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The American Dental Association links Fosamax and Jaw Problems
Studies have long shown that patients who use the drug Fosamax may develop a jawbone problem known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ or dead jaw). However, while past researchers have called the risk "negligible," a recent report in the Journal of the American Dental Association suggests that Fosamax might actually cause dead jaw in a much higher percentage of patients.
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Fosamax is generally taken by older women who are dealing with osteoporosis, though it is also sometimes prescribed to men and younger women, and it can also treat other bone diseases. The active ingredient in Fosamax is alendronate, which fights the cells in the body that cause bones to break down in the first place. The problem with alendronate is that it stays in the body for years, and over time, it can cause the bone to become too dense, which is how dead jaw develops. Fosamax belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, and other bisphosphonate drugs may also cause bone problems.
Fosamax dead jaw starts with swelling and pain, leading to bone infection. This causes exposed bone in the mouth, as well as loose teeth. Eventually this leads to jaw bone death, and patients usually need surgery. It is a fairly rare condition, but Fosamax patients have a 4% increased chance of developing the problem. There are millions of people who are currently using Fosamax or have used this drug in the past, so this could be a significant problem, only growing worse if no changes are made. In fact, the American Dental Association study was only done in the first place because research Dr. Parish Sedghizadeh of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in Los Angeles saw four cases of dead jaw in just a week, when he had previously only been seeing one case every year or two.
The problems with Fosamax dead jaw have been seen in patients who have been taking the drug for even a short amount of time. Studies have shown that bisphosphonate drugs can also cause osteonecrosis in the hips, shoulders, and other parts of the body, but by far, this condition of bone death is most commonly found in the jaw. No one is sure why Fosamax and other kinds of bisphosphonate drugs attack the jaw first, but studies have shown that the condition is more common in people who have recently had non-related dental work done, especially tooth extraction.
Merck & Co., the maker of Fosamax, has stated that the America Dental Association study is flawed and unreliable. According to this company, a study involving over 17,000 patients has shown no cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw. However, some doctors have now begun screening patients for risk factors before recommending Fosamax.
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If you've developed jaw problems or another kind of Fosamax injury, it is important to talk to a lawyer to determine your legal rights. You might be able to easily become part of a dead jaw class action suit. There are currently more than 650 Fosamax lawsuits against Merck, and more patients are coming forward with problems every day. Talk to your lawyer for more information.
