About Fosamax

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Osteoporosis Drugs Linked to Jaw Bone Death

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Fosamax, which has the generic name alendronate, is a prescription drug manufactured by Merck belonging in the group of medicines called bisphosphonates. Like other bisphosphonates, Fosamax is commonly used to prevent and treat bone loss caused by osteopenia, osteoporosis, cancer, and Paget’s disease.

How Fosamax Treats Osteoporosis

Fosamax treats osteoporosis by slowing the body’s natural process of dissolving bone tissue while at the same time increasing bone mass. Increased bone density and strength from taking Fosamax help prevent osteoporosis, or where osteoporosis has already developed, reduce the risk of broken bones and fractures caused by osteoporosis.

While Fosamax is most commonly prescribed to postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or at risk for osteoporosis, Fosamax may be prescribed to men with osteoporosis or at risk for osteoporosis as well. Due to potential adverse side effects, Fosamax should not be taken by pregnant women, people with severe kidney problems, or people with severe heartburn or inflammation of the esophagus. Further, Fosamax tablets must be taken with a full glass of water and patients should not lie down, eat, or drink anything for 30 minutes after taking a Fosamax tablet.

Fosamax, ONJ & Other Side Effects

After obtaining approval from the FDA, Merck released Fosamax onto the market in 1995. Since Fosamax’s release, it has been discovered that osteoporosis medications, such as Fosamax, cause several potentially severe side effects. In fact, researchers have found that Fosamax and other osteoporosis drugs can cause patients to develop painful and irreversible jaw bone decay, also called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) or “Dead Jaw.”

Additionally, osteoporosis medications, like Fosamax, have been linked to the chronic heart condition atrial fibrillation and to severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and muscle pain. Other serious side effects associated with osteoporosis medications include:

chest pain
difficulty swallowing
new or worsening heartburn
jaw pain, numbness, or swelling

To date, Merck continues to endorse Fosamax for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis despite these known serious adverse effects. In addition to Fosamax, similar problems with other bisphosphonates such as Boniva, Actonel, Zometa, and Aredia have also been reported.

Contact Us Today

If you have taken Fosamax or another osteoporosis medication and suffered a severe side effect such as ONJ, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to learn more.

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Quick Facts

Other Names:

Boniva
Actonel
Aredia
Zometa

Date Approved:

1995

Manufacturer:

Merck

Status:

Black Box Warning

Approved Uses:

Osteoporosis

Off-Label Uses:

Paget's disease
Osteopenia

Serious Side Effects:

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
Atrial fibrillation
Chest pain
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Pain or burning under the ribs or in the back
New or worsening heartburn
Severe joint, bone, or muscle pain
Jaw pain, numbness, or swelling

Common Misspellings:

Fasomax
Fasamax
Fosomax
Fosimax
Fasimax

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