|
Fosamax Hazardous to the Jaw |
Article Submitted by: Mesriani Law Group
Friday, 11 December 2009
|
Fosamax drug can cause an unfamiliar type of bone disease called osteonecrosis. It is also called as "dead jaw" since it affects that part of the body.
It is a rare form of jaw disease, a rare syndrome wherein the jaw bone tissue dies. The bisphosphonate (Fosamax) contradicts the supposed purpose of the drug itself, which is to strengthen the bones and prevent further bone loss. According to an article done by the Annals of Internal Medicine, the intravenous use of this drug is more dangerous compared to the oral use because of its longer side effect.
Symptoms:
• Jaw/gum pain
• Jaw/gum swelling
• Jaw/gum infection
• Exposed bone
• Loose teeth
• Loss of sensation
• Dramatic gum loss
Furthermore, Fosamax and other related drugs can cause more problems such as bone joint pain, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal distress, etc. The pain the patient experiences is somewhat close arthritis. Alarmingly, there are approximately 10,000 to 20,000 new cases of Osteonecrosis diagnosed in the US.
Sadly, the cause of Osteonecrosis is unknown. There are some researchers who have theorized and said that "bisphosphonate drugs can prevent the formation of new blood vessels within jawbone tissue. Without being able to produce new blood vessels, the natural healing process of jawbone tissue is compromised, allowing for the degradation of bone mass."
Treatment of Osteonecrosis
The diagnosis of the disease is through the use of tomographic or panoramic imaging scans. Sadly, there's no definite surgical treatment or solution for Osteonecrosis of the jaw. Surgery can be fatal and also can lead to patient's inability to eat solid food. There are antibiotic treatments patients can take. Also there are removable apparatus he can use to protect the sections of the jawbone.
Fosamax Lawsuits
So far, there are about 15 Fosamax lawsuits filed against Merck & Co., the second largest US pharmaceutical company who manufactured the drug. One particular lawsuit was filed by a 60-year-old woman from Florida who was using the bisphosphonate drug to treat her osteoporosis. She had more than six years of Fosamax treatments. This caused the woman to develop a severe case of the disease. Her mouth rotted and exposed the jaw bone.
Drug manufacturers have the responsibility to ensure the safety of their products prior to selling them to the consumers. And failure to adequately warn the consumer can be held against them for negligence and grounds for legal action.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
About The Author:
To pursue a claim for jaw injury caused by product defects, get help from our expert personal injury lawyers. Log on to our website and avail of our free case analysis.
To pursue a claim for jaw injury caused by product defects, get help from our expert personal injury lawyers. Log on to our website and avail of our free case analysis.
You are welcome to publish this article free of charge on your website, newsletter, or e-zine, provided:
- You don't change the article in any way
- You include the entire article, including the "about the author" box
- All hyperlinks must remain intact, including email addresses, and the link to ArticleBlast.com at the bottom
- In doing so you agree to indemnify the article's author, and ArticleBlast.com and its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities which arise out of its use
- It is also recommended that you provide a courtesy copy of your publication to the author of the article
