Nowadays Fosamax is always in the spotlight. Now that
Fosamax lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey Superior Court, an increasing number of people are looking for Fosamax alternatives.
Biphosphonates are the general medical term given to Fosamax, a drug that augments bone mineral density by stimulating bone formation and restraining bone resorption or breakdown at the same time. Drugs belonging to this group are usually prescribed to prevent or treat bone diseases like osteoporosis, osteitis deformans (Pagets Disease), multiple myeloma, primary hyperparathyroidism and osteogenesis imperfecta. Yet, these drugs have earned notoriety for yielding unwarranted effects like osteonecrosis of the jaw bone (ONJ) and atypical thigh bone fractures.
Osteonecrosis of the jawbone (ONJ). ONJ is an infrequent but severe dental condition in which a fraction of a jawbone tissue is exposed. Poor blood supply happens, making the condition very difficult to heal till the bone tissue dies. There is no diagnostic examination that can be used to detect ONJ; it is only diagnosed when a jawbone is exposed, which lasts for more than two months or more. Pains and discomfort usually happens as a result of infection, swelling of soft tissue, drainage and exposure of the bone.
To reduce the risk of ONJ, good oral hygiene with regular dental care should be observed by the patient. Also, inform your dentist prior to any dental procedure that you are taking Fosamax or other bisphosphonates. People should also be reminded to postpone the use of biphosphonates when a dental procedure is scheduled no matter how minor the procedure is.
Atypical fracture of the femur. The US Food and Drug Administration advised the public on October 13, 2010 about the swelling of soft tissue, drainage and exposure of the bone. Volumes of research suggested that prolonged use of the drug could lead to the development of such fracture. Yet the FDA insisted that the benefits still outweighs the risk, which seems to be rare.
The FDA also asked the physicians that stopping the therapy for a little while might be the solution for people who felt significantly dull, aching pain in the thigh or groin. Most medical providers will have a reminder to use Fosamax for no more than four years. At the end of the day, fracture prevention is one of the goals in an osteoporosis treatment, which involves the occurrence of a
Fosamax femur fractures.
