Fosamax Side Effects

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Fosamax (known generically as Alendronate Sodium) is a prescription medication used to treat osteoporosis in older men and women. It belongs to a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates, which are used to reduce the rate of bone loss. It is estimated that around 36 million women worldwide use medications such as Fosamax to lessen their chances of developing osteoporosis or improve their bone density if they have already contracted the disease. Fosamax is produced and marketed by Merck and Company Inc., and was placed on the market in September of 1995.

Fosamax works by blocking cells that cause bone dissolution in the body. In the body, bone is constantly forming and dissolving. In osteoporosis, bone dissolves faster than it forms, causing the bone to lose density. By blocking the cells that cause bone dissolution, Fosamax allows the bone to gain density by forming faster than it dissolves. This causes the bone to increase its strength and reduce the risk of a stress fracture, which can be life threatening in certain cases.

Fosamax side effects have been found to range from mild to severe in clinical trials, depending on the type of side effect and the individual reporting. The most common side effects of Fosamax include mild nausea, abdominal cramps, skin rash, flatulence, diarrhea, and generalized muscle and bone pain. It has also been found that Fosamax can lodge in the esophagus while swallowing, causing esophageal ulcers. The medical community recommends that Fosamax be taken in an upright or standing position, followed by an 8-ounce glass of water. To prevent Fosamax from sticking in the esophagus, it is recommended that the patient refrain from lying down for at least thirty minutes after taking the medication.

Patients taking Fosamax are warned to avoid tooth extractions and other major dental procedures while on the medication, due to a connection between Fosamax usage and a bone disease named Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), also known as Dead Jaw. The link between bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax, and ONJ was discovered in 2004, nine years after Fosamax was released to the public. When the findings were released in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the drug manufacturer, Merck and Company Inc., decided to issue a warning to medical professionals about the increased risk of ONJ while on medications such as Fosamax.

ONJ is a disease in which bone in the jaw refuses to heal after minor injury, such as with a tooth extraction. This inability to heal properly can lead to infection, rotting, and eventual bone death. Severe cases require the dying bone tissue to be extracted through surgery, along with a long-term antibiotic regiment. Experts estimate that over 2,000 individuals who have taken bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax, have suffered jaw bone decay and death due since 2001, some becoming bedridden due to the severe pain and debilitation that they have suffered. Medical professionals have stated that the prevention of ONJ and early treatment for those who have contracted the disease is imperative to preserve the bone of the jaw.

Do I have a Fosamax Side Effects Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Fosamax lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Fosamax side effect cases in all 50 states.

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