Fosamax Lawsuits Continue to Pile Up Against Merck

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted August 21, 2008

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According to a report published last week by Lloyds Corporate Litigation Reporter, Merck & Co., Inc. faced approximately 655 Fosamax lawsuits involving over 1,000 plaintiff groups as of June 30, 2008. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of users who have suffered a disfiguring jaw condition, known as osteonecrosis of the jaw, and other side effects related to the oosteoporosis drug.

>>INFORMATION: Fosamax Lawsuits

Fosamax is a popular drug which is prescribed to reduce the risk of bone fractures for those with osteoporosis. It works by killing osteoclast cells which break down bone tissue. However, it has been linked to serious and potentially disfiguring side effects in the jaw, hip, shoulder and knees, known as osteonecrosis or bone decay.

Most of the Fosamax lawsuits which have been filed throughout the United States involve users who have developed osteonecrosis of the jaw, which can develop after dental surgery or any microtrauma to the jaw. It can cause severe pain in the jaw, swelling or infection of the gums, loose teeth and decay of the jaw bone. Open or exposed areas of jaw bone inside the mouth are often experienced, which could lead to a jaw infection requiring surgical removal of portions of dead or decayed jawbone.

Lawsuits have also been filed against Merck by users who have developed osteonecrosis of the hip, osteonecrosis of the shoulder and osteonecrosis of the knee as a side effect of Fosamax.

According to the article in Lloyds Corporate Litigation Reporter, Merck currently has a reserve of $50 million to cover their legal defense costs in the Fosamax litigation. They have publicly stated that they intend to defend all of the Osteonecrosis lawsuits. However, a similar tactic was employed by Merck following their recall of Vioxx. A global Vioxx settlement was eventually reached for $4.85 billion after several cases went to trial.

FOSAMAX ATTORNEYS

The Fosamax attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals who have been diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the jaw, hip, shoulder or knees. For individuals who have experienced potential symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw, potential cases are being investigated and reviewed to determine if potential benefits may be available through a Fosamax lawsuit. To review a potential case, request a free consultation.

2 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Terejimenez says:

    About one year and a half ago, I took Fosamax for 3 months during which I was severely sick and it was me who discovered that Fosamax was causing my pain in the joints, bones, face. I was in physical therapy , visited several doctors from several disciplines and no one could give me a diagnose . I am self employed and was unable to work for several weeks because I was seriously sick. After I decided to stop taking Fosamax I began to recover without any medicines and a week later I was the same I had been before, no pains, no sickness, no fever, no fatigue.

    Posted on October 14, 2008 at 10:05 pm

  • Diana says:

    I took fosomax for three years and stopped when i finally realized that the pain in my muscels began after i started taking fosomax. Before fosomax I had no pain , I exercised at the gym almost every day and I felt great. I was 65 and the doctor put me on fosomax, after a few months I began to have a lot of pain, could hardly get out of bed because of pain, standing or sitting it did not make any difference. When I quit I could hardly walk any more because of the pain in my seat, lower back and legs. I am 71 and my muscels still react with pain if I exercise. I am very angry when I think about having taking fosomax when I felt so great and painless and now i still have times of pain mostly walking. I don’t walk like I should or exercise be cause it iritates my back, hips and leg muscles.

    Posted on June 7, 2009 at 10:59 am

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