According to studies released earlier this week, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and other antidepressants in the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), appear to weaken bones in elderly people, and could lead to disabling fractures. Together, these drugs account for over 60% of all antidepressant prescriptions in… Read more.
A Canadian law firm has filed a Fosamax class action lawsuit against Merck Frosst Canada, the manufacturer of the popular osteoporosis drug in Canada. The suit was filed because the drug maker failed to adequately warn patients and doctors about the risks of developing decay of the jaw bone. In… Read more.
According to reports published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine, Fosamax side effects could increase the risk of a serious heart problem, known as an atrial fibrillation. The overall risk is small, but experts have indicated that caution should be used by those at risk for an… Read more.
Fosamax side effects increase the risk of a serious dental problem, known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. Lawsuits are pending across the country against the manufacturer, with the first trials scheduled to begin next year. Merck has failed to properly warn about these side effects, which has significantly increased the… Read more.
Fosamax lawsuits are pending in courts across the country for users of the popular osteoporosis drug who have suffered serious jaw side effects. Recently Merck, the maker of Fosamax, announced that they have set aside nearly $50 million dollars to cover the initial defense costs associated with the litigation.
As a result of the long-term effects of Fosamax, women with osteoporosis may not need to continue taking the drug to avoid the risk of fractures. A recent study indicates that after taking Fosamax for five years, the risk of most fractures is no greater if the medication is stopped. … Read more.
While Fosamax is designed to strengthen bones, it actually has the opposite effect on the jaw. Many have questioned why a medication designed to improve bone density and reduce fractures would lead to jaw decay.
Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, continues to minimize the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with their medication. The failure to provide accurate information regarding this Fosamax danger has deprived women of the opportunity to weigh the risks against the benefits and make an informed decision.
In this morning’s Washington Post, a letter to the editor criticized the advertisement of Fosamax on television given the risk of jawbone infections. Ronald S. Brown, a professor of oral diagnosis at the Howard University College of Dentistry, stated:
Although Fosamax was approved by the FDA in 1995, the first reports of jaw bone decay side effects did not surface until early 2005. The reason for this long delay is that the risk of jaw bone deterioration increases with long term use of the medication.
