- Medical Malpractice
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- Artificial Hip Implants − Zimmer Durom Cup
- Avandia
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- Bisphosphonate Litigation
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- Hormone Replacement Drugs
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- Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Lead
- Mentor ObTape Vaginal Sling
- Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch
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- Yasmin Birth Control
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Bisphosphonate Litigation
Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, individuals with Paget’s disease (a progressive bone disease), and cancer patients whose disease has spread or metastasized to their bones. These drugs increase bone density by slowing the body’s natural turnover of bone cells. The drugs are usually taken in pill form by osteoporosis patients, and in higher doses intravenously by cancer patients.
Popular bisphosphonate drugs:
- Fosamax (alendronate) – osteoporosis drug manufactured by Merck that was approved by the FDA in 1995 and has been used by nearly 10 million women and men since then. More than 2,400 Fosamax patients have reported incidences of jaw bone death (osteonecrosis) since 2001.
- Actonel (risedronate sodium) – currently marketed in over 90 countries through The Alliance for Better Bone Health, a partnership between Sanofi-Aventis and Procter & Gamble, to osteoporosis patients; comes in daily and weekly doses.
- Boniva (ibandronate sodium) – manufactured and marketed by Roche Laboratories and Glaxo SmithKline for osteoporosis patients. Boniva was introduced in 2005 and is unique in that the medication is taken only once per month.
- Didronel (etidronate disodium) – manufactured by OSG Norwich Pharmaceuticals and distributed by Procter & Gamble and approved for treatment of patients with Paget’s disaease.
- Aredia (pamidronate disodium) and Zometa (zoledronic acid) – both manufactured by Novartis, used exclusively for cancer patients and delivered intravenously.
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Skelid (tiludronate disodium) – manufactured in France by Sanofi-Synthelabo for the treatment of cancer patients.
Bisphosphonate drugs linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw
Bisphosphonate drugs have been associated with a serious condition causing jaw bone death, also referred to as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). This medical condition results in chronic pain and disfigurement and is very difficult to treat. Symptoms of jaw osteonecrosis include jaw pain, toothache, exposed bone, pain and swelling in the jaw, soft tissue infection, altered sensation, numbness, and loosening of the teeth. The jaw is particularly susceptible to this condition since it absorbs ten times more of the bisphosphonate than other bones in the body. Bisphosphonates accumulate in the bones and may remain in the bony tissues for perhaps up to twelve years after discontinuation. Patients undergoing dental procedures and those who are simultaneously using corticosteroids are at particular risk for developing jaw osteonecrosis. Also, patients should inform their dentist about using bisphosphonate drugs prior to any tooth extractions, dental implants, etc.
Please contact the law firm of Alley, Clark & Greiwe immediately if you or someone you love have sufffered a permanent injury from taking a bisphosphonate drug.
Helpful Consumer Links:
Click here to read ABC News story on link between Fosamax and Esophageal Cancer
Click here to view FDA Alert dated 1/7/08 on Bisphosphonates
Click here to view FDA Alert on Bisphosphonates