Fosamax a bisphosphonate drug has been linked to dead jaw. Other bisphosphonate drugs are Aredia and Zometa. An increasing number of cases of bisphosphonate related dead jaw are being reported to the U.S. FDA.

Women suffering from post menopausal bone mass deprivation or loss of bone density (Osteoporosis) are prescribed Fosamax.

Millions of women suffering from Osteoporosis have been prescribed Fosamax, after it was approved in 1995. FDA does require that bisphosphonate labeling should highlight the link between the drugs and Osteonecrosis. Current research (as of June 2006) shows that 94% of published cases, concern patients taking nitrogen-containing intravenous bisphosphonates to treat multiple myeloma and metastatic carcinoma to the skeleton. Furthermore, a full 60% of cases affect patients who recently had dental surgery. Cancer patients taking intravenous bisphosphonates have a higher risk of Osteonecrosis of the jaw

Symptoms of dead jaw are:

• Loose teeth
• Heaviness / numbness in the jaw
• Pain and swelling in gums/jaw
• Gum and jaw infections
• Slow healing of gums
• Lot of  gum loss
• Bone exposure

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, immediately consult your doctor. Untreated dead jaw can lead to irreversible joint collapse within the jaw.

If you know someone who might be exhibiting the symptoms talked about, please consult the physician on investigating bisphosphonate drug usage as a possible cause. Alongside, try to get in touch with an experienced attorney to advice on lawsuits and legal proceedings. If you are not sure who to contact, just fill out the form given in this page or give us a call and we would provide you with the required expert advice free of cost on how to go about it.

Dead Jaw is a post from: Osteonecrosis

Bisphosphonates are drugs used to strengthen and protect the bones.

Fosamax, a widely used bisphosphonate drug manufactured by Merck & Co, was recently linked to jaw bone decay and Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). As a result FDA issued a public health advisory to health professionals about the risks of Fosamax.

You should not take Fosamax if you have esophagus(tube connecting mouth to stomach) disorder, are not able to stand/sit upright for 30mins, severe kidney disease or allergic to Fosamax.

Symptoms of ONJ are:

• Non-healing of a tooth socket after extraction
• Exposed bone area in the mouth
• Gum swelling
• Heaviness or numbness in the jaw
• Jaw pain
• Loose teeth
• Pus discharge

There is uncertainty among researchers, as to why the usage of some bisphosphonate drugs can lead to the development of ONJ. It has been suggested that bisphosphonates prevents formation of new blood vessels within bone tissue, inhibits the natural healing process thereby allowing bone mass degradation. Estimates suggest that there have been more than 125 ONJ and bisphosphonate drug related cases.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of developing a case of Osteonecrosis (ONJ) of the jaw from the usage of bisphosphonate drugs you may be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. If you are not sure who to contact, just fill out the form given in this page or give us a call and we would provide you with the required expert advice free of cost on how to go about it.

Osteocrenosis Jaw (ONJ) is a post from: Osteonecrosis

One of the causes of ONJ is claimed to be the effect of treatment involving Biphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax. A study on Fosamax induced Osteonecrosis of Jaw in December 2008 reveals that prevalence of ONJ in patients under the treatment of Fosamax is understated in previous research studies. Fosamax is a Biphosphonate drug used in treating bone related disorders like fractures, thinning of bones (osteoporosis) etc. Fosamax can be injected or administered orally to the patients with bone infections or injuries.

Dental patients undergoing tooth extraction or setting of dentures are subjected to medical interventions in the form of drugs such as Fosamax to heal the dental trauma caused by exposure of jaw bone. When the jaw bone does not heal after 2 months, the patient is said to be suffering from Osteonecrosis of the jaw. Dental treatment without administration of Fosamax saw no incidence of ONJ while ONJ was seen in patients undergoing treatment with Fosamax.

In few cases, discontinuation of Biphosphonate drugs has resulted in healing of ONJ but only after several months after withdrawal. If you are a victim under the treatment of Biphosphonate drugs suffering from ONJ after a dental procedure or osteoporosis treatment, it is likely that there is compensation for your sufferings available to you through US courts. Get in touch with an experienced attorney to discuss your case and explore the options before you. . If you are not sure who to contact, just fill out the form given in this page or give us a call and we would provide you with the required expert advice on how to go about it, free of cost.

ONJ is a post from: Osteonecrosis

Dead jaw makes it difficult to chew solids and causes disfigurement of the face. Fosamax is a Biphosponate drug mainly used in the treatment of Osteoporosis (thinning of bone). Fosomax is prescribed in cases of delayed healing problems, tooth extraction related infections and osteoporosis onset in women in menopausal stage. Jaw Necrosis is claimed to be one of the critical side effect of the drug Fosamax

Tooth Infections, inadvertent bone exposure in dental treatment process and delay in healing after tooth extraction creates a condition where the blood supply does not reach the affected region. In the absence of blood supply, new cells cannot be produced by the body and so the affected tissue does not heal, thus leading to bone degeneration. This subsequently develops into Osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Though Osteonecrosis is related to bone collapse in general, ONJ specifically affects the jaw bone. Though the main reason cited for onset of ONJ are instances of bone injuries during dental procedures such as tooth extraction, gum surgery and tooth implants, Biphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax also have a role to play in the cause of this painful disease. Hundreds of cases have reported in United States alone.

Dental procedures such as tooth extraction may accidentally expose the bone. This exposed bone may not heal as expected and could develop infections. Infections result in pus formation, jaw pain, swelling in the jaws, infectious gums, extreme loss of gums, visible bone and loosened teeth. These symptoms indicate onset of ONJ. Osteonecrosis of the Jaw is difficult to diagnose in the earlier stages but definite symptoms emerge at later stages of the disease.

ONJ diagnosis is done by using imaging scans and biopsy of the bone tissue is performed in extreme cases. Patients under Bisphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax, suffering with the foresaid complaints should immediately consult a doctor for advice. Early detection can cure bone tissue degeneration and save the jaw from losing its function. Jaw necrosis causes pain and agony and requires long term antibiotic treatment or surgery to replace the bone tissue. Many cases have been filed by patients of Fosamax for compensation in the US courts.

If you suspect ONJ on account of Fosomax, immediately consult your physician to investigate your suspicion. Alongside, try to get in touch with an experienced attorney to advice on lawsuits and legal proceedings. If you are not sure who to contact, just fill out the form given in this page or give us a call and we would provide you with the required expert advice on how to go about it, free of cost.

Jaw Necrosis is a post from: Osteonecrosis

About 20,000 new cases of osteonecrosis are diagnosed in the United States every year.  Most of those diagnoses are made in patients who are in their thirties.  Osteonecrosis can be brought on by traumatic or non-traumatic causes.  The cases involving trauma develop as the result of severe fractures or dislocated joints that do not heal with proper blood circulation restored.

Non-Traumatic Osteonecrosis

Non-traumatic osteonecrosis may be caused by a number of factors.  It has been linked to diseases that are known to block or restrict blood supply in some fashion; included in this category are kidney disorders, alcoholism, smoking, or lupus.  In some cases osteonecrosis has been caused by extended treatment with high levels of corticosteroids, a group of drugs that are used to treat a wide range of health problems including inflammation, irritable bowel disorder, and skin problems.

Osteonecrosis and Biophosphonate Drugs

Non-traumatic osteonecrosis has also been linked to a group of medications called biophosphonates.  These drugs are used to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases.  One of them, Fosamax, has been linked to several cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw, or ONJ.  This loss of bone in the jaw can lead to severe dental problems and gum infections along with the pain and dysfunction in the jaw joints.  Other Fosamax users have reported problems with hip and knee joints that have been severe enough to require canes and in severe cases, wheelchairs.

The developer of Fosamax, Merck Laboratories, was sued in 2006 over their alleged failure to alert consumers to its dangers.  Another biophosphonate that has come under scrutiny is Aredia, a medication manufactured by Novartis used to treat cancer, osteoporosis and myeloma.  It is a bone-strengthening medication that is meant to contribute to bone density.  Novartis also manufactures and markets Zometa, a palliative medication for the treatment of patients with advanced bone cancer.  Both medications have been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Fosamax, Aredia and Zometa Lawsuits

The reports of the linkage between biophosphonates and ONJ have been consistent for several years.  In 2004 the FDA issued a warning about the use of biophosphonates and the development of INJ, as did Novartis.  Nevertheless Fosamax, Aredia and Zometa are all still on the market and are all currently the subject of litigation brought by patients who have developed osteonecrosis after using one of the medications.

If you or a member of your family has been treated for bone density problems and has developed pain in the jaw or in other joints you should be in touch with a law firm that is experienced in biophosphonate lawsuits.  Fill out the brief form on this page and one of our attorneys will be in touch with you in order to review your case.

Osteonecrosis Lawsuits is a post from: Osteonecrosis