Fosamax ONJ

Fosamax or alendronate sodium is a United States Food and Drug Adminsitration approved osteoporosis drug which is part of a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are used in the treatment of osteoporosis (bone loss) in post-menopausal women; to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis; and to treat Paget’s disease. Bisphosphonates, once taken, remain in the bones indefinitely. It can upset the delicate balance between the cells that put calcium in bone and the cells that take calcium away. Fosamax has been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw also known as jaw necrosis or jaw death which can cause extreme pain and may require the jaw to be removed.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a painful, deteriorative condition that involves soft-tissue swelling in the mouth, infection, loosening of the teeth, drainage, and exposed bone. It is often the result of blood not properly reaching the bone.

Since 2003, more than 3,000 cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw have been reported among users of Fosamax. In 2004 the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) directed the manufacturer of Fosamax, Merck & Co to issue a warning about the risk of developing osteonecrosis from taking Fosamax. Merck & Co did issue the warnings to doctors but the patients who used Fosamax never received the warnings. Many continued to use Fosamax unaware of the possible side effects until they developed osteonecrosis of the jaw.

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Pharmaceutical products are by nature thought to be safe and effective for their intended use. It is assumed that all necessary testing has been done by the pharmaceutical company before the product is released for sale to public. Pharmaceutical products, especially those sold by prescription have to pass a rigorous pre-market approval process by the USFDA. Once it passes through the approval process, the public assumes that the pharmaceutical product can be safely used for the purpose for which it is intended. If the pharmaceutical product has defects or is contaminated or does not contain warnings about possible adverse effect, it amounts to negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a painful condition that can result in serious health complications. If you are or one of your loved ones is suffering from osteonecrosis of the jaw due to Fosamax, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering.