Fosamax

Fosamax is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease, in postmenopausal women. It is also used to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis, and is prescribed for both men and women who have developed a form of osteoporosis sometimes caused by steroid medications such as prednisone. This drug can also be used to relieve Paget’s disease of bone, a painful condition that weakens and deforms the bones.

Fosamax has been linked to severe musculoskeletal pain (pain of the joints, muscles, and/or bones), as well as a serious bone disease called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), also known as "dead jaw" and "fossy jaw."

On January 31, 2005, Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, received a request for data from the FDA to update the label for Fosamax to include labeling for the jawbone tissue disease. The revised label was not made available until July 2005.

On January 7, 2008, the FDA warned that Fosamax had been linked to severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and muscle (musculoskeletal) pain.  The agency advised doctors and patients to be aware of this side effect, and to discontinue Fosamax use should it occur.

One of the first Fosamax lawsuits to be filed against Merck & Co. stems from a 60-year-old woman from Florida who was using the bisphosphonate drug to treat her osteoporosis. The lawsuit states that six-plus years of Fosamax treatments caused the woman to develop a severe case of ONJ, rotting her mouth and exposing bone in her jaw. Merck has been accused of withholding information regarding the serious nature of certain Fosamax side effects, notably the drug’s propensity towards causing the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Thus far, an estimated 15 Fosamax lawsuits have been filed against Merck & Co. Although this may seem like a negligible number of personal injury lawsuits for a company as large as Merck & Co., experts believe that it is only the beginning and expect the filing of hundreds, if not thousands more cases as the year progresses.

If you or a loved one has used Fosamax and has suffered any severe muscle, joint or bone pain, or have experienced jaw injury or disease, contact Messa & Associates at 1 877 MESSA LAW for a free consultation. Our team of attorneys has the experience specific to complications associated with prescription medications. Not only can they give you the legal guidance you need; they can help you get the compensation you deserve.