Long-Term Fosamax Use Tied to Side Effects

Long-Term Fosamax Use Tied to Side Effects

By Christina Drury

There have been recent studies in the news that reveal long-term use of Fosamax can cause serious side effects. As a result, numerous Fosamax lawsuits have been filed by long-term users after experiencing side effects they allege they were never informed of. The most common complaint is the occurrence of atypical femur fractures, along with osteonecrosis – which is also known as dead jaw.

Prescription of Fosamax

Fosamax is a bisphosphonate that is normally prescribed as a means of helping to ward off the symptoms of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is diagnosed in thousands of men and women alike each year. To help prevent loss of bone density, Fosamax and similar drugs are designed to stabilize the bone loss, but extended use of them can actually damage bones. Many patients even reported a pain in their groin or thigh area within the months and weeks leading up to the diagnosis of a Fosamax femur fracture.

Patient Suffered Atypical Femur Fracture after Three Years

While the majority of the Fosamax lawsuit plaintiffs who suffered Fosamax side effect did so after continued long-term use – approximately five years – there is an unusual case that was reported in the Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences. The study revealed an instance where a woman on the drug for only three years suffered Fosamax side effects as well. This is an unusual instance because not only are most fractures following extended use, but the period of three years is within the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) window of safety when it comes to consuming Fosamax.

Fosamax Side Effects

In addition to the atypical femur fracture that can occur, there is also what is known as osteonecrosis. This Fosamax side effect normally occurs after a dental procedure or even oral surgery wherein Fosamax is prescribed as a means of preventing further bone loss. Instead of preventing loss, however, the medication causes dead jaw, a disease in which the bone in the jaw wears away and becomes brittle.

Furthermore, some complaints list the development of esophageal cancer as a result of taking Fosamax. In total, there have been hundreds of reports of multiple Fosamax side effects and the number only keeps increasing as more fear their symptoms are a result of taking the medication which they thought would help.

You Can Get Help

If you have experienced any of the above Fosamax side effects, you may be eligible for compensation. The only way to find out is to contact qualified attorneys who are already actively investigating the Fosamax side effects and helping others successfully file Fosamax lawsuits. For more information on the ongoing litigation and in-depth information on the Fosamax side effects, visit our Fosamax Femur Fracture, Jaw Death, Esophageal Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page. On this page you can also submit your information to attorneys who are involved in the investigation and can offer you solid advice.

Updated January 14th, 2013