Drug Injury Lawyers

Fosamax® Drug Injuries

Fosamax® (alendronate), a drug that has been on the market for almost 10 years, has been linked to femur fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Femur fractures and ONJ (otherwise known as “dead jaw”) are extremely painful conditions.

If you experienced a femur fracture or suffer from osteonecrosis of the jaw, contact the Houston drug injury lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law. Call (800) 444-5000 immediately or fill out a FREE initial consultation form and speak with our Houston drug injury lawyers today. Terry Bryant is board certified and here to help.

What is Fosamax?

Fosamax is an oral bisphosponate drug used to treat osteoporosis (bone loss) in post-menopausal women, to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, and to treat Paget’s disease (a lifelong chronic condition that results in abnormal bone growth).

What are “bisphosphonates”?

Fosamax is part of a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates, which are used to treat osteoporosis and bone pain caused by some types of cancer. Fosamax is the most commonly dispensed bisphosphonate in the United States and reached 22 million prescriptions by 2004.

Bisphosphonates are often used in the management of certain cancers—such as lung, breast, prostate, and multiple myeloma—where cancer has metastasized (spread) to the bone.

What are the names of other bisphosponate drugs?

There are several other bisphosphonate drugs on the market, all of which have been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw and long bone fractures.

  • Actonel® (risedronate sodium) is an oral bisphoshonate drug similar to Fosamax and is manufactured by Warner Chilcott Company, LLC.
  • Aredia® (pamidronate disodium) and Zometa® (zoledronic acid), both manufactured by Novartis, now include labeling on the drugs to include reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw in people who have taken bisphosphonates.
  • Boniva® (ibandronate sodium) is another drug used to treat osteoporosis that has been linked to ONJ and sudden, unexpected femur fractures.

Are bisphosphonate drugs harmful?

Bisphosphonates, once taken, remain in the bones indefinitely. The coauthor of a report on osteonecrosis of the jaw resulting from bisphosphonate use, published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, writes that drugs such as Fosamax could upset the delicate balance between the cells that put calcium in bone and the cells that take calcium away.

The report prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to post a review saying that osteonecrosis of the jaw is a risk for all bisphosphonates, which includes both oral and intravenous doses.

Fosamax & Femur Fracture » Fosamax & Osteonecrosis of the Jaw »

Actonel® is a registered trademark of Warner Chilcott Company, LLC. Boniva® is a registered trademark of Genentech, USA, Inc. Fosamax® is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. Aredia® and Zometa® are registered trademarks of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and are used here only to identify the products in question.

This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Food and Drug Administration; Genentech, USA, Inc.; the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Merck & Co., Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals; or Warner Chilcott Company, LLC.

Drug Injuries