Possible Good News for Those Taking the Oral Form of Fosamax

New York, NYPrevious research has found a possible connection between the drug Fosamax and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). However, a recent study conducted within the US that involved over 7,000 patients found that the use of drugs such as Fosamax, or bisphosphonates, has very little effect on ONJ when taken orally. Nevertheless, the link has not been completely ruled out despite the promising results of this study.

Fosamax belongs to a class of drugs that helps patients with osteoporosis avoid bone fractures and prevent bone metastases that are related to skeletal issues in cancer patients. The cancer patients that benefit from the drug are those with metastatic prostate and breast cancers as well as multiple myeloma.

It was in 2003 that the first reports were made available that found patients taking drugs such as Fosamax were developing ONJ. This is also referred to as bone necrosis, which is the death of living tissue and cells that occur accidentally. There were also other studies done after the initial one that proved the association as well. However, it wasn't until 2005 that the main concern was with the intravenous form of these drugs. A report was published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery that reported on 63 patients who had developed ONJ. Only seven of those patients had taken the oral form of the drug while the rest received it via an I.V.

The findings of this latest study that states the oral medications possess a minimal risk of ONJ, was presented at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science news conference and conflicts with previous reports that linked Fosamax to ONJ. However, when ONJ presents itself, it is definitely a challenge for physicians to treat. ONJ is especially prevalent in those who are older and who have had some sort of oral surgery or jaw bone trauma.

Research has also been published in the Journal of the American Dental Association regarding these recent findings. This report backs up the research that stated bisphosphonates that are administered intravenously are what increases the chances of developing ONJ.

Harvard School of Dental Medicine's Dr. Athanasios Zavras, from the Department of Oral Health Policy & epidemiology, states that this is great news for the 3 million Americans who rely on drugs such as Fosamax. Zavras and his colleagues had analyzed the claims of 714,217 patients with cancer or osteoporosis to see what kind of affect these drugs had on conditions of the jaw, jaw surgery due to a malignancy, or major jaw surgery. What they found was that the intravenous form of bisphosphonates was what increased the risk of ONJ. The risk of developing ONJ in those with cancer was higher than those with osteoporosis. The risk was the highest for those patients who had to have surgery for necrosis.

However, the oral form of the drug reduced the risk of developing ONJ by 35% in those with osteoporosis. Nevertheless, ONJ is still a suspected reaction as a result of using drugs such as Fosamax, although the main concern is with the intravenous form of bisphosphonates. Fortunately, in 2005, the information on these products was updated to include information and advice regarding ONJ and its suspected association with the use of such drugs as Fosamax. But even with the new developments, the incidence of ONJ is increasing, but this increase seems to be mainly associated with the intravenous use of the drug. This, however, can help those who take Fosamax orally to breathe a little easier and not worry that their medication will give them this difficult to treat condition while trying to deal with their existing condition.

By Ginger Gillenwater