Early Osteoporosis Assessment Leads to Fosamax Over-prescription

Osteoporosis is a bone disease which robs the bones with its minerals and results to potential fractures, especially in women. Because this bone disease is prevalent in women, many of them undergo bone density tests while young to determine the early risk of osteoporosis, says a popular online health blog. This event may result to over-use of Fosamax, orthopedic experts believe. Long-term use of this drug may potentially lead to strange incidences of thighbone fractures. Those young people who are found to be at risk of bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, are advised to incorporate a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and perform weight-bearing exercises. 

 Read more: Osteoporosis Tests Over-Performed, Lead to Fosamax Over-Prescription, NYT Article Argues

Rottenstein Law Group Heeds Fosamax MDL Court’s Order Designed to Weed Out Bad Cases

The Rottenstein Law Group, which represents clients with claims stemming from the severe side effects of the drug Fosamax, is taking all necessary measures to comply with the latest order of the federal Fosamax MDL court.

As the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York prepares to wrap up the federal Fosamax multidistrict litigation matter In Re: Fosamax Products Liability Litigation (No. 06 MD 1789), Judge John F. Keenan has issued an order designed to weed out those cases “more likely to be dismissed… as they undergo closer scrutiny.” Defendant Merck & Co., Inc., manufacturer of the embattled osteoporosis drug, made a third request of the court for a so-called “Lone Pine” order. Judge Keenan had denied Merck’s previous requests, but he granted this one.

By order filed November 20, 2012, Judge Keenan is requiring each claimant whose federal lawsuit is part of the Fosamax MDL but who has not alleged that he or she experienced osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or osteomyellitis (as a result of having taken Fosamax) to produce certain information and documentation to identify specifically the alleged injuries suffered and to substantiate, with expert testimony, to a “reasonable degree of medical certainty” the claim that the injuries were caused by Fosamax.

For more information read more on: Rottenstein Law Group Heeds Fosamax MDL Court’s Order Designed to Weed Out Bad Cases

Treating Cancer through Various Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are a group of antiresorptive drugs used to inhibit accelerated loss of bone mass, paving for lowered fractural risk in the afflicted, and possibly avoiding the occurrence of the deficiency for those who may be at risk, according to medical journals. They are often given to osteoporotic patients and are also sometimes prescribed to people with osteopenia, an osteoporosis precursor, who may have been recognized with multiple risk factors. However, as they have been proven effective in minimizing the fractural risk in users, Fosamax and other similar drugs have also been associated with a string of adverse events, which in some instances, have paved the way for a series of lawsuits. 

Visit http://www.fosamaxinjurylawsuitcenter.com for additional related information involving Fosamax and its related side effects.Bisphosphonates are also utilized as pain relief in patients with bone metastasis (cancer that begins in an organ, such as the lungs, breast, or prostate, and then spreads to bone). Several studies also reveal that bisphosphonates may possibly prevent metastatic malignant diseases from causing bony complications and may even improve quality of life of people enduring myeloma with bone lesions.

Although they may either be used through the mouth or used as an intravenous drug, most cancer experts utilize the route of intravenous administration as it is given through a short monthly infusion and has not been linked to side effects that most oral bisphosphonates have been reported to cause including gastrointestinal problems. Some of the most commonly utilized bisphosphonates for bone metastases include pamidronate (Aredia), and zolendronic acid (Zometa). 

Both manufactured and sold by pharmaceutical company Novartis, Aredia and Zometa are examples of bisphosphonates administered intravenously often used as treatment to hypercalcemia of malignancy (treat high levels of calcium in the blood related to cancer), myeloma, secondary breast and prostate cancer, as well as Paget’s disease of the bone. 

Fosamax, also available by its generic name alendronate, is an example of a bisphosphonate taken orally, manufactured and widely distributed by one of the country’s pharmaceutical leader, Merck & Co. While it is administered differently from Aredia and Zometa, it is also given to relieve bone pain in people suffering from metastatic bone cancer, multiple myeloma, and Paget’s disease of the bone. 

Alongside the benefits that come with these medications are side effects that may range from mild to severe which may aggravate or improve during the treatment, according to medical experts. Experts recommend that patients take utmost precaution to possibly minimize their risk of experiencing these side effects and added health problems.

Sources:
drugs.com/mtm/aredia.html
cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/cancer-drugs/disodium-pamidronate
cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/cancer-drugs/zoledronic-acid
www.medicinenet.com/alendronate/article.htm
oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?c=1&s=89&ss=871&id=9629&CFID=54367541&CFTOKEN=94903688
orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00093

Japanese Medical Product Manufacturer Pioneers Oral Bisphosphonate Jelly

Many orthopedic experts and pharmaceutical specialists believe that bisphosphonates, a medicine class that involves Merck’s Fosamax, is a profitable venture even though several side effects are being allegedly linked to them. In this case, a pharmaceutical company in Japan, Teijin Pharma Ltd., has published a press statement announcing government approval of its 35mg Bonalon Jelly on August 16, 2012. The company affirms that the pharmaceutical formulation is an improved generic of alendronate medicine compared with the 5mg tablet of Fosamax brand.

The jelly version promises various advantages from the older tablet variants of alendronate sodium hydrate. Medical jellies are easier to identify and may be easily swallowed compared with  the most orthopedic medicine available in the market. It is important for bone medicines to be distinctive, especially for a bisphosphate, since it should be medicated at least 30 minutes before or after taking any other type of medicine. Bonalon Jelly is also prescribed once a week in 35mg jelly which is less a hassle to users compared with a daily prescription.

Teijin stated that a decade of medical study has indicated how alendronate came to be safer based on a few months studies conducted in Japan and China. Both studies have reflected controversial allegations of adverse effects caused by the prescription.

Patients having orthopedic problems should not assume from the affirmation announcement on the recent approval of similar Fosamax generic. It is strongly suggested that they ask for a doctor’s referral regarding any advice of dosage updates. To know more about these issues, read Japanese Pharmaceutical Company Creates First Oral Jelly Bisphosphonate.