As evidence mounts that atypical femur fractures are linked to long term use of bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax, doctors are beginning advise their patients to discontinue its use after two to three years. Indeed, doctors must not only re think the length of time their patients take Fosamax, but perhaps they should re think to whom they prescribe it to as well.
Drugs like Fosamax were developed to make bones stronger and combat the detrimental effects of osteoporosis. The drugs were so popular that doctors began prescribing them not only to women with osteoporosis, but to those who were osteopenic, in other words those who are at high risk of developing osteoporosis. However, instead of delaying or preventing onset of osteoporosis, long term use of bisphosponates has been seen to make some women’s bones more brittle.
While reports may indicate that the causal link between bisphosphonate use and a-typical femur fractures has not yet been established, interestingly, recent conversations have switched not to whether the causal link exists, but the need to reduce the amount of time patients take the drugs and whether the benefits outweigh the risks. After all, in addition to the apparent risk of a-typical femur fractures, drugs like Fosamax have already been linked to severe musculoskeletal pain and osteonecrosis of the jaw, a condition where bone in the jaw begins to die due to poor blood supply.
Do the benefits outweigh the risks? Or, is the cure worse than the disease? There is no doubt that bisphosphonates increase bone mineral density, at least at the outset. In the early stages, the increased bone density may aid in preventing the more common hip and spine fractures suffered by many women with osteoporosis. Thus it’s not surprising that doctors would rather decrease the amount of time a patient takes a course of bisphosphonates rather than eliminate its use all together.
On the other hand, if one chooses to take bisphosphonates, the possible risks aren’t any better than had you elected to not take the drugs. Much like hip fractures common to those with osteoporosis, femur fractures are very serious. In fact, the femur is the strongest bone in the body, hence the oddity that some bisphosphonate users suffer a femur fracture by merely taking a step forward. Like hip fractures, the mortality rate for femur fractures is substantial. Compared to a mortality rate of 15% to 20% for hip fractures, the mortality rate for femur fractures is reported around 20% to 35%. Coupled with the other side effects liked to bisphosphonate use, it may be in a patients best interest to await more long term studies of the drug’s effects.
Our firm is currently investigating claims for those people who have taken Fosamax and have been injured. I you would like a free case evaluation, please contact Booth Samuels at toll free 1-866-515-8880 or at booths@pittmandutton.com.
