Bone specialists investigate bisphosphonates
August 7, 2006 09:08

A task force of bone specialists has begun to investigate a troubling side effect of the class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. The rare side effect causes dead jawbone or the scientific term is osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) which has occurred following dental surgery or tooth extraction; although ONJ did occur in a few cases spontaneously without dental surgery. The majority of cases have occurred among cancer patients taking bisphosphonates, prescribed intravenously at doses more than 10 times the recommended dose for osteoporosis. http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/15185804.htm

Bisphosphonates: Beware of the tooth fairy
August 8, 2006 09:14

Dental extractions were once thought to be a simple and fairly painless procedure but not necessarily so today for people being prescribed bisphosphonates for bone mineral density loss and osteoporosis (Fosamax, Boniva) and bone cancer (Aredia).For a small... (Read Article)