Fosamax
Fosamax:
New York Attorney talks about the side effects of the prescription drug Fosamax
Fosamax is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and steroid-induced osteoporosis in men. It has been determined that these patients who took the drug face significant risk of a spontaneous femur, hip and thigh fracture injury. In many cases, patients have reported experiencing severe pain of the joints, muscles and/or bones for periods of weeks to months before a complete fracture occurred.
Long Island Attorney Rudolph Migliore states, “Fosamax is intended to relieve the suffering of arthritis but instead has caused devastating and sometimes crippling results on patients it was meant to help.” In Food and Drug Administration and independent studies, it was discovered that some patients using Fosamax had severe pain in joints, muscles and/or bones. Many of these patients who have suffered a broken femur, thigh or hip fracture after a minor fall from this medication do not have to be involved in an athletic activity for a fracture to occur. In most cases, women and men have done basic daily activities and have experienced a fracture.
The dangerous side effects of the prescription drug, Fosamax include femur fractures, ulcers, skeletal disorders, heartburn, inflammation, bloating, stomach pain, swelling of the hand, leg or joints and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (Dead Jaw) is a condition that keeps the patient from properly healing after minor traumas, surgery or tooth extractions, leading to loss of teeth, gum infections and jaw bone damage. “Many products, either pharmaceutical or surgical are well intended but on occasion are not adequately investigated for potential side effects or effective functionality of the product. This is often done for financial or expedient considerations. When there are short cuts taken, people suffer.”
If you or a loved one has suffered due to Fosamax, contact Rudolph F.X. Migliore, P.C.
Frequently asked questions about Fosamax:
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that means your bones are weak, and you’re more likely to break a bone. Since there are no symptoms, you might not know your bones are getting weaker until you break a bone.
A broken bone can really affect a person’s life. It can cause disability, pain, or loss of independence. It can make it harder to do daily activities without help, such as walking. This can make it hard to participate in social activities. It can also cause severe back pain and deformity.
What can cause me to have a higher chance of getting osteoporosis?
Conditions that can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis include:
- being female
- small, thin body (under 127 pounds)
- family history of osteoporosis
- being postmenopausal or of an advanced age
- Caucasian or Asian race, but African American and Hispanic women are also at significant risk for developing the disease
- abnormal absence of menstrual periods or having an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia that can cause menstrual periods to stop before menopause, and loss of bone tissue from too much exercise
- low testosterone levels in men
- a diet low in dairy products or other sources of calcium and vitamin D
- inactive lifestyle
- long-term use of glucocorticoids (medicines prescribed for many diseases, including arthritis, asthma, and lupus) anti-seizure medications; gonadotropin releasing hormone for treatment of endometriosis; aluminum-containing antacids; certain cancer treatments; and excessive thyroid hormone
- cigarette smoking and drinking too much alcohol
How can I find out if I have weak bones?
There are tests you can get to find out your bone strength, also called bone density. One test is a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). A DEXA takes x-rays of your bones. There are also other types of bone strength tests too. Talk with your doctor or nurse about which type of test is best for you.
If you are age 65 and older, you should get a bone density test. If you are between ages 60 and 64, weigh less than 154 pounds, and don’t take estrogen, get a bone density test. Don’t wait until age 65. You have a higher chance for breaks.
If I used Fosamax, am I at risk for osteonecrosis/dead jaw or hip/thigh/femur fractures?
Everyone's body responds to prescription drugs differently, and you may be one of the people who suffer a femur/hip/thigh fracture or develops ONJ/Dead Jaw because of Fosamax usage. It is important that you speak to your doctor about your condition and any potential side effects of your drug regimen.What can I do if one of my family members has a hip/thigh/femur fracture?
The first thing you should do is contact your doctor. Catching a fracture in the early stages can help prevent further complications. After you have secured your health, you need to talk to a Fosamax attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, but statute of limitation laws restrict how much time you have to take action. Contacting a lawyer sooner rather than later can help ensure that you do not suffer in vain.Can dental work, dental surgery or tooth extractions bring on dead jaw?
Dental work does not usually bring on ONJ, but in fact can alert people to potential serious problems. For example, a person on Fosamax needs a tooth pulled. They get the tooth removed by their dentist, and under normal circumstances the jaw begins to heal right away. Unfortunately, the jaws of people with ONJ do not heal as fast as they should, and it is not uncommon for people to still have lingering wounds three or four months after their procedures.Can I be tested for dead jaw?
There are no tests that directly reveal ONJ/Dead Jaw, but there are a number of conditions that can indicate if you are at risk of it. Blood tests for phosphate, magnesium, calcium, electrolytes, and hematocrit/hemoglobin should be performed every three to six months to ensure that ONJ does not develop. Blood tests also monitor the potential renal side effects bisphosphonate drugs can cause. Also, your doctor can perform bone density tests to ensure jaw and gum health.How long after using Fosamax or a bisphosphonate can I get ONJ/Dead Jaw?
Some people who have ONJ report that their jaws feel heavy or numb relatively quickly, while others do not realize their condition until they have routine dental work that refuses to heal properly. In any event, anyone who takes Fosamax could potentially develop a serious case of ONJ.How can our law firm help you?
The Migliore law firm located on Long Island, has represented clients in a wide range of product liability cases in the last three decades and has worked with nationally recognized co-counsel to reach successful verdicts. We work with other very successful law firms to provide you with the highest caliber legal help available and take every step necessary to obtain compensation on your behalf.
If you or someone you care about experienced a femur/hip/thigh fracture or dead jaw after taking the prescription drug, Fosamax, please contact the Long Island, NY law firm of Rudolph F.X. Migliore, P.C. at (631) 543-3663 to arrange a free case evaluation or contact us.
