Fosamax Lawsuit Details

Recent studies suggest a link between Fosamax® and a serious bone disease called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) - also known as “Jaw Death” or “Dead Jaw.”

Take Action Today. A Qualified and Dedicated Fosamax® Litigation Attorney is standing by to Fight for your Legal Rights.

Fosamax® is a prescription medication produced and marketed by pharmaceutical icon Merck & Co., Inc. for the treatment of bone loss typically associated with osteoporosis and Paget’s disease. First marketed in 1994, Fosamax® is the brand name for “Alendronate Sodium;” one of several drugs classified as bisphosphonates. The remarkable commercial success of Fosamax® is documented by the 22 million prescriptions written for it last year. It is Merck’s second-best selling pharmaceutical, generating sales of $3.19 billion in 2005.

In a tragic twist of irony, however, the drug now appears to be attacking the very patients drawn to it by the promise of relief. A growing body of evidence suggests that bisphosphonate compounds like Fosamax® restrict blood flow to the bone and cause Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ); a progressively debilitating condition that results in actual bone death. Also known as “Dead Jaw Syndrome,” ONJ is associated with minor jaw trauma such as tooth extractions that do not heal properly, typically leading to exposure of the bone. Serious complications often follow this exposure including extreme pain, virulent infections, tooth loss and disfigurement. There is no known cure for ONJ. Its damage is irreversible and usually requires long-term antibiotic therapy. Rarely, surgical removal of dead and dying bone tissue has been employed, but this may intensify rather than remove the condition.

One disconcerting fact about Fosamax® is that there is evidence that discontinuing its use may not significantly decrease the risk of ONJ. Like other bisphosphonates, Fosamax® is metabolized very slowly by the system and may remain in the body for ten years or more— prolonging the risk of ONJ long after the patient stops using it. Experts urge patients using Fosamax® and other bisphosphonates to avoid tooth extractions and other major dental work, if possible, until the medications have been discontinued.

In 2004, the FDA issued a written warning to Merck about false and misleading statements about Fosamax® in some of its advertising and marketing materials, and demanded removal of all misleading statements. The FDA also urged Merck to make certain Fosamax® labeling changes, and in fact, Merck did make some labeling changes, but not until more than six months after the FDA communication—and there remains some question as to whether or not the changes were adequate. Today, all products containing Fosamax® include a warning that ONJ has been reported in patients taking bisphosphonates.

If you or someone you know has used Fosamax®, it is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible. You should consider deferring any serious dental work until you have had an opportunity to consult with your doctor about the possible ONJ risks involved. If you have in fact been injured and/or have been diagnosed with ONJ as the result of using Fosamax®, you are not alone. You have legal rights and a qualified Fosamax® lawyer, as provided on this site, is standing by to help. As all legal claims are subject to time limits, however, you may risk forfeiture of your right to financial compensation if you delay. Please call today to arrange for an initial consultation to discuss your specific legal claim and the litigation options available to you.

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