Fosamax Lawyer and Attorneys

Fosamax Lawyer

Nearly 10 million people have taken the prescription medication Fosamax, an oral bisphosphonate drug manufactured by the pharmaceutical giant Merck that is primarily used to help protect bones damaged by osteoporosis and Paget's disease. Tragically for these innocent consumers, however, recent studies have linked the drug to a devastating condition called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) or Dead Jaw Syndrome.

Fosamax side effects and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

ONJ keeps the jawbones of patients from healing properly after routine dental procedures, and in extreme cases caused jawbones to rot and die. Several independent studies discovered that a number patients taking Fosamax developed this dangerous and debilitating condition, despite Merck's claims of safety.

Some of the more common Fosamax side effects include upset stomach, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, or severe constipation.  There are also reports of severe esophageal trauma and ulceration that can require extensive hospitalization to repair.

Since 2001, more than 2,400 people have reported cases of jaw bone death due to bone-protecting medications like Fosamax. Furthermore, 120 people developed bone, joint, and muscle problems so severe that they were left crippled and forced to depend on walkers, canes, crutches, and wheelchairs. ONJ can also cause other dental problems such as swelling gums, loosening of the teeth, and severe infections that often require extensive and expensive antibiotics or surgical treatment.

History of Fosamax (Alendronate Sodium bisphosphonate)

Alendronate sodium is the chemical name for Fosamax, a prescription medication in the family of drugs called bisphosphonates that were first used 15 years ago to treat bone density loss in osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and cancer patients. The Food and Drug Administration approved Merck's Fosamax to prevent and treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women in 1995, and it also proved useful in managing cancers that had metastasized into various bones around the body where they could potentially cause fractures. Common cancers that grow into bone include lung cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and prostrate cancer.

In response to mounting pressure from doctors and patient's rights activists along with a study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons that discovered a connection between Fosamax and ONJ, the FDA and Merck issued a warning to health care professionals on September 24, 2004. Merck has been accused of intentionally misleading the public about the dangers of the drug and has been criticised for waiting so long before taking action. On April 13, 2006, lawyers in Florida filed a lawsuit in federal court on the grounds that Fosamax is defective due to lack of warning of potential dangers of side effects such as ONJ.

Fosamax Lawyers help victims of the side effects such as Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ)

Powerful drug companies have an obligation and a duty to warn consumers of dangerous side effects in a timely manner. When drug makers like Merck fail to protect consumer safety, countless victims pay the price. If you or a loved one developed ONJ due to Fosamax use, you have the right to take a stand and hold these companies accountable for the pain and suffering caused by negligence or oversight. Don't let restrictive statutes of limitations expire before you speak with a dedicated and experienced defective drug attorney who can help you secure the compensation that you deserve. Contact a Fosamax lawyer who understands your plight today.

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