713-928-2355
Menu
  • Home
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury and Dangerous Devices
      • Philips® CPAP Recall
      • Knee Implant Failure
      • Elbow Implant Failure
      • Shoulder Replacement Lawsuit
      • 3M Earplug Lawsuit
    • Drug Injury
      • Purdue Opioid Claim
      • Invokana © and other SGLT2 Drugs Risk of Fournier Gangrene
      • Invokana® Increased Risk of Leg and Foot Amputations
      • Shingles Vaccine Lawsuit Zostavax®
    • Birth Injury
      • Depakote®
      • Dilantin®
      • Paxil®
      • Zofran®
      • Zoloft®
  • Maritime Injury
  • Buffalo Bayou or SJ River Claim
  • About
    • Victor Longo
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Home / Fosamax Connected to Rare Thigh Fractures

Fosamax Connected to Rare Thigh Fractures

  • Home

A new study published on line by the Archives of Internal Medicine said it found a link between bisphosphonate use and atypical thigh fractures. Two of the more commonly used osteoporosis drugs are Fosamax and Actonel. The new study examined the records of 477 patients ages 50 years and older who were treated for certain kinds of broken legs between 1999 and 2010. This study was conducted by doctors at the University Hospitals of Geneva in Switzerland.

Of those 477 records examined, 438 had the typical kinds of fractures caused by falls and other traumatic events. But, of the 39 patients who had atypical fractures (where the thigh snaps apart with minimal or no trauma), 32 had taken a bisphosphonate drug. Though these types of femur fractures are rare, even for someone taking a bisphosphonate drug, the new study associates an increased risk for atypical fractures for people taking Fosamax or Actonel for an extended period of time. The longer a person takes one of these drugs, the risk of a fracture increases according to the study. It concluded: “Atypical femoral fractures were associated with bisphosphonate use; longer duration of treatment resulted in augmented risk”.

The FDA warned patients and health providers about the risk of atypical thigh bone fractures in October of 2010. The FDA required the Warnings and Precautions section of the labels be updated of all bisphosphonate drugs approved for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis. FDA also required a new Limitations of Use statement in the Indications and Usage section of the labels for these drugs.  The FDA stated that risks are increased in people using Fosamax for five years or more.  These fractures, while rare, have been mostly reported in patients taking Fosamax or other drugs of this type. Last year, a panel of experts convened by the FDA expressed concern about atypical fractures, though the panel stopped short of recommending limits on use of the drugs.

The bisphosphonates drugs had $4.2 billion in U.S. sales last year according to IMS Health, a data provider. The FDA listed the bisphosphonates affected by the notice as Fosamax®, Fosamax Plus D®, Actonel®, Actonel with Calcium®, Boniva®, Atelvia®, and Reclast®.

If you took a bisphosphonate and developed a side effect including a bone fracture, call Longo Legal, PLLC toll free at 855-566-4648. We may be able to help.

LikeBox

Phone: 713-928-2355
Fax: 1-713-923-1043
5728 Hood Street
Houston, TX 77023
Disclaimer/Warning This site is a public resource for general information. Nothing in this website should be considered legal advice. Communications by you through this website do not establish an attorney-client relationship. Our professional obligations require that before accepting any new client, we must determine whether any conflicts exist with current or former clients. To inquire about legal representation, please call or email us. An attorney-client relationship will not be created by placing a call or sending an email. Any medical decision is important. You should not stop taking any prescribed medication unless advised to do so by your doctor. Consult your doctor before making any medical decision and do not rely upon this website in making any medical decision. Attorney licensed in Texas. Attorney not certified by the Boards of Legal Specialization in any state. Not all states have board certifications. Attorney Victor Longo is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Representation is not available in all states and Longo Legal, PLLC is not accepting cases in all states. Longo Legal, PLLC may associate with other law firms in other states and jurisdictions as required. Cases will likely be referred to other lawyers for handling. © Copyright 2016 Longo Legal