Women Taking Fosamax Advised to Have Regular Femur Scans
Presentations given at the recent Radiological Society of North America’s 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting in Chicago yielded an important caution to women over 60 who take bisphosphonates like Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis: they should have their femurs (thigh bones) screened regularly in order to detect bone weakness, which signals the possibility of an atypical fracture similar to those that have been occurring in patients who have been taking the medication long-term.
Many people are searching for alternatives to Fosamax to treat their osteoporosis, since the drug, manufactured by Merck, is thought to cause atypical femur fractures and jawbone death in patients who take it for extended periods of time. Those for whom a drug like Fosamax may be the only solution to keeping bone loss at bay should protect themselves from the severe side effects the drug might cause. Some patients have sued Merck for injuries they’ve sustained while taking Fosamax.
Women Over 60 and Those of Asian Ancestry at Greatest Risk
Based on radiology reports, the presentations showed that women over the age of 60, and a disproportionate number of younger Asian women had a greater chance of experiencing an atypical femur fracture if they had been taking a bisphosphonate drug like Fosamax for three years or longer.
Dr. Susie Y. Huang of the Kaiser Permanente Group in San Francisco looked at radiology and medical reports of over 2,800 patients with atypical femur fractures and found that the greatest incidence of femur and hip fractures occurred in women aged 60 and older, while the younger women who experienced fractures were “disproportionately Asian” and had been exposed to bisphosphonates for longer periods of time.
Dr. Zehara Rosenberg of New York University Radiology Associates in Manhattan presented results of 200 radiology reports of asymptomatic patients (93 females and seven males with an average age of 70) who had all been taking bisphosphonates for at least three years. Her findings showed that two percent of her patients had incomplete femoral fractures. Had there been no scans taken, it is possible the patients would have continued to take the drugs and experienced a full femoral break. The patients who showed the partial breaks had been taking bisphosphonates for eight years. “A large percentage of these patients should not have been on bisphosphonates in the first place,” Dr. Rosenberg said. While she believes the benefits of the drugs outweigh the risks, she did suggest that “they be prescribed more judiciously and that patients [be] monitored more carefully.” Based on her findings, Dr. Rosenberg and her colleagues plan to administer bone scans annually to patients at risk of fractures.
There Are Alternatives to Fosamax
Recent studies have shown that proper diet and exercise can work to strengthen bones. If you feel you are at risk for developing osteoporosis, the best course of action is to speak to a physician about which treatments are appropriate for your needs. In some cases, lifestyle modifications can help, but in others, medication might be necessary. Only a medical professional is capable of making that determination.
RLG Represents Injured Fosamax Users
If you have been taking Fosamax for an extended period of time, and have suffered a femur fracture, it could be because of the medication, and you may be eligible for compensation by a femur fracture lawsuit against Merck. The lawyers at the Rottenstein Law Group can help. Our Fosamax lawyers have over 25 years of collective experience advocating for clients in consumer product injury and mass tort cases. Please fill out our contact form or call us at 1-877-332-2347, and one of our lawyers will be in touch.
For more information on whether you have grounds to file a Fosamax lawsuit, download our free brochure.
