An article in the January 1, 2009 New England Journal of Medicine links Fosamax with the development of Esophageal cancer.
Fosamax is a popular osteoporosis drug that is linked to severe musculoskeletal pain (pain of the joints, muscles, and/or bones), as well as a serious bone disease called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), also known as “dead jaw” and “fossy jaw”. Now, in a January 2009 article in the New England Journal of Medicine, Fosamax has been linked with the development of Esophageal cancer. If you or a loved one developed Esophageal cancer as a result of the use of Fosamax contact one of our Fosamax cancer lawyers immediately because you may have valuable legal rights.
What is Fosamax?
Fosamax is used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, osteitis deformans (“Paget’s disease of bone”), bone metastasis (with or without hypercalcaemia), multiple myeloma, osteogenesis imperfecta and other conditions that feature bone fragility.
Fosamax is from a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that inhibit the action of bone cells called osteoclasts. This inhibition of osteoclast activity prevents the resorption of bone. Bone resorption is the process by which osteoclasts break down bone.
Fosamax and Dead Jaw Bone Disease
An article on the association between Fosamax and ONJ was first published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 2005, which prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review the safety of Fosamax and other drugs in its class (bisphosphonate drugs).
Fosamax and Severe Muscle Pain
On January 7, 2008, the FDA warned that Fosamax had been linked to severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and muscle (musculoskeletal) pain. The agency advised doctors and patients to be aware of this side effect, and to discontinue Fosamax use should it occur.
Fosamax and Esophageal cancer
From October 1995 through mid-May 2008, the FDA received reports of 23 patients with the diagnosis of Esophageal cancer. Of the 23 patients, 18 (78%) were women. The average time from start of Fosamax to the diagnosis of Esophagel cancer was 2.1 years. If you or a loved one developed Espohagel cancer as a result of the use of Fosamax contact one of our Fosamax cancer lawyers immediately because you may have valuable legal rights.
