Why Take an Osteoporosis Drug That Kills Your Bones?

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Why Take an Osteoporosis Drug That Kills Your Bones?

 

 

Bisphosphonates, a class of drugs used to prevent broken and

deteriorating bones in cancer and osteoporosis patients, have been

linked to a serious side effect called osteonecrosis, in which areas

of bone in the jaw die.

 

However, while small, but increasing, numbers of complaints seem to be

popping up, along with rising numbers of lawsuits aimed at the drugs'

makers, many unanswered questions remain.

 

One major question is just how many people are suffering from

osteonecrosis of the jaw related to bisphosphonates. There are two

varieties of the drugs, one taken intravenously by cancer patients

(Zometa and Aredia), the other taken in lower-dose pill form by those

with osteoporosis (Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva).

 

Incidence of osteonecrosis among cancer patients is estimated at

between 1 percent and 10 percent, while incidence among osteoporosis

patients is unknown.

 

Doctors and Dentists Puzzled

 

Patients want to know whether they should stop taking the drugs, and

whether osteonecrosis is treatable, but doctors and dentists don't

have the answers. There is virtually no firm data available, and

studies to provide answers are just beginning.

 

Invasive dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, may spur

osteonecrosis, so some dentists have stopped treating patients taking

the drugs. As for treatments, the best solution seems to be antibiotic

rinses, but many people with the condition have not gotten better.

 

All bisphosphonate drug labels must include the link to osteonecrosis

of the jaw. However, the drugs remain in bones for years, so no one

knows how long the risk of osteonecrosis remains, even if the drug is

no longer being taken.

 

Spartanburg Herald-Journal June 2, 2006

 

New York Times June 2, 2006 (Registration Required)

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

I warned you about the dangers of this class of drugs eight years ago.

Apparently the mega-drug companies are getting pretty concerned as

patients flock to oral surgeons and dentists for answers to this awful

side effect, and firm answers are close to nonexistent.

 

Merck is the manufacturer of Fosamax, and it may actually suffer more

damages from the lawsuits being filed on Fosamax than it will on

Vioxx. The Fosamax suits claim it is a dangerous product because it

can cause osteonecrosis, a condition that causes your jaw bone to rot

and decay.

 

Fosamax's existing labeling provides no adequate warning of the drug's

side effects. Why? It's a member of the nitrogenous biophosphonate

family of drugs used for chemotherapy that have been associated with

osteonecrosis. By the way, the newer drug, Boniva, is in the same

class of drugs as Fosamax, and isn't all that different.

 

With Vioxx, Merck can get away with a lot of hogwash and say many

things can cause heart attacks, not just Vioxx. But, with Fosamax,

osteonecrosis of the jawbone is not caused by smoking or eating French

fries.

 

Oral surgeons and many dentists started noticing this link five years

ago. Last month, the American Association of Endodontists issued a

position statement recommending that dental surgeons should check

whether patients are on Fosamax and if so to look for this condition.

This has become so common that dentists are now referring to this

condition as fossy jaw.

 

In addition to this rotting jaw bone problem, Fosamax has also been

associated with serious eye problems.

 

Merck grosses $3 BILLION a year from this deceptive scam. Don't be

fooled into believing that Fosamax, or any drug, is the solution to

improving your bone density.

 

Review the links below for some practical alternatives on improving

your bone density naturally.

 

 

 

Related Articles:

 

What You Can do to Prevent Yourself From Shrinking

 

Keep Osteoporosis Away With Diet and Exercise

 

If You Have Osteoporosis, Wheat May be Responsible