Fosamax – Spontaneous Femur, Hip & Thigh Fracture
Fosamax is a drug prescribed to treat and prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and steroid-induced osteoporosis in men. It has been determined that patients who took the drug face significant risk of a spontaneous femur, hip and thigh fracture. 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.
Dangerous Side Effects
The dangerous side effects of the prescription drug, Fosamax include:
| •Femur fractures | •Inflammation | |
| •Ulcers | •Bloating | |
| •Skeletal disorders | •Stomach pain | |
| •Heartburn | •Swelling of the hand, leg or joints Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) |
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
If you have been taking Fosamax and believe the drug has seriously harmed you, call (631) 543-3663 to arrange a consultation with an experienced product liability attorney. There is no charge for a case evaluation to determine whether you have grounds for a claim.
Frequently asked questions about Fosamax
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes weakness of bones. A person with osteoporosis is more likely to break (fracture) a bone. Since there are no symptoms, you might not know your bones are getting weaker until a fracture occurs. .
A bone fracture can negatively affect a person’s life, causing disability, pain or loss of independence. The result can make it harder to engage in daily activities and without help and can make it hard to participate in social activities.
What can cause me to have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis?
Conditions that can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis include:
- Female
- Small, thin body (under 127 pounds)
- Family history of osteoporosis
- 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
- 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 (bone density). One test is a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan (DEXA scan). A DEXA scan takes x-rays of your bones. There are several other tests as well, so talk with your doctor or nurse about which test is best for you.
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. Early diagnosis of a can help prevent further complications. After you have secured your health, you need to talk to a product liability attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, but it is important not to delay, statute of limitation laws restrict the 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. As an example, a person without ONJ will begin to recover immediately from a tooth extraction. Whereas in a person with ONJ will suffer a significantly delayed healing time
Can I be tested for Dead Jaw?
No tests directly reveal ONJ/Dead Jaw, but a number of conditions can indicate whether you are at risk. Doctors should perform blood tests for phosphate, magnesium, calcium, electrolytes and hematocrit/hemoglobin 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. If you are taking Fosamax, 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 Long Island, NY law firm of Rudolph F. X. Migliore, P. C. 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 to provide clients 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, call (631) 543-3663 to arrange a free case evaluation or contact us online.
