Osteoporosis Drugs Causing Severe Bone Deterioration In Patients
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Osteoporosis drugs, prescribed to thwart bone loss, are causing jawbones in women to deteriorate, a new study says. The University of British Columbia’s study states that these drugs triple the risk of bone necrosis, which leads to disfigurement and incapacitating pain.But Fosamax is a bisphosphonate, which is a class of drug used by millions of women to help prevent bone fractures. The new study said those drugs triple to risk of avascular or bone necrosis.
Normally, bone necrosis affects approximately one in 20,000 people. But according to the new study, it's happening to more women who are taking bisphosphonates.
Bisphosphonates slow down the formation of cells called osteoclasts, which eat away old bone. "By inhibiting what eats bone away, some how the blood vessels to the joint, once again, are pinched off leading to avascular necrosis," said orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dean Sotereanos.
The study found that in the shoulder, hip and knee joints of nearly 90,000 women who take bisphosphonates. Prior studies found it in the jaws.
"You can't go in and take this bone out, because it will make the problem worse," said oral surgeon Dr. Joseph Cillo.
Those taking the drugs should see their doctors right away. About 190 million prescriptions have been written for the drugs worldwide. What you and your doctor must do is determine whether the benefit of taking drugs like Fosamax is worth the risk of severe pain and immobility from bone necrosis.
Posted in Dangerous Drugs • Fosamax • Bisphosphonates Drug Class • Fosamax & ONJ