Even the biggest pharmaceutical corporations in the world like Merck & Co.also have their share of hard times. What’s in the news is that Merck & Co.is suspected of Illegal Marketing Practices with regard to some of its drugs. However, what really puts the company in a bad position is the several complaints from users about the adverse reactions caused by Fosamax, one of its biggest selling drugs.In any given, Fosamax could be written in over 20 million prescriptions. Many have known this drug as alendronate, which is its generic form, and as the drug of choice for specific bone diseases like osteoporosis and Paget’s disease (osteitis deformans). It makes your bones strong by altering the cycle of bone remodeling particularly and prevent bone resorption.
However, there are mounting reports about the adverse effects that could result from the long term use of the drug. The most commonly reported cases were osteonecrosis of the jaw bone and an atypical fracture of the thigh bone. Moreover, the pharmaceutical company seemingly lacked the proper disclosure of the said hazards causing a number of its patronizers to take legal actions.
Around 2003 when one of the earliest Fosamax-related cases of ONJ was brought to the public. ONJ, also known by some as Bis-Phossy Jaw, is a serious bone disease where a bone tissue of the jawbone dies (necrotizes) due to inadequate supply of nutrition or blood. ONJ may present symptoms like pain upon chewing a gum and it usually detected during a dental check.
On the other hand, a specific type of fracture has also been associated to the prolonged use of the drug. It was noted in large studies that women taking bisphosphonate drugs, a drug classification which includes Fosamax, have incurred a low-impact femur fracture. Yet, this repercussion Is considered uncommon and that the beneficial effects of the drug still supersedes.
So that the risks of these complications are reduced, some health care providers have decided to order Fosamax on a shorter duration. In most cases, they will tell their patients to temporarily hold Fosamax and other bisphosphonate drugs after 3 years of drug therapy. While the adverse and other side effects of Fosamax are alarming, the benefits of the drug still outweigh the associated risks. Talk to your doctor to know if the drug is right for you.
