to prevent Osteoperosis.Learn about the drug and the condition here.
Why is Fosamax prescribed?
Fosamax is prescribed to treat bone conditions, but contains serious health risksConditions for which doctors prescribe Fosamax: information about conditions and risks
