Fosamax Questions
Q: What is Fosamax?
A: Fosamax is a prescription medicine used to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Fosamax is also used to treat Paget’s disease. Fosamax is intended to prevent bone breakdown and increase bone density. Fosamax, a bisphosphonate drug made by Merck, won approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1995.
Q: Should I stop taking Fosamax?
A: You should never stop taking medication without first consulting your doctor.
Q: What is osteoporosis?
A: Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bones become thin and weak, and are easily broken.
If you have experienced any ONJ-like symptoms while taking Fosamax, contact your doctor. You may also wish to meet with an attorney to discuss your legal options.
Osteoporosis may have natural causes or it may be caused by taking corticosteroids.
Q: What is Paget’s disease?
A: Paget’s disease is a condition in which the body replaces healthy bones with weak ones.
Q: What is the latest news about Fosamax?
A: Some reports have linked Fosamax to a serious side effect called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or “dead jaw syndrome.” ONJ is a medical condition in which the jawbone partially crumbles and dies. ONJ may cause severe pain, loose teeth, exposed bone, loss of function and disfigurement.
Q: If I took Fosamax, am I at risk for ONJ?
A: Each person’s body responds to drugs differently, and you may be one of those who develop ONJ because of Fosamax usage. Again, it is important that you speak to your doctor about your condition and any potential side effects of your drug regimen.
Q: Can I be tested for ONJ?
A: There are no tests that directly reveal ONJ, but there are a number of conditions that can indicate whether you are at risk of it. Blood tests and bone-density tests should be done to ensure the health of your jaw and gums.
Q: How long after using Fosamax might I get ONJ?
A: It depends. Some people who have ONJ report that their jaws feel heavy or numb, but others do not realize their condition until they undergo routine dental work that refuses to heal properly. At any rate, every person who takes Fosamax could develop a serious case of ONJ.
Q: Can dental work, dental surgery or tooth extractions bring on ONJ/dead jaw?
A: Dental work does not cause ONJ; on the contrary, it can alert you to the existence of such a disease.
Q: Does Fosamax interact with other drugs?
A: Fosamax and certain other medicines can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all the drugs you take—prescription and non-prescription alike.
Q: Can ONJ be stopped or reversed?
A: Once properly diagnosed, treatment for jaw death depends greatly on the extent of the damage. Studies are underway to determine whether cases caused by Fosamax can be resolved by simply reducing intake of the drug, but more complicated cases can require surgical removal of the affected regions of the jaw.
Q: Will Fosamax be recalled?
A: It has not happened yet, although some people think it should. Merck, which brings in more than $3 billion per year with this drug, resists issuing a recall.
Q: What should I do if I think I have been injured as a result of taking Fosamax?
A: If you have experienced any symptoms or unusual medical conditions while taking Fosamax, you should first contact your doctor. You may also wish to meet with an experienced attorney to discuss your options (such as filing a
Fosamax lawsuit) and to protect your right to a legal remedy for any injuries you have suffered.
