US Drug Watchdog and Fosamax
One of the many organizations that are trying to help people who have suffered from Fosamax use is the US Drug Watchdog. This group is considered a premier private pharmaceutical effects monitor and advocacy organization in the United States. As Fosamax lawsuits are scheduled for a February 2012 trial, the group has strengthened their search for people who have suffered femur or thighbone fractures while taking the osteoporosis drug Fosamax.
Fosamax is under the group of biphosphonate drugs. They are also popularly called antiresoprtive medicines because they help in slowing or stopping the natural process that dissolves bone tissue, resulting in maintained or increased bone density and strength. Recent studies, however, suggested how Fosamax might cause a femur fracture.
Since the first time it was made available to the public in 1995, Fosamax developed by Merck & Co. became one of the most prescribed drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, recent studies have suggested that long-term use of Fosamax and other bisphosphonates might lead to severe side effects such as femur fractures, osteonecrosis, musculoskeletal pain and esophageal cancer. At the risk of developing another ailment equally debilitating, the drug is known to prevent the development of osteoporosis. If osteoporosis already has developed, it slows the rate of bone thinning, thereby reducing the risk of broken bones.
One of the biggest problems the US Drug Watchdog has been facing with respect to its drug initiative is that the average US consumer never hears about a drug recall, or serious side effects related to a specific drug’s use. With regards to Fosamax, the group is trying to identify women, who have taken the drug for five years, or more, and for no apparent reason suffered a broken femur, or thigh bone. The group said this could be a particularly serious Fosamax side effect as these types of leg breaks are also called atypical fractures as it could happen suddenly and without warning.
“Most importantly we want to get the word out about Fosamax, and long term users, who have suffered from an unexplainable broken femur or broken leg,” said the US Drug Watchdog, adding that “At the same time, we want to make certain all Fosamax users, who suffered an unexplained broken femur, or thigh bone get to the actual trial law firms or attorneys, that have the best record in achieving superior results for their clients—period.”
The side effects of Fosamax, from which many people suffered, are no fluke while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to put up a firm stance as regard Fosamax despite releasing a safety warning last year. These suffering has actually led many people to file a Fosamax lawsuit.
References:
news.yahoo.com/us-drug-watchdog-urges-family-members-women-suffered-080440829.html
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Leave a Reply