Studies Show Trending Femur Fractures Possibly Linked to Fosamax

 

Fosamax, which has been distributed and manufactured by Merk & Co., is  a member of a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. Fosamax is prescribed for the treatment of the symptoms of osteoporosis, typically in women after menopause. It is designed to reduce the chance of having a hip or spinal fracture, to increase bone mass in people with osteoporosis, and to treat other bone diseases such as Paget's disease.

 

A recent survey of on Fosamax femur fractures shows that there may be a new pattern arising when it comes down to prolonged Fosamax use and these types of femur fractures.  These types of fractures that these surveys are referring to are what are called atypical fractures.. These fractures are subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fractures and are called "atypical" because they commonly result from very low-energy impacts, such as the common act of stepping down stairs or walking long distances. The femur is one of the strongest bones in the body and should not fracture as a result of a low impact stress.

 

Also in a case study which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) stated that elderly women where most prone to these types of atypical fractures. The study goes on to say that these women had taken Fosamax for over 5 years for their osteoporosis medication and that they were over 200% more likely to suffer a femur fracture. Studies like this one had prompted the FDA to investigate the possible link between fosamax and femur fractures.

 

The FDA has already issued a warning about Fosamax and this potential side effect which needs to be discussed about by a patient and doctor before the doctor can prescribe Fosamax. In September 2011, an advisory panel to the FDA convened to assess Fosamax dangers. The panel voted 17 to 6 in favor of changing the labeling to include a Fosamax warning to inform consumers of possible Fosamax problems associated with long-term use.  Many panelists intimated that the updated Fosamax warning label should specify how often users need to visit their doctors and be re-evaluated to determine whether they need to continue taking the drug  .

 

 

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