Doctors have prescribed Fosamax® to millions of Americans over the years to help improve their bone density and treat the onset of osteoporosis. However, evidence suggests that Fosamax® and its generic equivalent (Alendronate), could be doing more harm than good. Burg Simpson’s Wyoming attorneys are experienced in Fosamax® mass tort litigation.
At the present time, the Food and Drug Administration has yet to issue a nationwide recall of Fosamax® or any of its generic equivalents and the drugs still remain commercially available. However, the FDA has issued several other warnings and consumer safety communications regarding Bisphosphonates, the general class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis and similar diseases.
If you have been injured because of a deadly prescription drug, it is critical that you speak with a Burg Simpson mass tort attorney quickly. Fill out our Free Case Evaluation form now or call our Cody, Wyoming, office at 307-527-7891.
Originally approved in the mid-1990s, Fosamax® is manufactured by Merck & Co. Inc. and belongs to a family of drugs known as bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are routinely prescribed to post-menopausal women and other individuals known to be at high risk of bone density deterioration.
In 2008, the results of an observational study, published in the “Journal of Orthopedic Trauma,” linked Fosamax® to a distinct type of femur fracture. The study of 70 patients experiencing low-energy femur fractures (which occur when someone falls from a standing height or less) revealed that these patients all suffered a similar and distinct straight-line fracture of their femur. Furthermore, of the patients studied, more than a third had been taking Fosamax® for an average of five years or longer.
If you or someone you love has suffered a fracture similar to this, call Burg Simpson in Wyoming at 307-527-7891 and speak to an attorney lawyer as soon as possible.
Since the findings of that 2008 study, it appears that orthopedic doctors and specialists continue to see more and more of these unusual fractures among long-term users of Fosamax®, particularly in women. In February 2011, the results of a Canadian study, published in the online edition of the “Journal of the American Medical Association,” suggested that women who had been on bisphosphonates such as Fosamax® for more than five years, had nearly three times higher risk of these unusual fractures than those with only transient exposure to the drugs.
In addition to causing potential femur fractures, prolonged use of Fosamax® and other bisphosphonates also have been linked to a rare condition that involves the loss, or breakdown, of the jaw bone called osteonecrosis of the jaw or dead jaw. In 2005, the FDA requested that Merck and all other bisphosphonate manufacturers revise the Fosamax® warning label to include a warning that their drugs could be related to the onset of ONJ. Subsequent studies now suggested that Fosamax® and other bisphosphonates also might lead to a breakdown and deterioration of bone tissue in the knee and shoulder joints.
If you have shown signs of any of these types of injuries, call the Burg Simpson Wyoming office soon at 307-527-7891 to get the legal assistance you need.
You May Be Entitled to Damages
If you or someone you know has suffered a painful or sudden fracture after taking Fosamax®, our award-winning Cody Wyoming attorneys can help. We will be happy to review your records to determine whether you have a viable case against Merck & Co. Inc., or any other manufacturer. Complete our Free Case Evaluation Form Here or call us at 307-527-7891 to speak with a trial lawyer before it is too late.
