The New York Times and USA Today are linking the popular osteoporosis drug Fosamax (alendronate) to a painful and potentially disfiguring condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)—also known as dead jaw, jawbone necrosis or jaw death.
Fosamax is a pill prescribed to almost 10 million osteoporosis, cancer, and Paget’s disease patients in order to help fight bone loss.
Millions of unsuspecting Americans may now be at risk for the onset of dead jaw. As a result, the number of Fosamax lawsuits is constantly growing.
The link makes headlines
The link between bone-density drugs like Fosamax, Actonel, Zometa, Actonel, Aredia or Boniva and ONJ made headlines recently in June 2006 New York Times article entitled “Drug for Bones is Newly Linked to Jaw Disease.”
The article stunned many Americans with its news that Fosamax and other bone-strengthening drugs (a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates) commonly prescribed to patients with osteoporosis, advanced cancers, or Paget’s disease may actually cause the jawbone to decay, rot and die.
Fosamax, ONJ and dental work
According to guidelines recently offered by the American Dental Association (ADA), patients who are diagnosed with ONJ may initially seek a dentist’s help for pain that mimics or resembles other dental and gum problems.
Fosamax and other bone-strengthening drugs may actually cause the jawbone to decay, rot and die.
A number of Fosamax users who have developed jaw necrosis and who say they were not properly warned of these serious side effects are now seeking the advice of knowledgeable Fosamax attorneys to help get any compensation that the law may allow for their ordeals.
Symptoms of ONJ often develop only after a dentist has performed a routine dental procedure.
These are some of the symptoms of ONJ:
• Pain or numbness in the mouth
or jaw
• Oral swelling, infection or drainage
• Poor gum healing after dental work
• Tooth loosening or loss
• Exposed bone in the mouth
If you or someone you love have taken Fosamax or another bone-strengthening medication such as Actonel, Zometa, Aredia, or Boniva and been diagnosed with jaw necrosis, call the experienced team of Fosamax attorneys at Sam Levine, toll-free at (888) 404-LAWYER or fill out our online contact form.
