Home » Fosamax

Receive a free case review.

Fosamax

What is Fosamax?

Fosamax, a medication produced by Merck, is typically prescribed to treatFosamax osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions. Known generically as alendronate, Fosamax may be taken alone or in unison with vitamin D, in which case the prescription is called "Fosamax plus D."

Uses for Fosamax

The primary use for Fosamax and generic alternatives is to prevent and treat osteoporosis in both women and men. In addition to treating osteoporosis, Fosamax is also commonly used to treat Paget's disease (osteitis deformans), a chronic condition marked by bone deformity, weakness and susceptibility to fractures. As with osteoporosis, most Paget's disease patients are over 40 years old.

Fosamax Side Effects

Related Pages:

Dangerous Drug Alert:

Other Fosamax News:

While Fosamax can be an effective medication for those with chronic bone conditions, Fosamax does have some potentially serious side effects including:

  • esophageal, gastric (stomach) and/or intestinal ulcers
  • skin rash, which can rarely lead to the fatal Stevens-Johnson syndrome (in which layers of the skin separate)
  • eye problems, typically resulting in inflammation of some layer of the eye tissue
  • joint and bone pain
  • auditory hallucinations (though these are rarely reported)
  • inability to sit, stand or walk for about 30 minutes after taking Fosamax
  • low blood calcium levels
  • impairment of kidney function.

Among the most devastating Fosamax side effects is a serious bone condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), in which the jawbones (the maxilla and/or the mandible) deteriorate due to lack of blood supply.

ONJ and Fosamax Lawsuits
The first complaints linking Fosamax to ONJ came as early as 2000. Then in 2004, the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons published a groundbreaking article outlining the causal relationship between taking Fosamax and developing osteonecrosis of the jaw.

This article, in turn, sparked an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) review of Fosamax, after which the FDA ordered Merck to include a revised warning label about ONJ on the drug. By January 2008, the FDA issued a national Fosamax warning about ONJ, advising medical professionals to get patients off of Fosamax should osteonecrosis of the jaw (or other bone diseases) start to develop.

To date, hundreds of patients have filed Fosamax lawsuits against Merck. While the first class action Fosamax lawsuit will go before a judge at the end of 2008, many more lawsuits are expected to follow.

Consequently, if you or a loved one has developed a bone disease after taking Fosamax, consult a personal injury attorney immediately. ONJ is a serious condition that may require lifelong treatment – starting a Fosamax lawsuit can give you the money you need to treat bone disease resulting from Fosamax use.



Our Areas of Practice

Fosamax Quick Facts

Fosamax Quick Reference Guide
Other Names: 

Boniva
Actonel
Aredia
Zometa

Date Approved:
1995

Manufacturer:
Merck

Status:
Black Box Warning

Approved Uses:
Osteoporosis

Off-Label Uses:
Paget's disease
Osteopenia

Serious Side Effects:
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
Atrial fibrillation
Chest pain
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Pain or burning under the ribs or in the back
New or worsening heartburn
Severe joint, bone, or muscle pain
Jaw pain, numbness, or swelling

Common Misspellings:
Fasomax
Fasamax
Fosomax
Fosimax
Fasimax

Related Topics:
Bisphosphonates
Osteonecrosis
Osteoporosis
Dead Jaw