How long should patients be on Fosamax?
How long should patients be on Fosamax?
Answer From Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph. D. Bisphosphonates, the most common type of osteoporosis medications, are typically taken for at least 3 to 5 years. After that, your doctor will consider your risk factors in determining whether you should continue to take these or other osteoporosis medications.
What happens if you take Fosamax for 5 years?
Now some doctors worry that staying on the drug for more than five years can cause some women’s bones to become more brittle. This is not the first time that many doctors have reported an opposite effect for many people taking the drug.
How is Fosamax used to treat osteoporosis?
(There’s some evidence in animal studies that Fosamax can inhibit microdamage repair.) Over time, such microdamage might accumulate and cause a fracture. Also, while bone breakdown is suppressed, the mineralization process continues, potentially resulting in “hypermineralized” bone, which may be more brittle and less resilient to wear and tear.
When did Fosamax first come on the market?
Made by Merck, Fosamax first came on the market in 1995. Although it has been popular in people susceptible to bone density loss, this medication has also been associated with some serious and troubling side effects, including bone fractures, jaw bone loss, and debilitating pain.
Are there any side effects with Prolia and Fosamax?
Fosamax and Prolia both contain medications that are used to treat osteoporosis. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well.
Is Fosamax too dangerous to use?
Since its release, Fosamax has been linked to many dangerous side effects, including osteonecrosis, esophageal cancer, and atrial fibrillation. Recent studies have also proven that using Fosamax leads to an increase in thigh bone fractures.
Is Fosamax dangerous to take?
The health risks of using Fosamax for a long period of time are still not completely clear. There have been reports that some people who take Fosamax have developed a serious condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw, a condition in which bone tissue in the jaw dies, causing pain and the possible collapse of the jaw bone.
When to stop taking Fosamax?
Stop using Fosamax and call your doctor at once if you have: chest pain, new or worsening heartburn; difficulty or pain when swallowing; pain or burning under the ribs or in the back; severe heartburn, burning pain in your upper stomach, or coughing up blood;
How long can you take Fosamax?
Some federal drug regulators indicate that women should only take Fosamax for five years, to maximize the benefits of the osteoporosis drug and minimize the risk of femur fractures and other problems associated with long-term use. According to a report…