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Fosamax

Fosamax is an oral biphosphonate prescribed to millions of osteoporosis sufferers over the years. It is supposed to increase bone density by slowing down the body’s process of bone breakdown over time.

However, researchers have now found that this drug can actually cause bones to weaken and crumble.

Worse yet, Merck, the manufacturer of this drug, pushed hard for this medication to be prescribed to as large a population as possible. Osteopenia, a milder predecessor of osteoporosis, formerly went mostly without treatment. There is little evidence that this less severe condition requires formal management. But once Fosamax was introduced to the market, doctors were pressured to prescribe it for osteopenia as well.

Over time it was noted that a select group of jaw surgery patients were having severe issues with healing. Further investigation revealed one common thread: All of these patients had been treated with at least one of a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. About 10% were osteoporosis patients who had taken an oral bisphosphonate, mainly Fosamax.

Osteonecrosis, bone death of the jaw (ONJ) is a risk of all bisphosphonates. These drugs remain in bone indefinitely. It is speculated that long-term use can upset the delicate balance between cells that put calcium in bone and cells that take calcium away. An FDA review concluded that all bisphosphonate labels should mention osteonecrosis.

While the manufacturers of Fosamax did add a warning, once pressured to do so, many patients suffered severe issues before that time. It is possible for the company to face legal repercussions for their having not been forthcoming with this vital information.

If you or a loved one has been prescribed Fosamax and experienced serious side effects, contact us today to determine if you may have a personal injury claim.

Category: 
Drugs
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    In recent years, millions of American men have been prescribed testosterone replacement drugs to combat these typical signs of aging. In fact, the companies that make these “Low-T” drugs use aggressive marketing to encourage patients and doctors to continue using these products that can sometimes have dangerous side effects.

  • Transvaginal Mesh

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  • Trasylol

    Trasylol (aprotinin) is a drug that was widely used in surgery to help reduce bleeding. This drug was injected during complex surgery, such as heart and liver surgery, with the main effect of the slowing down of fibrinolysis, the process by which blood clots break down. The goal was to reduce the need for blood transfusions and organ damage due to hypotension.

  • Viagra

    Viagra and the related drug Revatio (sildenafil), both formulated and sold by the drug company Pfizer, are used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary hypertension. Millions of men have utilized these medications to remedy these conditions and improve their day-to-day quality of life.

  • Vioxx

    Vioxx (rofecoxib) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was prescribed and marketed for osteoarthritis, acute pain, and dysmenorrhea. Throughout its time on the market, millions of people around the world were prescribed this medication.

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    Following the news that Vioxx carries a markedly high risk of cardiovascular incidents and heart disease, all other NSAIDs came under scrutiny as well. While Vioxx was pulled from the market, Voltaren and many other NSAIDs continue to be sold and prescribed. However, it may be that Volatern carries as high a risk of heart attack or stroke as Vioxx.

  • Xarelto

    Xarelto is a blood-thinning drug which is used to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation or “AFib” (irregular heartbeat) or patients who are recovering from certain surgical operations.

  • Zofran

    Zofran (ondansetron) and its dissolvable sister drug Zuplenz are drugs originally developed to treat nausea in cancer patients. GlaxoSmithKline, the drug company responsible for Zofran, in an effort to capitalize on another segment of the market, encouraged the prescription of this medication for nausea in pregnant women.

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    Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that is widely prescribed in the United States. As of 2013, over 40 million Americans were prescribed Zoloft. It is primarily prescribed for major depressive disorder but can also be used for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, in both adults and children.

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    Some patients claim that Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zyprexa, did not properly warn patients about the potential side effects that can occur while taking this medication. It has been alleged that Zyprexa can actually cause diabetes and other illnesses. At the very least it appears that the drug can lead to non-trivial hyperglycemia in patients that already have diabetes.