| Long-Term Fosamax Use More Than Doubles the Risk of Femur Fractures Among Older Women |
| Experts Recognize Possible Link Between Thigh-Bone Fractures and Long-Term Fosamax Use |
An expert panel announced yesterday that long-term use of Fosamax and other osteoporosis drugs may be related to serious fractures of the thigh bone. Fosamax is one of a class of drugs called bisphosphonates.
The expert task force was convened by the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, the leading scientific organization on bone science, to investigate the link between bisphosphonates and unusual femur fractures. Of 310 cases of “atypical femur factures,” 94% had taken bisphosphonates for more than five years.
The task force’s report called for better product labeling, along with further research to confirm whether and how bisphosphonates cause femur fractures. In addition to Fosamax, bisphosphonates include Aclasta, Actonel, Aredia, Bondronat, Boniva, Didronel, Fosavance, Reclast, Skelid, and Zometa.
Importantly, the report states that there are often warning signs before the fractures occur. More than half of the patients with fractures reported groin or thigh pain for weeks or months before the facture.
If you or someone you love is a long-term user of Fosamax or another type of bisphosphonate and are experiencing groin or thigh pain, contact your physician immediately.
The task force press release may be found HERE.
The task force’s complete report, “Atypical Subtrochanteric and Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures: Report of a Task Force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research,” may be found HERE. |