Fosamax ONJ and Esophageal Cancer

Fosamax and Esophagus Cancer

2011-07-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel - Potential Increased Risk of Esophagus Cancer

Today the FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients about new studies evaluating whether or not Fosamax, Boniva, and Actonel had an increased risk of esophagus cancer.

FDA has not concluded that taking an oral bisphosphonate drug increases the risk of esophageal cancer. FDA will continue to evaluate all available data supporting the safety and effectiveness of bisphosphonate drugs and will update the public when more information becomes available.

Fosamax and Atypical Fractures

2011-02-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

Fosamax: This takes a page from the damned if you and damned if you don't journal.

Researchers in Canada have determined that benefits from the osteoporosis drug Fosamax are not as clear cut as the advertisements would have you believe. Doctors must weigh the pros and cons prior to prescribing.

This new study finds that Fosamax increases the risk of other types of fractures known as atypical fractures which occur in the femur and in the bone just below the hip joint.

While the atypical fracture risk is low, Fosamax should never be prescribed as a one size fits all solution especially in patients who have are low risk candidates to begin with.

Fosamax lawyer: Fosamax dosing controversy

2010-11-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Fosamax lawsuits and the quandries posed

Doctors can agree on one thing -- they disagree on who should be prescribed Fosamax.

Some doctors recommend prescribing Fosamax after a woman has osteoporosis and other doctors prescribe Fosamax to women who have the pre-cursor of osteoporosis known as osteopenia.

Also in question is how long Fosamax should be prescribed. If it's up to Merck & Co., it's forever or at the onset of osteopenia.

Other doctors think that women should wait as long as possible before taking the drug. (I want that doctor.)

Here's an article in the New York Times about a woman who has a Fosamax lawsuit because she developed a rare medical condition called jawbone deterioration including five surgeries. Because her jaw wouldn't heal, bone from her arm had to be implanted into her jaw.

Merck is claiming innocence saying other medications she took for another medical condition is the problem.

Do you have a Fosamax Lawsuit?

This isn't the first Fosamax injury case and it certainly won't be the last because more than one thousand cases have been filed so far. Do you need a Fosamax lawyer for a Fosamax injury case?

Updating Fosamax Injury for Rare Femur Fractures

2010-11-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

If you have suffered a Fosamax injury, please contact a Fosamax lawyer to find out what your legal options are.

FDA alert October 2010

ISSUE: FDA is updating the public regarding information previously communicated describing the risk of atypical fractures of the thigh, known as subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femur fractures, in patients who take bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. This information will be added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the labels approved to treat osteoporosis, including Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, Actonel, Actonel with Calcium, Boniva, Atelvia, and Reclast (and their generic products). A Medication Guide will also be required to be given to patients when they pick up their bisphosphonate prescription.

BACKGROUND: Atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures are fractures in the bone just below the hip joint. Diaphyseal femur fractures occur in the long part of the thigh bone. These fractures are very uncommon and appear to account for less than 1% of all hip and femur fractures overall. Although it is not clear if bisphosphonates are the cause, these unusual femur fractures have been predominantly reported in patients taking bisphosphonates.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Patients should continue to take their medication unless told to stop by their healthcare professional. FDA recommends that healthcare professionals should discontinue potent antiresorptive medications (including bisphosphonates) in patients who have evidence of a femoral shaft fracture. See the FDA Drug Safety Communication below for additional information.

Women: My Body and Longterm Fosamax Injury

2010-10-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'm at the age where many of my friends take Fosamax and Boniva.

Why? Because their doctors prescribe it. A dozen years ago my doctor prescribed Fosamax for osteopenia. I, too, was like a lamb, uneducated in the ways of pharmaceutical drugs.

I went to the big box pharmacy to pick up the prescription which was $400. I was sure there was a mistake and perhaps the cost was $40.

Wrong! It was $400 as my health insurance as a freelancer had and still does have a high deductible including brand name drugs.

$400 for a 30 day supply or $13.33 for 1 pill.

I walked out of the store empty handed and never looked back. All I did was pick up the pace for weight bearing exercises, walk the dogs more frequently, and eat healthier.

Ladies, you'll remember how everyone was prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT)for post menopausal symptoms. And then one day the FDA woke up and said it caused breast cancer and women and HRT parted ways but not before spending billions of dollars on the drug.

I often feel like women's bodies are science experiments to the pharmaceutical king pins.

For me what's frightening about taking Fosamax or Boniva is—it's forever. It's not like an antibiotic that you take for 14 days and you're done. I feel there's something wrong with a drug that has to be taken forever to be effective.

Worse, nobody has tested the drugs dangers in the forever range. Clinical trials have a beginning and end date and that's that. Real life Fosamax pill taking is another matter entirely.

The drug makers aren't rich by accident. Smart business people know that ongoing loyal clientele is worth far more than a short term new customers who come and go like antibiotic takers.

A dozen years later I'm living in another city going to another doctor and paying for another crappy health plan. I have another bone density test. Much to my relief, this doctor doesn't prescribe Fosamax or any other drug for that matter.

If your or your mother, sister, wife has suffered thigh bone fractures or jawbone death caused by taking Fosamax, please contact a Pennsylvania law firm filing unsafe drug lawsuits.

Is Fosamax the new HRT debacle? You can talk more about your injuries or see if you have a Fosamax lawsuit here.

Bisphosphonates and Thigh Bone Fractures

2010-09-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

Long Term Bisphosphonates Possibly Increase Thigh Bone Fractures

The American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR's) Task Force released important information to the FDA on the potential association between long term treatment with the class of osteoporosis drugs known as bisphosphonates and a rare but serious type of fracture of the femur thigh bone.

Bisphosphonates (i.e. Fosamax is a bisphosphonate) have long been effective in reducing common bone fractures for people with osteoporosis. Although it is unclear if bisphosphonates are the cause, these unusual femur fractures have been identified in patients taking these drugs.

The FDA recommends that healthcare professionals be aware of the possible risk of atypical femur fractures in patients taking bisphosphonates.

New osteoporosis drug awaiting approval in UK and US

2010-06-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

New osteoporosis drug awaiting approval in UK and US

A new drug to treat osteoporosis is waiting for approval in both the UK and US. The drug Prolia would be injected 2x/year and is considerably less expensive than its bisphosphonate competition currently on the market like Fosamax and Boniva.

The new drug could provide an option for women who cannot tolerate Fosamax like drugs. Currently, one in four women cannot tolerate Fosamax like medications because of serious Fosamax side effects, such as digestive problems.

In the UK, the new drug, (generic- denosumab), is licensed, but is still being assessed for NHS use by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Dueling Fosamax Osteoporosis Studies

2010-05-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

According to a recent study by the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), long term use of Fosamax and a similar genre of drugs may increase the risk of broken bones.

Avoiding broken bones is the reason post menopausal women and men are taking Fosamax in the first place!

In particular, atypical fractures of the femur—the large bone in the thigh—may occur more in post-menopausal women who take a Fosamax-like drugs for osteoporosis.

Then along comes the New England Journal of Medicine giving less damming news to a panicked public. The NEJM say Fosamax-like drugs may not raise the risk of broken bones near the hip.

So who do you believe?

The NEJM doesn't want to see the public panic and doesn't want to condemn a whole class of drugs. More studies are needed.

Osteoporosis is more common in fair-skinned people who have thin, slender body types and who have family histories of the condition or of relatives who suffered fractures of the spine. Physical activity and good nutrition is recommended at all ages.

More about Fosamax Lawsuits

Osteoporosis and Men

2009-07-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

Most men erroneously think that osteoporosis is a women's disease.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and are prone to fracture.

A new study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has recently been published and the findings are:

In one study, investigators sought to describe patterns of hip bone loss in older men and to explain whether bone strength in these men was inversely related to aging. The researchers analyzed bone mineral density measurements of 4,720 community dwelling men, age 65 and older, over a period of four and one-half years. Results demonstrated that although hip bone loss in these men was typically modest, its rate did, in fact, increase with age.

In another study, investigators applied a complex mathematical technique known as finite element analysis to existing quantitative computed tomography data to determine whether this approach might be an appropriate predictor of bone strength and fracture risk in older men. The analysis was performed on 250 men age 65 and older. Forty of the men had experienced a hip fracture, while 210 had not. Researchers discovered that FE analysis of the men’s QCT scans was a strong predictor of hip fracture, especially when combined with traditional bone mineral density measurements.

Fosamax and Esophageal Cancer Link

2009-02-26T15:18:00.000-08:00

Could Fosamax, an osteoporosis drug, cause esophageal cancer?

According to the New England Journal of Medicine there could be a link.

From October 1995, Fosamax’s debut, and May 2008, there have been 23 reports of esophageal cancer in women taking Fosamax and eight have died thus far.

Other similar drugs – Boniva, Actonel, and Didronel have not been linked to esophageal cancer yet.

The link is not conclusive but use of oral bisphosphonates has been linked to inflammation of the esophagus which may lead to cancer.

Blogger’s note: Sometimes I feel the pharmaceutical industry uses women as guinea pigs.

Is Esophageal Cancer Linked to Fosamax?

2009-01-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

Fosamax under investigation for fears of a link between a drug and esophageal cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration wants this to be studied. 23 cases of esophageal cancer may be linked to osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax. Merck's popular osteoporosis drug Fosamax and other similar drugs may carry a risk for esophageal cancer, a Food and Drug Administration official said on Wednesday, according the PR News Wires. Web MD writes that there is a new study published in January 2008 NEJM that shows Fosamax is effective in treating osteoporosis, but may not work the way experts believed.