Home » Health and Fitness Articles » Fosamax and Other Bisphosphonates Linked to Femur Fractures by British Journal of Medical Practitioners
Fosamax and Other Bisphosphonates Linked to Femur Fractures by British Journal of Medical Practitioners
Fosamax and other bisphosphonates are being investigated in relation to atypical femoral fracture injuries in long-term users.
CLEVELAND, OH, August 05, 2011 /Health and Fitness PR News/ -- A British Journal of Medical Practitioners study revealed that greater than 55% of studied patients who experienced femoral fracture injuries were long term users of Fosamax or other Bisphosphonates, averaging 8.5 years of use. The study revealed that the mineral/matrix ratio was significantly reduced in bisphosphonate users by 28% and the crystallinity of the bone was significantly reduced by 33%*. Researches postulated that, "This suggested suppression of bone turnover, resulting in a loss of heterogeneity of the tissue properties, which may be a contributing factor to the risk of atypical fractures that we are starting to see. It is believed that long-term alendronate administration may inhibit normal repair of microdamage arising from severe suppression of bone turnover (SSBT), which, in turn, results in accumulation of microdamage.*"
The study shows that long-term use of alendronates such as Fosamax creates a situation where the femoral shaft becomes susceptible to low energy fractures not typically seen in the femur. These Fosamax femur fractures are not usually seen absent a large impact or trauma such as a car accident or a fall from a great height. Atypical femoral fracture injuries are seen when long-term users of Fosamax and other bisphosphonates are walking, standing, going up or down stairs or several other routine daily activities. Based on this study, a number of Fosamax users are filing Fosamax femur fracture lawsuits.
The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) has also run a similar study into bisphosphonate users and atypical femur fractures with similar results. While the percentage of femoral fractures was not as high in the JAMA study, there was still a direct correlation between long-term (great than 5 years) Fosamax or bisphosphonate use and atypical femoral fracture injuries**.
The osteoporosis prescription drug Fosamax (alendronate sodium) has been prescribed to millions of people in the United States to strengthen bones. Fosamax was approved by the FDA in 1995 for treatment of osteoporosis. Many bisphosphonate-class drug users are given the drug for many years, and studies now suggest that long-term use of osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax may increase the risk of low-energy bone fractures*. These atypical Fosamax bone break injuries commonly involve the thigh bone (or "femur").
While Fosamax is prescribed to treat osteoporosis and reduce the risk of hip fractures and long bone fractures, the mechanism of action, which prevents bone "turn-over" or resorption, may render Fosamax users more vulnerable to certain types of fractures as Fosamax side effects*. In addition to the atypical femur fractures associated with Fosamax, users have also reported deterioration of the bone in the jaw, hip, knees and shoulders. Contact a Fosamax lawsuit injury lawyer today.
Spangenberg Shibley & Liber is currently investigating Fosamax Lawsuits. For more information on Fosamax Lawsuits visit www.my-fosamax-lawsuit.com today.
* http://www.bjmp.org/content/bisphosphonates-and-atypical-femur-fractures
** http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/305/8/783
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