Manufactured by Merck & Co., Fosamax is typically prescribed to post-menopausal women to treat or prevent osteoporosis. Fosamax is also frequently used in the management of advanced cancer. Unfortunately, this popular drug has been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a rare and serious condition that causes the jaw bone to rot and die. If you develop a bone or jaw complication related to the use of this drug, the Fosamax injury attorneys at our Phoenix, Arizona firm can help you understand your legal rights.
With more than 22 million prescriptions in the last year alone, Fosamax is an extremely popular medication belonging to a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. Because bisphosphonates are not metabolized by the body, however, the drug can persist in bone in high concentrations for months and sometimes years after the drug is stopped, putting patients at an increased risk for the development of ONJ.
Although the disease is also linked to other bisphosphonates, a recent FDA safety review found a much higher incidence of ONJ with Mercks Fosamax than other leading medications in this drug class. An investigation has also revealed that Merck, the makers of another defective drug, Vioxx, delayed updating the Fosamax label to accurately inform consumers of the risk of developing ONJ.
Fosamax and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a disfiguring condition that causes jaw bone loss, or break down. Among individuals using Fosamax, ONJ commonly develops after minor dental surgery that causes the bone to be exposed. ONJ can cause severe infections and symptoms may include:
Facial pain
Numbness or altered sensation
Gum swelling
Drainage
Tooth loss
Poor healing of the gums
To diagnose osteonecrosis of the jaw, doctors may use X-rays or tests for infection. Treatments for osteonecrosis of the jaw may include long-term antibiotic use, oral rinses, and removable mouth appliances. Minor dental work may be necessary to remove injured tissue and reduce sharp edges of the bone, but more invasive surgery is typically avoided because it may make the condition worse. Unfortunately for Fosamax injury victims, ONJ is extremely resistant to even the most aggressive treatments.
Fosamax Class Action Lawyers
At Phillips Law Group, our Fosamax injury attorneys help victims in Phoenix and throughout Arizona who have developed ONJ after using this dangerous drug. Our firm is committed to providing efficient and effective Fosamax injury representation. Contact our Fosamax attorneys today for a free evaluation of your Fosamax case from any Phoenix injury lawyer at our firm.
Available 24/7