http://www.fosamaxfemurfracturelawsuit.com/updates/some-fosamax-users-dont-take-the-drug-regularly/ - It has been reported that a drug manufactured by Merck & Co. Inc., known for its brand name as Fosamax, may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) after prolonged use. Osteonecrosis means bone death. It originates from the Latin word "osteo" which means bone and "necrosis" which means death. Osteonecrosis happens when the blood supply to a bone is suspended. Commonly, it happens at the end part of the bone where blood supply is most at risk. Necrosis is also known as avascular meaning "without blood supply" and ischemic meaning "inadequate blood supply".

1. As Published on the Fosamax Femur Fracture Lawsuit Website

2. It has been reported that a drug
manufactured by Merck & Co. Inc., known for
its brand name as Fosamax, may cause
osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) after prolonged
use.

3. Osteonecrosis means bone death. It originates
from the Latin word "osteo" which means bone
and "necrosis" which means death.
Osteonecrosis happens when the blood supply
to a bone is suspended. Commonly, it happens
at the end part of the bone where blood supply
is most at risk. Necrosis is also known as
avascular meaning "without blood supply" and
ischemic meaning "inadequate blood supply".

4. When osteonecrosis of the jaw symptoms
develop, it is often caused by some type of
invasive dental procedure like tooth extraction,
dental implant and bone surgery. These dental
processes may bare the jawbone and generate
the rise of ONJ symptoms. However, the link
between Fosamax and ONJ may be quite tricky
as there are Fosamax users who are not taking
the drug religiously.

5. Gums and the surrounding
soft tissues may become
inflamed and painful. One’s
teeth or tooth may become
loose. The mandibular or
maxillary bone may be
exposed through the
lesions in the gingiva. The
patient may feel the jaw
becoming heavy and
insensible.

6. Bisphosphonate drugs like
Fosamax have been
associated with ONJ cases.
Fosamax belongs to the class
of drugs known as
bisphosphonates. These
family of drugs work by
trimming the old bone that
breaks down. People suffering
from osteoporosis or at high
risk of developing the same
may take Fosamax or
alendronate hydrochloride to
prevent bone loss.

7. It is also used by people for the treatment of
Paget's disease. Fosamax has been one of the
most prescribed brands to treat osteoporosis
in recent years. However, several complaints
have been raised due to the rapid increase of
the occurrence of ONJ among users.
ONJ incidence appears to be uncommon in
people taking oral bisphosphonates such as
Fosamax, according to recent data. The
causative link between bisphosphonate drugs
and Fosamax has not been settled.

8. The principally reported
Fosamax side effects such as
femur fracture and
osteonecrosis of the jaw have
not been categorically proven
and further studies are still
being made.
Yet it have not stopped some people from
filing for a Fosamax femur fracture lawsuit.
Notwithstanding, the FDA has advised the
manufacturers of all bisphosphonate drugs to
include a warning in their labels about the
danger of osteonecrosis of the jaw, and Merck
the manufacturer of Fosamax did so last year.