Bisphosphonates and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw - Free Information - Alexander Hawes, LLP

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Fosamax Lawsuit Information: Bisphosphonates and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Bisphosphonates [such as Fosamax and Fosamax "D"] are drugs commonly used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.

They are widely used in the management of advanced cancers that have metastasized to the bone, where the disease often causes bone pain and possibly even fractures. Several cancers can metastasize to the bone, including lung, breast, prostate, multiple myeloma and others.

A serious and disabling complication of bisphosphonate treatment, osteonecrosis of the jaw, has been described in a total of 99 cases in two large case series.

ADRAC (Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee) has received nine such reports.

Most of the cases have occurred following intravenous Pamidronate (Aredia, Pamisol) and/or Zoledronate/Zoledronic Acid (Zometa) therapy for malignancy, but several have occurred after oral treatment with Alendronate (Fosamax) or Risedronate (Actonel) for osteoporosis.

Of the published cases, 82% followed dental surgery.

Presentation includes jaw pain, toothache, exposed bone and possibly also altered sensation and recurrent soft-tissue infection. The condition results in chronic pain and disfigurement and is resistant to treatment. Early diagnosis may reduce morbidity.

ADRAC advises prescribers to have a dental review conducted of patients scheduled to receive intravenous bisphosphonates, so that dental procedures can be completed prior to commencement of therapy.

Patients and their dentists should be advised of the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw so that any 'toothache' developing during treatment can be fully assessed for cause before treatment of the tooth commences.

Source: Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, 2005

If you have taken Fosamax in the past, and you have suffered any serious complication, you have certain legal rights, and you may have a legal case against Merck, the maker of Fosamax. You should thus contact an Fosamax lawyer as soon as possible.

Our law firm is currently investigating potential cases against Merck, and if you think that you may have been harmed by Fosamax, you are strongly encouraged to contact us. There is no charge, and no obligation. If we take your case, there is no fee for our services unless we win your case, or settle it in your favor.

On the other hand, if you fail to protect your legal rights now, you may lose the right to be compensated for your harm. (Persons seeking to preserve any potential legal claims should contact an attorney promptly, since all states have mandatory time periods in which lawsuits must be filed with the courts; otherwise, they may be forever barred).

Our firm has a great deal of experience in representing plaintiffs in “drug” cases.

In addition, we have the resources to handle our own cases. This means that when you call our firm, you talk to your own lawyer who has been assigned to your own case.

Please contact us now (your privacy is assured). The secure form below only takes a couple of minutes to fill out, but if you are uncomfortable sending your information over the internet, please call our toll-free number at 800.921.1776 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. Act now, as delays can harm your case.

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