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Study links Fosamax with potentially fatal heart risk |
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Wednesday, 29 October 2008 |
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A new study has found that Fosamax and another type of osteoporosis drug can significantly increase a patient’s risk of a serious and potentially fatal irregular heartbeat. The study, which was presented at a meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, found that patients taking Fosamax or Zometa were 68% more likely to suffer an irregular heartbeat resulting in hospitalization or death.
Previous research has already linked Fosamax with a condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), also known as jaw death or jaw necrosis. Patients with this condition may experience a painful decay of jawbone tissue. More that 600 Fosamax lawsuits have been filed by patients who have experienced ONJ.
According to the new study, about one out of every 20 patients in the study suffered an irregular heartbeat while taking Fosamax or Zometa. In the most serious cases, an irregular heartbeat could lead to congestive heart failure, embolism or stroke.
The recent study confirmed the results of a 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which concluded that Fosamax increased the risk of an irregular heartbeat compared with patients taking a placebo. A second Fosamax side effects study published in April 2008 found that patients had double the risk of an irregular heartbeat. |