What is Osteonecrosis of the Jaw?

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Fosamax (generically known as alendronate sodium) is a common prescription drug that belongs to a class of medications known as bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonate medications have been found to reduce the rate of bone loss and are commonly used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in men and women. Over 30 million individuals use medications such as Fosamax to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, as well as to improve bone density in patients that have already contracted the illness. Approved for retail sale in 1995, Fosamax is produced and marketed by the drug manufacturing giant, Merck and Company Inc.

In the human body, bone is continuously forming and dissolving. During osteoporosis, bone dissolves at a faster rate than it is being formed, causing the bone to lose density. Fosamax blocks the cells that cause the bone to dissolve. By blocking these cells, Fosamax helps the bone gain density by forming faster than its dissolving. This creates stronger bones, which reduces the risk of painful stress fractures, which in certain cases can be life threatening.

The healthcare community has recommended that patients taking Fosamax should avoid tooth extractions and other major dental procedures while on the medication, due to a connection found between Fosamax usage and a serious bone condition called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), also known as Dead Jaw. The link between Fosamax and ONJ was discovered in 2004, almost ten years after Fosamax was released to the public.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw is an affliction where the jaw suffers death of the bone tissue. While studying the causes of ONJ, researchers have found that bisphosphonates can prevent the growth of new blood vessels in the jawbone. This inability to produce new blood vessels compromises the natural healing process and bones in the jaw fail to heal after minor trauma, such as a tooth extraction. This results in the bone remaining exposed, ultimately causing infection, rotting, and bone death.

The early treatment of patients diagnosed with ONJ is extremely important in saving the jawbone. The condition often shows no symptoms for months and many symptoms will only develop after damage to the mouth occurs. Common signs and symptoms of ONJ include pain, swelling, loosening of the teeth, infection of the gums, numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, drainage, poor healing of the gums, and exposed bone. Cases that go untreated can result in the bone collapsing, leaving the sufferer disfigured. Bone death is irreversible and the damage caused by ONJ is irreparable.

When the findings were released by the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that a revised side effect warning was warranted. The warning was sent to medical professionals detailing the increased possibility of contracting ONJ while on medications such as Fosamax. While the warning indicated that trials prior to approval had failed to demonstrate an increased risk of ONJ, the FDA admitted that the longer-term effects of a medication sometimes reveal themselves after the drug has been released on the retail market. Experts have estimated that dozens of cases of ONJ will occur annually in individuals taking Fosamax and other bisphosphonates.

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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