Taking Fosamax

An alendronate sodium called Fosamax has been the object of complaints due to its adverse effect, which put its reputation in a bad light. Its manufacturer has been facing cases one after another. For example, a consolidated Fosamax lawsuit is scheduled for trial in February which will take place in the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Now, it is imperative that we know how Fosamax works in the body so that we will better understand why adverse events like these lawsuits happen.

Fosamax belongs to the group of drugs known as bisphosphonate which makes the bones stronger. This class of drugs helps prevent the loss of bone mass. Their method of action makes them potent for treating bone diseases like osteoporosis for both men and women as well as Paget’s Disease.

Although it looks pretty stationary, our bones are actually in a constant process of replacing themselves, called bone remodeling cycle – bone cycle or bone metabolism – throughout our lifespan. This cycle consists of three phases: bone resorption, osteoclastic reversal and bone formation. Typically, bone cycle in human runs about three to six months.

In the bone resorption phase, a type of bone cells called osteoclasts break down bone tissues and release minerals like calcium into the blood. Moreover, osteoclastic reversal is the phase when the resorption process shifts to formative process. The last step of the cycle is the bone formation where there is the growth and development of bone tissues.

Bisphosphonates alter the bone cycle by hampering bone resorption, holding back bone loss. Minimizing the rate of bone thinning in people with osteoporosis aids in reducing the risk of bone fracture. The ultimate goal of treating osteoporosis is to prevent the occurrence to bone fractures.

However, there is mounting evidence that bisphosphonates, particularly Fosamax and its generic alendronate, may cause an unusual type of fracture in the thigh bone after using the drug for five years or so. There were some concerns that long-term bisphosphonates use can cause an over-suppression of bone turnover. Additionally, it is believed that minute cracks in the bone that were not able to heal well eventually mount up and cause this king of fracture.

Right now, the main goal is to prevent fractures from happening which is an adverse situation deemed rare. Many doctors have changed their prescription lengths of Fosamax to not more than three years as a response to these reports. Many of those who have suffered this type of Fosamax femur fracture have filed a Fosamax lawsuit already.

References:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/405699_4
http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/notices/2008/n081023b.pdf
http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/notices/2008/n080716e.pdf