Is Your Story Similar?
“I was prescribed Fosamax for my osteoporosis, which I took faithfully for a year. Last August, I had some minor dental surgery, but the soreness never went away. After a while my jaw started to feel numb and a couple of teeth came loose. I returned to the oral surgeon and he said I had developed ‘Dead Jaw.’ Now I’m looking at painful sumerrgery to remove some jawbone tissue.”
Fosamax is a prescription drug used to treat bone thinning disorders, such as osteoporosis and osteitis deformans. Unfortunately, Fosamax has been found to cause deterioration and destruction of jaw bones. There is also increasing evidence that Fosamax may be linked to the failure of femur fractures to heal.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with jaw bone loss or dental problems associated with bone loss, or a femur fracture that has not healed, contact Gregory & Swapp immediately to learn how we can help you recover financially from the side effects of this dangerous drug. Please contact us by calling toll free at 1-800-404-9000 or by submitting details of your case on-line.
(Box) WARNING: Patients taking Fosamax should speak with their doctors to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of Fosamax use. Many experts are cautioning Fosamax users to avoid oral surgery, tooth extraction, and other types of minor dental trauma because these can drastically increase the risk of Fosamax dead jaw.
What is Fosamax?
Fosamax® (alendronate sodium) is a popular prescription drug used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, primarily with post-menopausal women (although men with osteoporosis can also be prescribed Fosamax). Another version, Fosamax Plus D, contains vitamin D. Fosamax was approved by the FDA in 1995.
As a bisphosphonate class drug, Fosamax reduces the activity of cells that cause bone loss. The use of Fosamax use decreases the rate of bone loss or, when used with steroids, can increase the amount of bone. In addition to use with Osteoporosis, bisphosphonate drugs is used (in higher doses) with bone cancer patients to help manage bone paid and possible bone fractures.
Fosamax is manufactured by Merck & Company and is still on the market. It is being taken by nearly 10 million patients and has annual sales of $3.2 billion.
Recent studies have shown a link between use of Fosamax with the development of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw or ‘Dead Jaw’ – a serious and possibly irreversible deterioration of the jaw. Common symptoms of this disorder are: pain in the jaw (pain similar to arthritis), a numb sensation in the mouth or jaw, infection of the gums, loosening teeth, and exposed bone in the mouth. It also can cause a femur break to fail to heal.
In 2004, a study was conducted by the Long Island Jewish Medical Center that linked the use of Fosamax with dead jaw. After the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons published evidence about the risks of Fosamax dead jaw, the FDA urged Merck & Co. to add stronger warning to Fosamax labeling, which the company declined to do.
In 2005, Merck and the FDA jointly informed doctors and dental healthcare professionals of the potential dangers of routine dental work for people undergoing Fosamax treatment.
If you or a loved one has taken Fosamax and has been diagnosed with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), contact Gregory & Swapp to learn how we can help you recover financially from any temporary or permanent side affects related to this dangerous drug. Please contact us immediately by calling toll free at 1-800-404-9000 or by submitting details of your case on-line.
Fosamax Side-effects
According to a 2006 study, Fosamax or related bisphosphonates were linked to 2,400 cases of jaw-related bone damage. Other studies also blamed Fosamax with problems involved in tooth extraction, which led to Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ, also known as Dead Jaw Onset). Generally when a tooth is pulled, the bone structure of the jaw begins to heal, filling in the gap in the jaw bone while removing any dead tissue. Osteonecrosis of the Jaw interferes with the healing of the mouth and gums.
Fosamax has also been linked to the failure of femur fractures to heal.
Common symptoms of Fosamax dead jaw may include:
- Pain or swelling of the gums
- Loosening teeth
- Tingling, burning, or pain in the jaw
- Numbness or a heavy sensation in the jaw
- Altered or limited sensation in the jaw
- Exposed bone in the mouth
- Femur fracture that fails to heal
It is important to contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Diagnosing ONJ in the early stages can help prevent further complications.
If you or a loved one has taken Fosamax and has been diagnosed with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), contact Gregory & Swapp to learn how we can help you recover financially from any temporary or permanent side effects related to this dangerous drug. Please contact us immediately by calling toll free at 1-800-404-9000 or by submitting details of your case on-line.
Do I Have a Case?
If you or a loved one have been prescribed Fosamax and have developed symptoms of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) – please call Gregory & Swapp right away for a FREE consultation toll-free at 1-800-404-9000 or send us the details of your case on-line.
Our experienced Fosamax litigation attorneys will investigate the details and strengths of your particular case, and outline your legal options.
Because we accept your case on a contingency basis, there is no legal fee unless we recover money for you. Call or email us today, and let’s talk about how we can help you and your family recover financially from any injury caused by this dangerous drug.