Fosamax Problems

Fosamax is one of the most widely used drugs with nearly 37 million prescriptions written. Recently, this drug faced many complaints by long-time users who reported that they suffered from femur fractures. This has also made researches possible to be able to find new ways to treat osteoporosis. Recently, researchers are developing potential stem cell treatment for osteoporosis. While recent additional studies uncover the other effects of this drug, findings came out supporting the claim that Fosamax can help prolong the life span of prosthetics.

In the United Kingdom, doctors have been following up on some 42,000 patients who were prescribed with Fosamax and have been implanted with artificial joints. Hip failures and other problems are less likely to occur in implant recipients who are into Fosamax therapy, says a study published in the British Medical Journal.

Fosamax has been the prescribed treatment for osteoporosis caused by menopause or by steroid intake in both men and women. It is also a treatment for Paget's Disease of the bone, a condition in which the bones are weakened and misshapen. This drug has also been a prescription for the medical condition called osteopenia, which is characterized by poor bone mineral density.

Oftentimes Fosamax therapy has had some issues with drug-to-drug interaction. At present, the possibility of other drugs contributing to the Fosamax femur fractures is under thorough investigation.

Apart from the intended medical impact, Fosamax also brings a number of unintended side effects to the body that can either be beneficial or unfavorable. Nevertheless, off-label use of the drug is strongly discouraged because of the possible harm.

Unintended Effects of Fosamax

If you develop severe allergic reactions such as rash, hives, itching, and difficulty breathing, you need to get medical attention immediately. Serious side effects might need you to stop your therapy and consult your doctor. These include:

• chest pain

• difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or painful swallowing (odynophagia)

• burning sensation under the ribs or in the back

• severe heartburn, burning pain in your upper stomach (epigastric area)

• fever, body aches, flu-like symptoms

• severe joint, bone, or muscle pain

• new or unusual pain in the hip or thigh

• jaw pain, numbness or swelling.

Less serious side effects are common in patients taking Fosamax, such as:

• mild heartburn

• bloating

• mild nausea, vomiting or stomach pain

• diarrhea, gas or constipation

• mild joint pain or swelling

• swelling in your hands or feet

• dizziness

• eye pain

• headache

The decision to undergo Fosamax therapy should only be done with your doctor's order and after obtaining complete information, including the duration of therapy, in order to prevent adverse results like femur fractures.

References:

foodandlife.com/foodo.html

ctds.info/osteoporosis-diet.html

medicinenet.com/super_foods_for_your_bones_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

mehlville-oakville.patch.com/articles/pondering-the-potential-of-pumpkins-310bde28

Fosamax Reminders

The drug called Fosamax is given to both men and women suffering from osteoporosis and other problems causing low bone density. It carries unfavorable effects alongside with its desired benefits, being a biphosphonate drug. Fosamax is facing many issues these days. Yet, various Fosamax opinions are sprouting. According to the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, Fosamax has lower fractures risk compared to another popular drug called Boniva. Meanwhile, an added opinion has been given by a popular health writer Stacey Singer. Checking both will do good.

Here are some helpful tips for your Fosamax therapy, as complaints against it continue to increase.. Likewise, you need to scan through the medication pamphlet of your Fosamax medicine each time you get a refill to latest updates about the drug. Furthermore, these tips do not provide all the information you need about the drug thus it is still best to consult your doctor for your questions about your medical condition and treatment.


It is essential to know that taking Fosamax may bring about serious adverse effects to your health. Among these side effects are:

• Esophageal problems
• Diminshed amount of calcium in the blood known as hypocalcemia
•  Intense musculoskeletal or bone and joint pains
• Death of bone tissues (osteonecrosis) of the jaw
• Atypical femur or thigh bone fracture
•  You need to consult your doctor right away if any of this conditions happen to you.

Before, during and after taking the drug, be guided with these tips.

• Take the drug according to the doctor’s order.
• Take Fosamax after you get up for the day and before taking any food, drink or other medicine since they affect the drug absorption.
• Do not crush the tablet in your mouth.
•  Take Fosamax with a full glass of plain water only, not with mineral water, coffee, tea, soda or juice.
• Stand or sit upright for not less than 30 minutes after taking the tablet or oral solution of Fosamax. Moreover, do not take any kind of food or medication like antacids, calcium and other vitamin supplements or drink anything except plain water.
• If you forgot to take your Fosamax, do not take the drug later in the day. Skip and continue with the next dose the next morning, however, do not double your dose.
• For patients prescribed to take Fosamax once a week, take the drug the next morning after remembering and return to your usual schedule.

It is always best to discuss those matters with your healthcare provider. This is just a guide to avoid danger while on your Fosamax therapy. There may be other Fosamax side effects and complaints. Moreover, a Fosamax lawsuit may be filed if you believe you suffered distress while taking the drug.

References:

http://www.amcp.org/JMCP/2011/October_2011/12813/1033.html

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/on-call/2011/10/24/fosamax-boniva-actonel-should-anyone-take-these-osteoporosis-drugs/

Osteoporosis Screening Methods Overview

With risk factors that encompasses everyone, nobody is safe from osteoporosis. Right now, more than 10 million Americans – both men and women – have already been afflicted with this major health problem and 34 million more at great risk. So that health plans will be initiated sooner, detecting the disease before it develops further is crucial.

There is much effort people exert in preventing or treating osteoporosis although some may not be very effective. For example, drugs like soy supplements that not diminish symptoms of osteoporosis are being included in their therapy since many believed they are beneficial.

To find out if you are likely to develop osteoporosis, your bone mineral density (BMD) is being computed. Diagnostics for osteoporosis are essential in your therapy and we have listed the most commonly used tools to make you familiar with those tests.

Dexa Scan (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry or DXA)

DXA is the most preferred technique to measure BMD. A DXA machine produces 2 x-ray beams with different energy levels – one beam has higher while the other has lower energy level. The thickness of the bone is determined by the amount of x-rays passing through the bones and from there the BMD can be measured.

Quantitative Computed Tomography

QCT bone densitometry uses high amount of exposure to radiation and costs a lot of money causing it to be unavailable for general clinical use. The method uses a CT scanner to get an accurate status of your bone. This 3-dimensional technique though is 2-3 times more sensitive than DXA making it the most accurate tool to measure bone density.

Ultrasonography

Quite a new diagnostic tool to determine your BMD, the ultrasound does not use radiation. The sonar beam is directed to a certain area where the scattering and the absorption of the waves will allow the assessment of BMD. This fairly new tool is still not as precise as the previous two techniques and perhaps more research are still being conducted about it.

Life with osteoporosis is never a joke. The throes of the disease itself are already an ordeal; and if you are taking bisphosphonates you might also be in agony with its adverse effects. For instance, some long-term Fosamax users claimed they have been harmed by the prolonged use of the drug which triggered them to file a Fosamax lawsuit against the maker of the drug.

References:

http://www.newportbodyscan.com/OsteoporosisFAQ%27s.htm#6

http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/guide/dexa-scan

Fosamax Victims Can Afford to Pursue a Fosamax Femur Fracture Lawsuit

The femur is the largest and strongest single bone in the human body. A fracture of the femur will not only result in the most excruciating pain, but can also inhibit a person’s mobility. Patients that are experiencing these symptoms as a result of chronically taking the osteoporosis medication, Fosamax, may be interested in filing a Fosamax fracture lawsuit against the company that manufactures and distributes the drug, Merck. Concerns over potential hefty legal fees are alleviated with the fact that Fosamax femur fracture lawyers are not as expensive as previously thought.

A 2008 study by the Journal of Orthopedic Trauma has revealed evidence that long term use of Fosamax could lead to low impact femur fractures resulting from falls at standing height or less. This has led to an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to find whether or not there is a direct causal relationship between Fosamax and femur fractures, which could ultimately result in a public recall and multiple Fosamax femur lawsuits.

Although a Fosamax recall has yet to be implemented, there is increasing evidence to encourage anyone who has suffered from a low impact femur fracture while taking the drug to begin preparing a case against Merck. Low impact fractures are not a common occurrence and the severity and unpredictability of these fractures should entitle victims of this drug to proper punitive damages from the pharmaceutical company distributing the drug.

Not all lawyers are necessarily expensive. It is unlikely that a Fosamax femur fracture lawyer will bill their clients at an hourly rate. Instead, a contingency fee arrangement will be made at the formation of the attorney-client relationship. This entails the attorney taking a percentage of the recovery, which is typically between a quarter to one third of the settlement, should the client win their Fosamax femur fracture lawsuit. However, should the client lose the case, they both receive nothing.

Fosamax femur fracture lawyers have made it affordable for victims to pursue a Fosamax femur lawsuit. Patients that have been affected by chronic Fosamax intake should get the reparations they are entitled to. Updated information about the Fosamax femur fracture lawsuit can be found on the website.