Every year, more than 20 million prescriptions are written for Fosamax, the leading medication to treat several disease of the bone. However, consumers need to be more careful as complaints and lawsuits are increasing against this drug due to its adverse effects, such as femur fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). This is the reason why DEXA scanning is advised to lessen the risk of Fosamax femur fracture.
Fosamax is a biphosphonate class of drug that works by altering the bone cycle reducing bone breakdown eventually increasing bone mass. Health care providers have been accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to order the drug, which is also known by its generic version alendronate sodium, as management of osteoporosis in both men and women. Paget’s Disease is also considered to be treated by this drug. Also, your doctor may order you to take the drug for indications not authorized by the FDA when your medical condition requires such treatment.
The practice of prescribing for an indication, dose, or form of administration that has not been approved by the FDA is considered an off-label use. Doctors have discovered that Fosamax may be used to treat certain cancers that have spread into the bones. Among these cancers are lung, breast, multiple myeloma and prostate cancers. More off-label use of the drug includes vitamin D overdose treatment as well as osteoporosis resulting from a spinal injury.
Significant weight loss is one of the side effects of biphosphonate that appears to be very appealing to some young adults. In spiteof that, taking the drug just to lose weight may not be a good idea as it maycauses greater hazards. You might need to ask for suggestion from your health care provider on what you need to lose weight.
Off-label use of drug, particularly those that are not advised by your medical practitioner, will only bring unnecessary problems to your health. Some of its side effects include ulcerations and bleeding in the esophagus and, in rare occasions, the death of a jaw bone tissue (osteonecrosis of the jaw). Currently, more and more reports have been brought forth claiming that extensive use of drug for prolonged period may cause a kind of Fosamax femur fracture. Suffering an adverse event that Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, failed to acknowledge may be a valid ground for filing a lawsuit But you might have a problem defending your side of litigation if it turns out that you are taking the drug for an off-label use. It is important to always be careful.
References:
npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121609815
capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111229/LIFE/112290301/-1/LIFE03
