fosamax lawsuit
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Fosamax was approved for sale in September 1995 and belongs to a family of drugs known as bisphosphonates. These drugs commonly are prescribed for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.

Fosamax has been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or "dead jaw," a condition where the jaw bone dies, leading to extreme pain and exposed bone in the mouth.

Fosamax is manufactured by Merck, the same company responsible for Vioxx, the dangerous arthritis drug that was removed from the market in 2004.

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osteonecrosis fosamax side effects

The connection between Fosamax and osteonecrosis of the jaw was noticed as early as 2001. Several recent studies published in medical journals confirm the connection between Fosamax and osteonecrosis.

Dr. Salvatore Ruggiero reviewed medical records of 63 patients who developed osteonecrosis of the jaw between February 2001 and November 2003. Every one of these patients had taken bisphosphonates for at least one year prior to developing the serious conditions.

The label for Fosamax minimizes the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients taking the drug. The instructions provided to doctors prescribing Fosamax does not mention osteonecrosis of the jaw in the section entitled "Warnings," instead listing it under a separate section labeled "Precautions."

The risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw continues long after the patient stop taking Fosamax. Some estimates indicate the risk can continue for as long as ten years once a patients discontinues use of Fosamax.

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