Fosamax Side Effects

Fosamax Side Effects – Fosamax, one of the biophosphonate classes of drugs  prescribed for prevention as well as treatment of osteoporosis and certain other diseases that cause bone loss or bone deformities (Paget’s disease) has been in news for wrong reasons- its use has been associated with harmful Fosamax side effects. The manufacturer had introduced the drug with a promise that it will help patients experiencing bone loss by slowing the activity of those cells in the body that are responsible for erosion of bones. This activity enhances with age, after menopause (due to reduction in level of estrogen hormones) or, if someone has been taking corticosteroid medications for quite some time.  Coming as it was from such a reputed pharmaceutical company as Merck & Co., the users were confident that there could not be a question of serious Fosamax side effects.

Normal Fosamax Side Effects

Normally any drug evokes side effects that a patient should be made aware of. Likewise Merck & Co had disclosed that one could experience minor Fosamax side effects like cramps, diarrhea, mild headaches and skin rash which.

Fosamax Side Effects Not Forewarned

However, the patients were unprepared for many serious harmful Fosamax side effects.

It started with FDA issuing a Fosamax side effects warning in September 2004; the use of the drug had been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw bones exposing the patients to not only causing irreversible breakdown of jaw bones, but also predisposing the patients to secondary infections and bone fractures.

A study, reported in the Journal of Rheumatology, cited Fosamax side effects; it was observed that patients who were prescribed bisphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax were prone to suffer from osteonecrosis –the risks were found to be three times higher than normal.

Further FDA alert in 2008 cited increased chances of contracting complications involving other bones like osteonecrosis of the shoulder, osteonecrosis of the knee, and osteonecrosis of the hip.

Fosamax Side Effects : femur fractures

Fosamax side effects continued to hit headlines.  Users of Fosamax were found to have brittle bones. The drug has been linked to Fosamax femur fractures that occurred bafflingly without much of provocation (like fall or accident).  There is no indication to the patient that his bones have become brittle after starting Fosamax medication, except mild pain in the thigh which one would normally ignore as normal pain due to tiredness.

Thus, in October the FDA issued yet another Fosamax femur fracture warning about possible risk of atypical femur fractures.

Other Fosamax Side Effects

Other harmful side effects of Fosamax include:  abnormal heart rythm, headache, pain in the abdomen (irritation in  the esophagus leading to ulcers and bleeding, especially  when patients who consume less water while taking the drug, or take it on empty stomach), irritation due to acid reflux, feeling of nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps in muscles.  Less serious cases that occur in smaller numbers include conditions such as loss of hair, giddiness, fever, joint swelling in joints, rashes accompanied by itching sensation, allergic reactions, flu-like syndrome, and weakness.

Fosamax Side Effects Lawsuits

Fosamax has been found to remain in the body for long periods of time.  While many cases of Fosamax side effects have been reported in a short time after beginning the therapy, a number of side effects have been detected years after the drug had been prescribed. Many patients who have suffered Fosamax side effects have sought justice by filing lawsuits against the company.

If you have experienced any of the Fosamax side effects described in this article while on Fosamax prescription, you too may be eligible to file Fosamax Side Effects Lawsuit for compensation. You can receive a FREE Fosamax Side Effects Compensation Evaluation form to fill out: for this, you can enter your name and email above to receive the form via email instantly.

After submission, your case will be reviewed and you’ll know quickly if you qualify for Fosamax Side Effects compensation and if you can file a Fosamax Lawsuit.

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