Class Action Lawsuit

Fosamax Side Effects Lawsuit

Fosamax Side Effects Lawsuit

Fosamax Side Effects Lawsuit

Alendronic acid or Alendronate, sold as Fosamax by Merck, was licensed in 1995 as a treatment for osteoporosis. Since 1995, more than 10 million patients have taken the drug. The bisphosphonate drug is mostly sold as a treatment for bone diseases, where there is a loss of bone mass. Fosamax is designed for the treatment of bone loss due to advanced cancer, Paget’s disease, or post-menopausal osteoporosis.

FDA Warning on Fosamax

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration asked Merck & Co. to issue a warning about the Fosamax side effects; however, a number of patients allege the drug manufacturer never informed them that the bisphosphonate drug posed a risk of jaw necrosis. About 3,000 cases of jaw necrosis have been reported among bisphosphonate drug users, including Fosamax, since 2003. In 2010, the FDA issued another warning for Fosamax consumers that they were at the risk of thigh fracture following long-term use of the drug.

Fosamax Lawsuit

Merck faces more than 900 Lawsuit nationwide over the side effects of Fosamax. In a recent lawsuit, in 2010, a federal district judge in Manhattan refused to dismiss a Fosamax lawsuit against defendant Merck & Co Inc's. The plaintiff from Indiana, Louise Maley, had alleged that after having taken Fosamax for eight-long years, she suffered jaw damage.

Fosamax Side Effects

Though Fosamax effectively works to prevent bone loss, serious side effects have been reported as a result of the use of the drug.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Fosamax inhibits the breakdown of the bone cells, allowing their rebuilding. This helps improve bone density, thus alleviating the risk of fractures. However, this way, bones become vulnerable to infection and disease, causing severe problems in the mouth. In fact, if the bacteria in the mouth reach the jawbone, the body might not be able to resist the infection, thus posing the risk of Osteonecrosis of the jaw. Numerous patients have complained of jaw necrosis following long-term use of Fosamax, necessitating dental procedures. Further, this increases the risk of deterioration of the Temporomandibular Joint if any dental procedure is carried out, which might even result in complete decay of the bone tissue, requiring complete removal of the jaw. Osteonecrosis of the jaw further causes numbness, jaw pain, gum infection, swelling, loose teeth, blood clotting disorders, and anemia. Patients who have undergone chemotherapy or have been treated with radiation or steroids are more vulnerable to jaw necrosis.

Fosamax and Bone Fracture

Reports suggest that long-term use of alendronate might cause low-impact femoral fractures, especially leg fracture affecting the upper thigh bone. Fosamax is known to make the thigh bone more brittle as it inhibits the cells that contribute to bone remodeling. Numerous studies have shown that long-term use of Fosamax poses the risk of development of such fractures. Some studies link Fosamax to an increase in the numbers of multinucleated osteoclasts.

Cancer

Numerous reports find cancer patients most at the risk of Fosamax side effects. It has been found that cancer patients treated with intravenous dose of the drug are more vulnerable than other patients that take the drug orally.

Gastrointestinal tract

In 2008, the FDA reported that alendronate and other bisphosphonate drugs can cause gastric and ulceration of the esophagus, besides increasing the risk for esophageal cancer.

Neurological

Bisphosphonates, including Fosamax, are also linked to visual disturbances and auditory hallucinations.

Common Fosamax Side Effects

In many patients, Fosamax is linked to severe allergic reactions, causing rashes, itching. Some patients also experience tightness in the chest, chest pain, painful swallowing and difficulty breathing. Other common side effects of the drug are as follows:

Swelling or pain in the mouth – lips, throat, tongue, jaw

Black, bloody stools

Coughing or blood vomiting

Persistent heartburn

Severe pain in bones, joints, or muscles, especially in the thigh, hip, or groin

Swelling of the hands, legs

Severe, persistent stomach pain or sore throat

Symptoms of low blood calcium – muscle cramps in your muscles, cramps, numbness, tingling in toes, fingers

Toxic epidermal necrolysis

Constipation, diarrhea

Mild stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, vomiting

Precautions While Taking Fosamax

Patients who find it difficult to sit upright or stand for at least half an hour must avoid intake of Fosamax tablet, as the drug can cause severe problems in the esophagus and stomach in such a scenario. Anybody who has been prescribed Fosamax must be able to stay upright for half an hour after the drug intake and should not lie down or recline.

Fosamax must be taken at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything in the morning.

Each Fosamax dose must be taken with a full glass of plain water; avoid coffee, tea, mineral water, or juice while taking the tablet. Avoid taking any other medicine, calcium, vitamins, or antacids before or after taking Fosamax.

Elderly women must have their parathyroid hormone level checked before beginning to take Fosamax so as to prevent osteoporosis, for low vitamin D levels can cause excessive levels of parathyroid hormone or secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Inform your dentist that you are using Fosamax if you need to undergo any dental procedure.

Fosamax is not recommended for patients sensitive to alendronate. Patients having low blood calcium levels or suffering from severe kidney disease should avoid Fosamax use.

Fosamax is a pregnancy Category C drug, which means it might be unsafe for use during pregnancy. Therefore, inform your doctor beforehand if you are pregnant or plan to conceive in the near future or are a lactating mother. Though no reports of any Fosamax side effects have been found to have impacted pregnant or lactating women, it is always a better to be on the safe side when it comes to intake of any bisphosphonate drug.

• < Prev
• Next >