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Did Merck Hide the Risks of Fosamax?

Merck, maker of osteoporosis drug Fosamax, may have “seriously under reported” the risks of "jawbone death" related to the drug, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. A class-action lawsuit has been filed claiming that Merck knew about the risk of jawbone death but hid it from the public.

"Jawbone death" is associated with the use of a bisphosphonate class of drugs (to which Fosamax belongs).  Also known as Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ), is a serious side effect that destroys the bone in the jaw, and is difficult to treat.

BRONJ was reported by oral surgeons, who noticed the condition among patients treated with intravenous forms of bisphosphonates in 2003. A broader warning of BRONJ was issued for the entire class of drugs in 2005.

Fosamax is prescribed to about 10 million men and women -- mostly postmenopausal women -- each year to help increase bone density, with annual sales of $3 billion. Over 190 million prescriptions for oral bisphosphonate drugs have been dispensed worldwide.

LawyersAndSettlements.com July 19, 2007



Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

BRONJ is becoming so common, as are prescriptions for Fosamax, that dentists are now referring to it as “Fossy Jaw.” Essentially, the condition causes your jaw bone to rot and decay -- quite ironic considering the drugs are primarily taken by people looking to strengthen their bones.

Bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax and Boniva, are problematic because they stay in the bone indefinitely and may upset the cell balance, disrupting the process by which jaws regenerate and remove unhealthy bone.

It’s not surprising that Merck may have known about the risks of Fosamax and intentionally tried to keep them under wraps; they did the same thing with their tragically dangerous painkiller Vioxx.

I warned about the dangers of Fosamax nearly a decade ago, and it still makes no sense to take an osteoporosis drug that can literally kill your jawbone.

What can you do to strengthen your bones safely and naturally?
  • Eat according to your nutritional type. This will ensure that you’re getting enough nutrients for your bones, and will correct your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
  • Consider supplementing with vitamin K, if you are not getting enough from food alone. Vitamin K serves as the biological "glue" that helps plug the calcium into the bone matrix.




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Comment on This Article Community Comments (19)
 
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
Sure they hid the risk. How many articles like this have we read about and all of them pretty well proves merck hids the risk. This is the only way they can servive. They cannot have any hummanity about them at all.

MERCK=Medcinal Evil Represents Chronic Kaos.

 
Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
Replied

Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
No...it's...
 
MOSTLY EVIL RESEARCHERS, CROOKS & KAFKAESQUERS...

Get it straight next time, for your closed book V V quiz.

;-)

Uncle Russ


Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
You know Russ--you just might be right.

 
 
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
Of course Merck hid the risks. in plain site in the drug information sheet that is included with each prescription.  That is if you can see well enough to read it.  Why can't they make those inserts easier to read.  Because they don't want people to actually know what the side effects of the medications are.  They just put the information out there so they can say they complied with the law.

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
 
 
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
Of course they hid the risks!  Just like they hid the risk for VIOXX.  It's OK if a million people die because they'll sell so many drugs before they're finally called out on it that they'll still come out way ahead even after the law suits!

 
ChiroTom5
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 3/2007
ChiroTom5  
Replied

neroli moonstone
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2007
neroli moonstone  
 
Posted On Jul 26, 2007
ok , what about the scenario that they hide the risk factors whilst the drug is making them a bucket load of money , and then one day the FDA decides that it is paying out too much on the pharamaceutical benefit scheme and that the use of fosamax or vioxx is eating too deeply into the federal pharmaceutical rebate budget. So , suddenly what has been hidden is revealed and the public have a FEAR response which is effective as a budget cutting and money saving device at the same time as turning the public off the medication. Just a thought really. I could'nt imagine this sort of thing going on in the pharamceutical political arena could you?? love Dom ox

 
 
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
MERCK HIDE SOMETHING?!

Why I'm just SHOCKED!   SHOCKED, I TELL YOU!

Those saintly, good doing, helping grandmas across busy pedestrian intersections, patriotic, apple (gmo?) pie, freedom loving, fair play, moral, ethical, prudent, frugal, pure as the freshly fallen undriven snow,
happy, baseball loving,  baby kissing (they aren't Roman Catholic Cardinals are they?), vetted, cleared, open minded, charitable, philanthropic, nice, mentoring, viral (call 911, if erection lasts over 4 hours), heros, heroines (hey, want a nickel bag?), upright, holy, truthful, merciful, gracious, nonprofit, pastoral, calm, tranquil (but, he's flat lining!
All Clear!  ZAP),  bunch of honorable white coats?!

Hey, what's the cadaver toe-tag say? "George W. Merck"...

OK, morgue shelf 4-F.


 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
Replied

Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
Yuo know Russ--you just might be right again. I think we all might be shocked a just a bit about those Mid Evil Rambunctiouc Careless Krooks.


annapavlova42
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 2/2007
annapavlova42  
 
Posted On Jul 24, 2007
You said a mouth full, so I will reply with a SCREEM-M-M-M!!!!!!


Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
 
Posted On Jul 25, 2007
Here's another one for the VV quiz book--

M ental E xcruciators R eproducing C hronic K atastrophe

 
 
 
Posted On Jul 26, 2007
Against my better judgement,  I went along with my doctor's recommendation to take Fosamax, and it's a decision I'll always regret.

The pain in my spine was so excruciating, I had to get a cane to help me move around. At first, I did not associate the pain with Fosamax, and my doctor even re-assured that Fosomax ws not the culprit.

After 4 agonizing months, I decided to stop using using Fosomax, ad immediately   the intensity of the pain started to subside, but it never went away completely, and I still have to use a cane.

 
Seasun
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 7/2007
Seasun  
Replied

Sandra60
Novice User Novice User Joined On 9/2006
Sandra60  
 
Posted On Jul 27, 2007

In 2004, the dr i was seeing had me checked and prescribed this stuff.  I bought one month's supply (4 pills) due to having insurance.  The next time i went to fill it, i didn't have the ins anymore and the darn thing cost $79.95. Almost 20 bucks each?  Therefore, i did not fill it.  Boy, am i ever glad i didn't.  Since then, i've learned much better and less expensive ways to increase my bone density.

Here's a tip i learned:  FREE...the best way to prevent hip fractures:
Don't fall.  When we get older, our sense of balance seems to just go away.  To improve your balance, stand on one leg near a wall and hold it as long as you can.  Then, the other.  The stork posture of yoga is a good way to go.  It takes practice, but is one of the best ways to prevent those nasty falls we all seem to have occassionally.

Thank you all for your good advice, humor, satire and the gawdawful puns.


 
 
 
 
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