Fosamax is meant to keep your bones strong (prevent osteoporosis), but it  may do just the opposite.

It could potentially be the latest in legal trouble for the drug company Merck, which is still reeling from the Vioxx scandal. Michael Schwartz, an oral surgeon in Baltimore says most doctors aren’t even aware of the problems Fosamax can cause. It belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, which also include the pills Actonel and Boniva and the IV drugs Aredia and Zometa, which are typically used in cancer patients.

Sheldon Gottesfeld has an area of his jaw that’s literally dead. It’s called osteonecrosis of the jaw and after 11 years after being successfully treated for leukemia, Sheldon’s losing his teeth. Not from cancer, but his doctor believe from taking Fosomax and Zomata as a preventative measure. For patients like Sheldon, a simple tooth extraction can shatter the jaw. Reconstructive surgery can be disfiguring and may not heal. Sheldon is worried, he might need two teeth pulled.

Merck added a warning to its U.S. labels at the request of the FDA. That label is actually a 22-page document which is given to pharmacies that dispense Fosamax. The item on osteonecrosis of the jaw is buried in the middle of page 13. Sheldon stopped taking Fosamax and Zomata, but doctors say they can stay in the body for up to 10 years. So the worst many not be over. Drugs like Fosamax are effective against osteoporosis, so for now no one is suggesting you stop taking them. Complications like dead jaw are considered rare, but, expect to hear more about the problem as doctors and patients become more aware of this condition, as well as a class action lawsuit.


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