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Do Merck's Fosamax Studies Disprove the Drug's Link to Osteonecrosis?
Osteonecrosis is a very serious medical condition that has recently been linked to Fosamax (also known generically as alendronate), a drug used to treat osteoporosis and other kinds of bone diseases. With osteonecrosis, the bones' rebuilding cells overpower the body, causing bones to grow too dense. The result is that there is no room for bone marrow, which is the substance that gives the bone its life the ability to grow and heal. Without bone marrow, the bone dies. New studies reported by the American Dental Association claim that Fosamax causes osteonecrosis in some patients, but manufacturer Merck & Co. have defended the drug, saying that the risk is minimal or even nonexistent.
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Fosamax works by slowing down the cells that cause the bones to break down. We all have these cells, along with cells that rebuild the bone to be newer and stronger. With osteoporosis patients, Fosamax allows the rebuilding to catch up, helping the bones remain strong instead of growing brittle. The studies claim that with prolonged use of Fosamax, the drug works too well, causing osteonecrosis. This condition most commonly manifests as dead jaw, especially in patients who have recent dental procedures unrelated to their osteoporosis. This dead jawbone disease can cause pain, jaw immobility, and tooth loss. Fosamax and jaw bone loss being linked could cause doctors to recommend discontinuing use of the drug to millions of patients.
Therefore, Merck also conducted a study to see if there was any weight to the claim of a link between the medication and jaw bone death (osteonecrosis of the jaw or ONJ). In their study, which looked at 17,000 Fosamax users over the course of a decade, showed that the link between Fosamax and jaw bone was highly unlikely. According to Merck, "In controlled clinical trials involving more than 17,000 patients, contributing as much as 10 years' data with alendronate, there have been no reports of [osteonecrosis of the jaw]."
With conflicting reports, it can be hard to determine what you should do as a patient. Do Merck's studies prove that Fosamax is safe to use? This can be hard to answer. While Merck's report definitely stands in contrast to the American Dental Association claims, there is certainly a conflict of interest. Doctors agree that more third-party reports need to be done to validate any results regarding Fosamax and osteonecrosis, be those results negative or positive.
In the meanwhile, for most patients, it makes sense to continue using Fosamax to control osteoporosis. The Fosamax risks, as of right now, do not outweigh the benefits in most circumstances, as Fosamax is the best drug on the market to prevent serious fractures that could lead to the need for major surgery or permanent disabilities.
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Still, it is important to continuously stay up-to-date on Fosamax news. A number of patients have already filed Fosamax lawsuits, and while the risk may be small, that doesn't mean that this drug didn't hurt some of the people using it. If you believe that you've developed dead jaw or other complications due to using Fosamax, contact a lawyer today.
