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

Bone Health Support

The health of the bones is a very important factor that one must take into account, medical research says. Regardless of age and gender, healthy bones are necessary to ensure a healthy body. In fact, many different medical studies are being developed in order to know more about how one can have healthy bones. Recently, the National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA) commented about the latest osteoporosis study made by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Result from the osteoporosis study has made osteoporosis testing unnecessary once every two years.The NEJM showed that osteoporosis may develop in a very slow pace that testing for it is not helpful the way one thinks it is. However, as was highlighted by the NBHA, in order to protect those who are afflicted of osteoporosis, the results of the stud should be carefully assessed.

Many issues may come and go for the bones. Osteoporosis is just one of the examples. To prevent issues from appearing is to ensure the health of our bones. There are many ways in order for one to support his/her bone health. Here’s a list:

Calcium

Calcium is very well-known element that is good for the bones. There are many ways for one to get an adequate supply of this. Dark leafy vegetables and milk are good sources of calcium. Moreover, you can always check the label in order to know if the product is rich in calcium.

Exercise

To maintain and improve our health, activities that require physical effort must be carried out. There are different exercises one can take in which can be good for one’s bone health like jogging, swimming, dancing, and yoga. Depending upon your body type, you may need to exercise for half an hour to an hour.

Medical Check-Up

There is only one way of knowing if you are at risk of any kinds of bone disease: this is by going to a doctor. The doctor may perform exams in order to check the health of your bones. In this way, proper advice may be possible like giving medical prescriptions. As for osteoporosis, Fosamax has been famous as a preventive medicine. However, reports show that this is not the best medicine as far as lawsuits filed against the drug are concern.

This list is only part of the things you can do. There are still more and you might one to explore on that. However, you must always be careful and avoid things like Fosamax femur fractures from happening.

What We Need to Know More About Osteoporosis

The United States of America has been always problematic about osteoporosis, according to media reports. Medical reports show that millions of Americans are already affected of this medical condition while millions more are at risk of acquiring the disease. It is very clear why osteoporosis is considered in America to be a major health problem. For this reason, foods that can help fight osteoporosis are well researched these days.

As of now, many different misconceptions have been making rounds, which relates to the increasing number of people affected by osteoporosis. It is necessary for these information to be disseminated because they can be crucial in making the condition better. Check these information:

Drinking too much milk will guarantee that I won't get osteoporosis

To prevent osteoporosis, medical studies have found out that calcium is not the only necessity.Calcium is a significant aspect, but there are still other factors that need to intervene. On the other hand, a Swedish study has found out that there is a greater risk of osteoporosis on those women taking high doses of calcium every day.

I am too young to think about osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can strike anyone at any age,medical journals report. More importantly, keeping your bones healthy and strong needs to be started at a young age. This can be achieved by exercising regularly, consuming vitamin D and calcium-rich foods and engaging in less alcohol and non-smoking lifestyle.

Osteoporosis is a women's disease

According to statistics, more than two million Americans have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Furthermore, another three million more might be added to the statistics. Common factors of osteoporosis in men are excessive alcohol intake, smoking and prolonged use of gluccocorticoids, which are usually prescribed to treat arthritis.

I'll surely suffer from osteoporosis since my mother also had it

Although genetic predisposition is a huge risk factor of osteoporosis, anyone may be able to do something to prevent having the same fate as with your other family members. Diet, exercise and lifestyle all play important roles in identifying your risk of the disease. How men and women live are factors anyone can modify for good effect and impact. It is not impossible for you become the first in your family to the break the chain of osteoporosis in the family.

Understanding more of the facts about osteoporosis can help prevent the development of the disease. As a patient, the condition is agonizing enough and the treatment drugs are and added blow. For instance, osteoporosis drug Fosamax has been said to increase the risk of serious side effects, which triggered a few individuals into filing a Fosamax class action lawsuit against the manufacturer.

References:

spineuniverse.com/conditions/osteoporosis/myths-misconceptions-about-osteoporosis

iofbonehealth.org/patients-public/about-osteoporosis/osteoporosis-myths.html

Fruits and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be medicated by lifestyle changes and sometimes medication. Both may be the choice of people with osteoporosis But recent research presents that Fosamax, a drug that cures osteoporosis, may be substituted with dried fruits in order to beat osteoporosis. Additional researches also suggest that fracture follow-up can work as osteoporosis prevention.

Due to recent issues of Fosamax drug, patients may be encouraged to eat dried plums instead. However, always inquire to your healthcare expert about your decisions on your health conditions.

Dried Plums Instead of Fosamax?

Among the vegan recipes countering osteoporosis, dried plums are the most effective in elevating bone mineral density and promoting overall bone health. This study is conducted by researchers from Florida State University. Its publication is in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Researchers refer to the regular consumption of dried plums as a “simple, proactive solution to help prevent fractures and osteoporosis.

The study further revealed that dried plums have the ability to suppress the accelerated bone resorption process in older individuals, which ends up exceeding the body's capacity to produce new bone tissue.

The researcher also claimed that postmenopausal women who regularly eat dried plums have a lower risk of having osteoporosis compared to other women of the same age.

Women are More Susceptible to Osteoporosis

Postmenopausal women encounter osteoporosis more often because it is directly linked to the cessation of ovarian function. However, researcher Bahram Arjmandi said that men will also begin to encounter bone tissue loss as their testosterone production dramatically decreases by the age of 65.

"In the first five to seven postmenopausal years, women are at risk of losing bone at a rate of 3 to 5 percent per year," Arjmandi explained.

In the United States alone, there are around 8 million women and 2 million men suffer from osteoporosis. This is based on the current figures.

The Issues about Fosamax?

After the publication of a number of studies that link Fosamax to abnormal bone cracks and the release of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning in October, Fosamax lawsuits became one of the biggest issues being faced by Merck.

References:

sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110818093048.htm

Fosamax and Its Unwanted Side Effects

Fosamax has never been out of the spotlight. This is the reason why people continue to look for other alternatives, especially now that Fosamax lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey Superior Court.

A member of the biphosphonate family of drugs, Fosamax augments bone mineral density by stimulating bone formation and restraining bone resorption or breakdown at the same time and it is classified as a biphosphonate.

These drugs are used in many different condition such as osteoporosis, osteitis deformans (Paget’s Disease), multiple myeloma, primary hyperparathyroidism and osteogenesis imperfect. But these drugs were found out to cause very bad effects like like osteonecrosis of the jaw bone (ONJ) and atypical thigh bone fractures.

Osteonecrosis of the jawbone (ONJ). This condition is considered to be a severe dental condition in which exposure of a fraction of the jawbone tissue occurs. Sooner or later, the bone tissue will die due to the loss of blood supply. There is a big problem for this condition as no diagnostic examinations can detect ONJ. It can only be diagnosed when exposure of the jawbone happens, which can last for more than eight weeks. In most cases, the patient would feel pain or discomfort, resulting from an infection, swelling of soft tissue, drainage and exposure of the bone.

In order to reduce the risks of ONJ, the patient should observe good oral hygiene and regular dental care. When Fosamax and other biphosphinates are being used in medication, dentists should be informed. On the other hand, patients who have not started their bisphosphonate therapy may be asked to wait until any immediate dental procedure is finished, even if the procedure is just minor.

Atypical fracture of the femur. On October 13, 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration advised the public on additional two atypical femur fractures on the label warnings of bisphosphonates, which include Fosamax. The prolonged use of this drug can actually lead to the development of such fractures as researches suggest. But the FDA believes that the drug’s benefits can still outweighs its risks.

There is a FDA reminder about the use of this drug: when dull, aching pain in the thigh or groin occurs, the therapy must be discontinued immediately for a little while. Additionally, some health care providers prescribe Fosamax for a period not exceeding four years. After all, the goal of treating osteoporosis is the prevention of the occurrence of fractures and certainly dealing with Fosamax femur fracture will not make it right.

Fosamax Problems

Fosamax is one of the most widely used drugs with nearly 37 million prescriptions written. This drug recently received many complaints from their long-time users because they are believed to be the cause of femur fractures. Different studies have been set out to discover other conditions this drug can cause. However, a good thing was discovered because it was found out 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.

Men and women have been prescribed with Fosamax as a treatment for their osteoporosis, which are mostly caused by menopause or steroid intake. People with Paget’s Disease or those who experience weak or misshapen bones are also prescribed with this drug. Moreover, this drug is also a prescription among people experiencing poor bone mineral density or osteopenia.

Fosamax therapy have been reported for its drug-to-drug interaction issues. And right now, a thorough investigation is being made on the possibility that Fosamax femur fractures are happening due to other drugs.

Besides the anticipated effects, Fosamax intake may also cause unintended side effects to the body, some of which are positiveand otherwise less favorable.Nevertheless, off-label use of the drug is strongly discouraged because of the possible harm.

Side Effects of Fosamax

Medical attention must immediately considered if allergic reactions such as rash, hives, and difficulty breathing happens following the use of this drug. If medical attention is not sought, things can lead to the following:

• 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 duration of a Fosamax therapy is important because this can be vital in preventing adverse effects like femur fractures which is why a doctor’s order is important before taking this drug. A Fosamax lawsuit is currently being filed by many people due to these adverse effects.

References:

arthritis.webmd.com/news/20111206/study-bone-drugs-may-increase-longevity-joint-replacement-implants?src=RSS_PUBLIC

webmd.com/drugs/mono-7174-ALENDRONATE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1273&drugname=Fosamax+Oral

Different Approaches to Osteoporosis Prevention

The United States has around 44 million American suffering from osteoporosis and 68 percent of them are women. This disease is considered as a major health problem due to the 1.5 million average fractures it brings every year,medical research says. This problem has led to the development of many treatment options. One of the medical discoveries about this condition is that being heavy is better among those who are suffering from osteoporosis.

Deterioration of the bone happens when one is afflicted with the medical condition called osteoporosis. A bone density test may be done to diagnose or confirm it. In order to prevent the consequences of osteoporosis like bone breakage, this procedure can determine if you need an osteoporosis preventive medication.

Doctors may suggest you several types of therapies to help you in dealing the fractures that comes with osteoporosis. In addition, you may also be asked to adjust your diet and/or engage in regular exercises according to your need. Drug therapy alone may not produce the most desired outcome of the treatment.

Bisphosphonate drugs are presently the most preferred treatment for osteoporosis. They reduce bone loss by preventing bone resorption and lower the risk of spine and hip fracture. The alendronate drug Fosamax is the best example of this drug.

One of the most used osteoporosis treatment before biphosphonates came in the picture was estrogen hormone therapy. Primarily, the hormone estrogen increases bone formation and reduces bone resorption which prevents bone loss. The mechanism is similar to the testosterone replacement therapy which may be prescribed to men who have osteoporosis.

Nutrition, exercise, and safety considerations are the top priorities of a successful treatment program. People suffering from osteoporosis need to have adequate amount of vitamin D and calcium in their diet. Weight bearing are also important like walking and hiking.

There are many approaches for treating osteoporosis. The best treatment program can only be advised by a medical professional who knows your medical history. Advantages and disadvantages are expected in every kind of treatment. For example, the bisphosphonate medication Fosamax has been known to cause severe adverse events, among them atypical fracture of the femur. The drug company that manufactured it somehow failed to provide complete disclosure of the hazard. Right now, it is facing a Fosamax class action lawsuit.

References:

orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00232

aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-11-2011/carrying-few-extra-pounds-may-be-healthy.2.html

More Evidence Linking Fosamax to Bone Fractures

The New England Journal of Medicine has recently published a study which showed that the safety in the long term use of bisphosphonate drugs, like Fosamax, for osteoporosis treatment may be in question.The study suggested that in two separate case theories there has been a link between prolonged bisphosphonate therapy and atypical fractures.There was one study which showed a number patients sustained low-energy non-vertebral fractures while receiving long-term alendronate therapy; three were fractures of the femoral shaft.

Also the study showed that bone biopsies in the patients showed evidence of severely suppressed bone turnover and fracture healing that was delayed or not there at all.Fosamax is actually suppress bone turnover and thus might be associated with accumulated micro-damage in bone in theory.

In the published study the editor states: “To our knowledge, no study has demonstrated microdamage accumulation in patients treated with bisphosphonates, and data from studies in animals remain difficult to interpret because supranormal doses of bisphosphonates are used. Nevertheless, the possibility that bisphosphonates alter bone strength with prolonged use appears to exist.”

The length of Fosamax use seems to be a factor that the study takes into account.The results of the study concluded that the patients who have been on Fosamax for an average time longer than five years were 37% more likely to suffer from atypical fractures than patients who have been on the drug for less time

Fosamax lawsuit plaintiffs may want to take notice of the results of this this study as it may provide the link between Fosamax and bone fractures they have been looking for.As Merck and the FDA has both gone on record stating that more information is needed to link Fosamax to these types of bone fractures.

However the conclusion of the researchers have also stated that they need more information to definitely link Fosamax to atypical bone fractures.In conclusion the editor of the study states: “In light of the limitations of our study, a prospective study is indicated. Although many possible explanations exist, patients with the unique radiographic pattern shown here may represent a subgroup of the population that is more susceptible to the effects of prolonged suppression of bone turnover. Additional studies are needed to characterize this subgroup and to establish a clear association between atypical fractures of the femur and prolonged bisphosphonate treatment.”

URL References:

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc0707493

health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080319/fosamax-linked-to-unusual-femur-fractures.htm

Fosamax Issues and Treatments

Men and women alike are susceptible to osteoporosis.. Yet due to the decrease in estrogen production during the menopausal period of women, they are more affected. This reproductive hormone is vital in bone formation and bone remodeling. According to the World Health Organization, around 2.5 standard deviation DXA of bone mineral density (BMD) is found in every osteoporosis patient. There is no marked symptoms associated with this bone anomaly but there is an increase of bone breakage among osteoporosis patient. Specific types of medication such as biphosphonates and lifestyle changes are the common treatments for this kind of medical condition. The increase of Fosamax issues has made medical organizations to have a goal of reduced osteoporosis fractures by 20%. Heart attacks, strokes, and new breast cancer effects should be more dangerous than osteoporosis but statistics prove otherwise. A lot of money is also spent on this bone condition. And this will continue to rise as trends had shown.

A medical condition where degeneration of the bone occurs is called osteoporosis. Old age is seen as a culprit but it can still be caused by many other factors. Bones being brittle, porous, and prone to fracture are always the result.

Formulation of many osteoporosis treatments are being made in order to save any people. Lifestyle changes in diet, exercise and fracture risk prevention are the top treatments currently made for this medical condition. Yet, along with the previously noted lifestyle changes, biphosphonates, vitamin K, vitamin D, and calcium supplements, and estrogen.

The commonly prescribed drug for those who have osteoporosis is antiresorptive or bone anabolic agents such as biphosphonates. An example biphosphonate drug is Fosamax which is a medication normally prescribed to patients. Patients with osteoporosis who are using biphosphonate drugs for the first four years showed improvement in bone strengthening and risk prevention. However, reports from long-term Fosamax users of five years or more claim that the drug caused atypical, low-impact femur fractures, striking an additional blow to the accumulating lists of Fosamax adverse effects. And many people have now filed a Fosamax lawsuit because of these femur fractures.

Reference:

endocrineweb.com/conditions/osteoporosis/osteoporosis-drugs-medications

heraldonline.com/2011/11/15/3530056/leading-health-organizations-and.html

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

Fosamax Warning Labels Changed on Back of Online Publications

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated its public information which it had previously communicated describing the risk of atypical fractures of the thigh, known as subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femur fractures also commonly known as Fosamax femur fractures, in patients who take Fosamax for osteoporosis.All of the information which was made public will also be added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the labels of all bisphosphonate drugs approved for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis.

There was also a recent new task force which reported on all bisphosphonates, just like Fosamax, and an association with atypical femur fractures in osteoporosis patients has caused the FDA to reconsider requiring drug companies like Merck to make a label change to increase the warning about this rare but serious side effect.

On September 14, 2010 the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published and online article titled "Atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures: Report of a task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research".In summary, the task force reviewed 310 cases of "atypical or low-impact femur fractures," and found that 94 percent (291) of patients had taken Fosamax, for more than five years.

Similarly another online article also published on September 14, 2010 titled "FDA Statement on ASBMR report: Possible Increased Risk of Certain Types of Thigh Bone Fractures with Long-Term Bisphosphonates Use", states that the FDA may want to urge companies like Merck to change the warning labels on drugs like Fosamax.

This article made many physicians who would prescribe their patients Fosamax able to advise about the possibility of atypical femoral fractures and of the potential for bilaterality through a change in labeling of Fosamax.

Fosamax is a drug designed to help with bone loss due to several diseases like osteoporosis.However, the recent findings of several online publications have shown that Fosamax can actually cause atypical femur fractures.These findings of both the online publications and the task force has led the FDA to call for a change in the warning labels on Fosamax.To those who have suffered a low-impact bone fracture that has been caused by Fosamax use a consultation with a healthcare professional should be done as soon as possible.

URL References:

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm203891.htm
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc0707493

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/

Read This Before Filing A Fosamax Lawsuit

Even before the Food and Drug Administration issued a post-marketing safety report requiring product labeling for bisphosphonates to reflect the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), it is already publicly known thatmany people have been affected by the dangers associated with the medicine called Fosamax. Here, we can see that people were just reasonable when they filed for a Fosamax lawsuit. But we have to learn about things we must consider before we file for a lawsuit as a popular Fosamax Femur Fractures theory are facing challenges.

• Consult with a trusted physician. Most often, patients are not sure if Fosamax was really the cause of their injuries or if it injured them at all. A licensed and experienced physician is the best person to answer these important questions. She or he can advise their patients about continuing with their current Fosamax treatment or changing to an alternative therapy for osteoporosis.

• Collect records. Succeeding in a Fosamax femur lawsuit requires gathering the best evidence in order to prove that the drug caused actual harm. Patients should gather the following records: medical records; insurance documents including Medicare; a list of expenses; and employment records. These documents are necessary for proving "economic" losses before the court of law. Medical records provide documentation of any physical harm suffered from Fosamax intake. Insurance records show payment of treatment. Anything that does not appear in insurance forms, ranging from wheelchairs to costs of hiring a caregiver, can be found on a complete itemized list of expenses. Finally, loss of wages resulting from missed work can be shown to the court through employment records. The lack of these documents can be detrimental in efforts to prove the extent of injuries which could result in patients being denied any compensation.

• Keep a journal and save all forms of correspondence. Patients need to create a body of evidence to help the court decide what kind of compensation may be due to "non-economic" losses in a Fosamax femur lawsuit. Journal entries, correspondences to others through letters and e-mails, and even photographs showing the extent of injuries can prove to the court that a patient is entitled to damages for pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and other non-economic losses.

• Avoid direct communication with Merck or any other drug developer. Fosamax femur lawsuits are adversarial processes by nature. The same can be said for negotiating any Fosamax settlement with Merck. Anything communicated to Merck or any other drug manufacturer can be used against the patient in any legal setting. It is in the best interest of the patient to consult a lawyer before signing any documents or communicating with Merck in any way

Determining how effective your Fosamax lawsuit depends on how affected parties take into account these important things.

References:

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1107029

http://www.ehow.com/list_6802382_reasons-medical-malpractice-claims.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_7765974_claim-accident-injuries.html

Paget’s Disease: Another Threat to your Bone Health

Fosamax has always been among the most widely used drugs in the United States over the years. But, if you look back and ahead at Fosamax lawsuits, you can tell that drug and its manufacturer, Merck,  also had their own share of bad times. This, and other drugs on the same classification are considered as the osteoporosis’ first line of treatment. Furthermore this drug may also be given to another serious health problem known as Paget’s disease.

Paget’s disease, also known to many as osteitis deformans, is the next most prevalent bone disease after osteoporosis in the United States. Added to that, it rarely occurs in people younger than 40 years old and its ratio from male to female is 1.2:1. Although it can exist in different areas in the world, it occurs largely in European countries such England, France and Germany.

Paget’s disease is a localized and chronic disorder that can result in enlarged and misshapen bones. In the initial phase of Paget’s disease, the bone remodeling cycle loses equilibrium where bone resorption becomes faster due to the increasing  number of bone cells responsible for breaking down the bones. It then proceeds to a stage with heightened bone formation causing bones that are larger but weaker than usual.

Paget’s disease can affect any bone in the skeleton but has affinity to the long bones, spine, skull and the pelvis. In most cases, this disease shows no symptoms at all making most of us unaware that we already have the bone disorder. Others may exhibit manifestations which depends on the afflicted bone of the disease. 

If left alone, this condition can lead to serious problems. For Instance, Paget’s disease with skull involvement can ultimately lead to the following problems:

•  Deafness
•  Vertigo
•  Tinnitus
•  Dental malocclusion
•  Basilar invagination
•  Cranial nerve disorders

Oftentimes patients diagnosed with Paget’s disease are treated with bone-strengthening drugs such as Fosamax or other bisphosphonates. However, there are findings suggesting that the use of Fosamax may put you at risk for serious problems including atypical fractures of the thigh bone. A significant number of people claiming to have been laid up by the long term effects of the drug are now determined to file a Fosamax lawsuit against Merck.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paget's_disease_of_bone

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/334607-overview

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/p/pagetbone/stats.htm

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

What are the Other Drugs Used for Osteoporosis

Afflicting more than 10 million Americans with another 34 million at risk, the remedy for osteoporosis is an essential medical intervention. When the reports about Fosamax and other bisphosphonates causing serious adverse effects arose, the demand for a different medication also skyrockets. A number of studies are also performed including one which aims to determine whether eating dried plums can replace Fosamax against osteoporosis.

Despite having bisphosphonates as the most widely recommended remedy, a number of alternative options are also invented to manage this brittle bone disease in cases where your health disallows the use of the said drug. Other medicinal therapies in line chiefly deal with replacing certain hormones in the body. These substitute medicaments are also becoming popular in reversing the effects of osteoporosis on the bones.

Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Before the advent of bisphosphonates in medical science, HRT is the most widely recommended treatment for osteoporosis. Women, particularly those who have passed menopause, are often prescribed with either estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin, which are known to prevent bone resorption and diminish the risk of fracture. Unfortunately, a study in July 2002 become the turning point of events as it revealed the significant increase of risk of morbid diseases such as breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke in some women.

Evista (raloxifene)

Evista is a drug under selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) class which acts like an estrogen on the bones but acts otherwise on the uterus and the breasts. Unlike HRT, raloxifene does not increase one’s risk of breast cancers. Although this medicine could increase the clot formation in the veins and in the lungs. 

Protelos (strontium ranelate)

In the constant bone remodeling cycle, strontium ranelate functions by preventing the loss of calcium from the bones during bone resorption while stimulating the formation of new bones which is done by bone cells known as osteoblasts. This drug is often prescribed to menopausal women suffering from osteoporosis. Unfortunately, this drug is only sold in Europe and is yet to be permitted by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.

While there are several pharmaceutical interventions available for treating osteoporosis, it is best to confer with your doctor to find out the treatment that fits your condition. Combating osteoporosis does not primarily depend on bisphosphonates like Fosamax. Therefore, it will be unnecessary to situate yourself in a great danger of incurring Fosamax adverse effects which are now becoming the basis of people filing a Fosamax lawsuit against Merck – the drug maker.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raloxifene

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000762.html

http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/guide/osteoporosis-treatments

How Sharon Wyatt’s Battle with Osteoporosis Ended with Jawbone Problems

Who could ever forget about Sharon Wyatt and the longest running soap opera in the American Television General Hospital? She played as Tiffany Hill Donely where she was active from June 1981 to July 10, 1984 and August 1986 to February 24, 1995 with reappearance in the 2008 season finale. Now that her part of the soap is done, she faces an entirely different challenge in her life – osteoporosis.

Sharon was diagnosed to have an early stage of osteoporosis way around four years ago. She was then prescribed with the bone-strengthening medication Fosamax which was made by Merck & Co. Fosamax is a bisphosphonate drug that is often prescribed for bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteitis deformans (Paget’s disease).

Fearing that her condition could get worse, Sharon adhered strictly to her Fosamax therapy. Surprisingly, she suffered a severe adverse incident. According to her, “It was supposed to help [my] bones, but it made it worse.”

It was found that Sharon had an osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). It’s a severe bone disease where a facial bone tissue necrotizes (dies) as a result of poor blood supply. 

The former General Hospital actress was nervous that ONJ would impinge on her career. “I’m afraid how it’s gonna affect my speaking.That’s death of an actor: If you can’t say the lines, you can’t work.” She already had a repair surgery for her ONJ last April 1.

As for now, Sharon is caring for her elderly mother in Tennesse. She needs to stay tough especially for her mother. "I told God I had about all I could handle and then this happens," she said."So I said, okay, fine, we'll get through this."

Bisphosphonates including Fosamax have been linked to ONJ. Merck allegedly failed to warn its patients about the said risk when taking the drug which might have made a significant decrease of the number of patients affected by the backlash.

Aside from ONJ, large studies have also noted the risk of suffering an unusual fracture on the femur bone after consuming the drug over a long duration. A number of patients have reported such incident claiming that their use of the drug has caused the damage. The other alternative treatment hormone therapy may also cause hip fracture when ceased according to a study – causing its patients to feel more dispirited.

Adverse Events Resulting from Fosamax Use

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.

What Is Paget’s Disease And Why Is Fosamax The Treatment?

With the controversies of Fosamax still ringing in the ears of many, more people, even men are filing Fosamax femur fracture lawsuits. This medication is said to cause several adverse effects after a long-term use. The widely known osteoporosis medication is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat this often overlooked bone disorder known as Paget’s disease.

Our bones go through a life-long process where mature bone tissues breakdown and are replaced with new bone tissues. With Paget’s disease of the bone, the breakdown and remodeling of the bone tissues becomes too excessive. The result of the process is misshapen, exaggerated but brittle and highly vascular bones.

Although the cause of Paget’s disease is unknown it is believed that it might be linked to the genetic composition or a viral infection in early life. The disease may only be in one or two areas of the skeleton, or throughout the body. The bones of the arm, the collar, the leg, the pelvis and the spine are the areas usually affected with the disease.

Most of the time, patients with Paget’s disease have mild or no symptoms at all. Often, symptoms are attributed with arthritis or other disorders. Symptoms may include:

• Bone pain – the most common symptom and usually occurs on the affected bone or the areas adjacent to the joints
• Enlarged head, headache and hearing loss especially if the skull is affected
• Bowing of the legs and other visible deformities
• Fracture especially on the long bones
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Neck pain
• Warmth of skin over the affected bone

Some cases do not need treatment. Most patients that are treated, however, are given drug therapy to help prevent further bone breakdown. Biphosphonates like Fosamax are presently the first-line of defense to help improve bone mineral density.

When treatment is given before major changes in the affected bones have occurred, the outlook is generally good. Possible complications of the disorder include bone deformities and fractures, deafness, paraplegia (paralysis of the lower extremities), and in rare occasions, a form of bone cancer known as osteogenic osteogenic sarcoma.

Fosamax is the drug of choice for Paget’s disease. Nonetheless, this drug should only be taken with your physician’s order to avoid any adverse events. Furthermore, if you suffered any harm due to long-term consumption of Fosamax, you may have a strong ground for filing a Fosamax lawsuit.

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Bad Effect Of Smoking Include Susceptibility To Bone Fracture

Bone fracture occurs when an extreme outside force applied to the bone exceeds the bone's capacity to sustain such a force. There are various factors which has been linked to an increased risk for bone breakage which has been studied and researched for ages. These factors may vary among distinct populations and under certain conditions that is why for more information regarding health issues afflicting you or your loved one, the best source of information is still a licensed and efficient physician. Nevertheless, one of the factors that increases the risk for bone fracture that has been an unhealthy fad popularized by the media and peer pressure is: cigarette smoking.

The youth are easily influenced by what the adults do, that is why it is important to start engraving into their minds that the bad habit of smoking cigarettes practiced by the older people should not be followed. Fracture is a common incident among old people because their bones are not as strong as they used to. The non-modifiable factors of bone breakage are: family history, genetics, culture, bone degenerating disease process such as osteoporosis, age, and sex.  Changes in lifestyle, smoking habits, alcohol intake, stress, bisphosphonate and glucocorticoid drug intake, diet, weight are some of the noted dependent factors for fracture susceptibility.

It has been a long time since precautions regarding smoking's bad effects to the body was first released to the public. Bone's calcium absorption is impaired by cigarette smoking. Calcium is a vital mineral stored and utilized by the bone. As expected, if the bone cannot absorb enough calcium, its bone mineral density is diminished. This is the reason why smoking is bad because it impairs our bones strength.

Easily fractured bones are also seen in most of the osteoporosis patients. There is a bisphosphonate drug usually prescribed by doctors which is Fosamax. Still, reports were received professing about the drugs bad effects to those who were using the drug for a long time. If you or your loved one suffered from atypical, low-impact femur fracture, you can talk to a reliable Fosamax lawyer who will guide you in filing a Fosamax Fracture Lawsuit for you and your family to gain just compensation.

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• Rottenstein Law Group Recommends Continued Vigilance Notwithstanding Downplay of Fosamax Risks (prweb.com)