Fosamax is a prescription pharmaceutical drug that is intended to treat bone diseases, including osteoporosis and osteitis deformans (Paget’s disease). However, studies have shown that Fosamax also causes a number of serious side effects, including osteonecrosis of the jaw, femur fracture, headache, nausea, and rashes.

Because the manufacturer of Fosamax, Merck & Co., failed to properly inform patients and physicians of these side effects, patients who have been injured by Fosamax may be entitled to receive compensation for their injures.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Patients prescribed Fosamax face the risk of developing a serious condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis, aseptic necrosis, ischemic necrosis) is a type of bone disease that affects approximately 10,000 to 20,000 Americans each year. It commonly results from a temporary or permanent loss of blood flow to the bones. Without an adequate supply of blood, bone tissue cannot survive and will eventually die and lead to joint collapse.

Fosamax users suffering from ONJ are susceptible to severe infections that can cause facial discomfort, numbness or extreme pain. Swelling of the gums and poor gum health can also be caused as a result of ONJ.

Symptoms of Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis typically begins with a number of painful symptoms that lead a sufferer to consult an orthopaedist, a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. The most common osteonecrosis symptom is severe and chronic joint pain that is not unlike that suffered by arthritics. Although the time period between the initial onset of joint pain and the loss of joint functionality varies from one osteonecrosis sufferer to the next, it usually takes no longer than one year.

Diagnosing Osteonecrosis

To diagnose osteonecrosis, a complete physical examination is performed, in addition to an evaluation of a patient's medical history. Any number of bone imaging techniques (X ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, bone scan) are eventually employed in order to determine whether signs of osteonecrosis are present.

In addition to bone imaging techniques and physical functionality examinations, an orthopaedist may also request the surgical biopsy of bone tissue to determine whether it is receiving an adequate supply of blood.

Fosamax Femur Fractures

Besides causing osteonecrosis, Fosamax is believed to lead to femur fractures in long-term users of the medication. An increasing number of doctors are reporting that patients taking Fosamax for five years or longer are experiencing spontaneous fractures of the femur. These injuries are alarming due to the fact that the femur is one of the strongest bones in the body and they are breaking during relatively low-stress activities. Although Merck &Co. was informed of this problem in 2008, the company did not add femur fractures to the list of Fosamax side effects until 16 months later, potentially placing many additional patients at risk.

Fosamax Lawsuits

Merck & Co. faces litigation in regards to injuries caused as a result of using Fosamax. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is an incredibly dangerous bone disease that can cause a great deal of pain in addition to facial deformities that result from death of the jawbone.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of using Fosamax, you may be entitled to receive compensation from Merck & Co. Drug manufacturers are required by law to ensure that their products are safe and effective before introducing them to the marketplace for general consumption. Failure to adequately inform consumers of the risks associated with use of their drugs can be viewed as negligent and grounds for personal injury litigation. The Law Offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz boast some of the most experienced defective drug lawyers in the United States. Contact the defective drug attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz today at (877) 810 4808 to learn more about your rights as a Fosamax and osteonecrosis injury victim.