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Editor: Tim O'Brien
Profession: Attorney at Law

Category: Fosamax Lawsuits

Osteoporosis patients who have taken Fosamax to help balance their bone density claim to have suffered Ostonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), also known as dead jaw. A number of recent Fosamax lawsuits have been filed against maker Merck, a company in the heat of the Vioxx scandal.

Some of these lawsuits contend that Fosamax patients who had dental work done developed severe infections and other damage to their jaws.

According to an Apirl 13, 2006, Gannett News Service article, a spokesperson from Merck said,

"We (Merck) certainly encourage any patient taking Fosamax to tell their dentist before any procedure."

At the request of the FDA, Merck added a warning to its U.S. labels in 2005. This warning was included in the middle of page 13 of a 22-page document to pharmacists.

Fosamax falls under the drug category of bisphosphonates, which also include Actonel, Boniva, Aredia and Zometa. Some of these drugs are also used with cancer patients.