Doctors have reported that patients taking the bisphosphonate drug Fosamax may be at an increased risk of developing a painful condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw, also known as  ONJ, jaw necrosis or jaw death.

While all patients may be at risk of experiencing this serious form of Fosamax side effects, researchers have found that cancer patients taking the drug may be at an even higher risk. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that 6-10% of cancer patients taking Fosamax may develop osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Out of all of the patients involved in the study who had jaw necrosis, 388 were cancer patients, compared with only 15 with osteoporosis and 3 with Paget’s disease.
 

Higher concentration of Fosamax in cancer patients 

One reason why a higher percentage of cancer patients develops osteonecrosis of the jaw compared to those with other conditions may be the way in which the two groups are treated with Fosamax.

While most patients with osteoporosis or Paget’s disease receive the bisphosphonate drug orally, many cancer patients are given Fosamax through intravenous injection. As a result, they receive a much higher concentration of the drug, which may increase their risk of suffering Fosamax side effects.
 

Lawsuits focus on Fosamax "inadequate" warning label 

Although Merck was advised by the Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to issue a Fosamax warning, the drug's patient information sheet still contains no warning about the potential risk of jaw necrosis. Many patients who have taken the drug have contacted Fosamax attorneys about filing a lawsuit against Merck, claiming that the company failed to adequately warn them about the risk of Fosamax side effects.

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