Dangerous Drug Lawyer
Fosamax
Columbus, Ohio
Fosamax, manufactured and marketed by Merck, is a brand name for alendronate, a drug designed to increase bone density in patients suffering from or prone to osteoporosis. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995, Fosamax and similar bisphosphonate medications such as Actonel, Bomiva, Zometa, Dodronel, and Aredia have been linked with serious side effects that can cause painful and disabling side effects in patients.
Side effects of Fosamax
One of the most common and serious conditions associated with the use of Fosamax is jaw osteonecrosis, sometimes referred to as 'dead jaw' or 'jaw death.' This condition causes the bone of the jaw to become damaged and deteriorate, leaving patients with severe pain, deformities, and other associated health issues. Despite overwhelming evidence of the connection between these drugs and jaw osteonecrosis, the drug maker continues to market and manufacture the medication, denying or down-playing these dangerous side effects. In fact, when the FDA requested in January 2005 that drug maker update its drug labels to include clearer warnings about the osteonecrosis dangers, the labeling changes were not implemented until the following July.
Symptoms of osteonecrosis
The symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw include:
- Swelling
- Pain and stiffness
- Limited range of motion of the jaw
- Loose teeth
- Numbness and heaviness
- Poor healing ability in the gums
Since 2001, Fosamax has been linked to over 2,400 reports of osteonecrosis, including decay and jaw death, as well as over 120 other cases of serious and often debilitating pain associated with use of the drug. The risks may even be far greater than these statistics indicate, as experts estimate that as much as 90% of serious drug side effects go unreported.
Legal help
If you or someone you love developed osteonecrosis of the jaw or any of the other medical conditions described above while taking Fosamax or other bisphosphonate medications, it is important that you seek the advice of an experienced pharmaceutical attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights. For counsel in Ohio, call or email Robert W. Kerpsack, Co., L.P.A., to schedule your free personal consultation.
If you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, contact a personal injury lawyer at Robert W. Kerpsack Co., L.P.A. at (614) 766-2000 in Columbus, Ohio or toll free (800) 944-0755 or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
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