FOSAMAX® Bone Death of the Jaw

Levin Papantonio Appointed to Lead Fosamax Case

Firm Attorney Timothy O'Brien has been appointed Lead Counsel by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in MDL No. 1789, In re Fosamax Products Liability Litigation. Mr. O'Brien concentrates his practice in the areas of product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, and mass tort litigation. He has previously been appointed as discovery co-chair in In re Accutane Products Liability Litigation., MDL No. 1626, as discovery co-chair in In re Medtronic, Inc., Implantable Defibrillators Product Liab. Litig., MDL No. 1726, as a member of the Plaintiffs Steering Committee in In re Guidant Corp. Implantable Defibrillators Product Liab. Litig., MDL No. 1708, and served on the discovery committee of In re Phenylpropanolamine ("PPA") Product Liab. Litig., MDL No. 1407. As the lead attorney responsible for Levin Papantonio's PPA litigation, he has secured over $20 million in settlements for the firm's clients. He has taken the national lead in prosecuting Fosamax osteonecrosis of the jaw cases and has been interviewed and extensively quoted in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Associated Press, Bloomberg News, and by National Public Radio, CBS Radio, and Air America Radio.

FOSAMAX RESOURCES:

In the News: Fosamax & Jaw Decay Fosamax Links of Interest View our Fosamax video Watch Mike Papantonio's interview with Tim O'Brien on Fosamax MDL 1789

Fosamax® is a bisphosphonate medication used for bone loss. Users of Fosamax have suffered Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, also known as Jaw Necrosis, ONJ, Bis-Phossy Jaw or Dead Jaw. This painful and disfiguring condition causes the jaw bone to decay and die. Symptoms of osteonecrosis may lead to infection of the jaw and exposed portions of bone inside the mouth. Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, failed to warn users of this side effect. Similar problems have been linked to Fosamax's bisphosphonate competitor, Actonel, which is marketed by Procter & Gamble.

Other similar bisphosphonates have also been implicated in the serious necrosis of the jaw. In the U.S. Package Insert for both Aredia and Zometa, the following information on osteonecrosis had previously been added to the Adverse Reactions section under Post-Marketing Experience:

"Cases of osteonecrosis (primarily involving the jaws) have been reported in patients treated with bisphosphonates. The majority of the reported cases are in cancer patients attendant to a dental procedure. Osteonecrosis of the jaw has multiple well documented risk factors including a diagnosis of cancer, concomitant therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, corticosteroids) and co-morbid conditions (e.g., anemia, coagulopathies, infection, pre-existing oral disease). Although causality cannot be determined, it is prudent to avoid dental surgery as recovery may be prolonged."

Levin Papantonio is investigating claims and Fosamax lawsuits nationwide for Fosamax users who have suffered damage to their jaw bone as a result of the popular medication. If you have been injured by Fosamax, Actonel , Aredia, or Zometa, contact our Fosamax Attorneys for a free legal consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for a jaw bone injury which could have been prevented.

Fosamax® Links about Osteonecrosis from bisphosphonate medications for bone loss:

• Side Effect Watch: Femur Fractures in Fosamax Patients
  A study in the current issue of the Journal of Orthopedic Trauma links Merck's osteoporosis drug Fosamax to a rare type of fracture in the femur.
  
• Suit Alleges Merck Negligently Promoted Osteoporosis Drug Fosamax
  Merck & Co., which is already facing a raft of cases over its pain reliever Vioxx, may need to hire additional attorneys to fight a recently filed lawsuit alleging the company was negligent in promoting its osteoporosis drug Fosamax.
  
• Oral Surgeon Warns about "bis-phossy jaw"
  Bisphosphonates, a class of drugs taken by millions of patients for osteoporosis and bone-related complications of metastatic cancer may actually contribute to the onset of osteochemonecrosis, or "bis-phossy jaw," a painful, potentially disfiguring jaw condition, according to an article published in the May issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
  
• Wall Street Journal says industry moving slowly on dead jaw problems
  After eight operations on patients whose jawbones turned out to be dead, oral surgeon Salvatore Ruggiero began doing some research in February 2001. He scoured the patients' medical records and discovered they had something in common: They were cancer patients taking a drug called Aredia to combat bone loss...
  
• USA Today - Dead Jawbones linked to drug
  Over a three-year period, the jaws of dozens of patients who had undergone oral surgery at his hospital had failed to heal properly. Part of the jawbone had died and become exposed.
  
• Biphosphonates and Jaw Necrosis
  Cancer patients given drugs called bisphosphonates to control hypercalcemia – too much calcium in the blood – or the growth of bone metastases can develop bone death in the jaw the FDA warns.
• Novartis Letter warns about its drugs causing osteonecrosis
  Novartis is fully committed to assuring timely dissemination of safety information about their products to the healthcare community. We are writing to inform you of changes made to the Precautions and Post-Marketing Experience sections of the Aredia®.

• Side Effect Watch: Femur Fractures in Fosamax Patients
  Wall Street Journal Health Blog - June 4, 2008
  A study in the current issue of the Journal of Orthopedic Trauma links Merck's osteoporosis drug Fosamax to a rare type of fracture in the femur. 
• Merck Faces 100 New Fosamax Lawsuits
  Bloomberg - May 1, 2008
  Merck & Co., the third-largest U.S. drugmaker, faces as many as 100 new lawsuits claiming the company failed to warn that its osteoporosis drug Fosamax may cause an irreversible jaw-rot, a patients' lawyer said.
• The FDA And Medical Researchers Link Fosamax To Disabling Bone & Joint Problems
  levinlaw.com, FL - March 5, 2008
  In January 2008, the United States Food & Drug Administration alerted physicians and consumers to the relationship of disabling bone and joint pain and Fosamax use....
• Leading Medical Authors Conclude That Fosamax is Overprescribed
  levinlaw.com, FL - January 22, 2008
  Medical researchers in the January 19, 2008, issue of the British Medical Journal revealed that bisphosphonate drugs typically used for osteoporosis, such as Merck's Fosamax, Procter & Gamble's Actonel, and Roche's Boniva, are too widely prescribed by physicians....
• Are Osteoporosis Drugs Overused?
  St. Pete Times, FL - January 19, 2008
  People who are just "at risk" clamor for the pills. Is that healthy?...
• Osteoporosis Meds and Heart Rhythm
  Intelihealth.com, PA - May 4, 2007
  The drugs -- Reclast and Fosamax -- belong to the class of medications known as biphosphonates. Two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine ...
• Heart Rhythm Problem Tied to Bone Drug
  biz.yahoo.com - May 2, 2007
  Studies Hint at Unexpected Heart Rhythm Problem With Bone-Building Drugs
  BOSTON (AP) -- Two research reports suggest a possible link between two bone-building drugs and irregular heart rhythms in a small number of women who take the medicine.
• Merck blockbusters lift revenue prospects
  NorthJersey.com, NJ - Apr 4, 2007
  Notwithstanding the introduction of a generic version of its blockbuster osteoporosis drug Fosamax in 2008, Merck's future is bright. ...
• Weekly Oral Fosamax Prevents Bone Loss in Patients with Prostate
  Cancer Consultants (press release), TN - Mar 29, 2007
  There were no apparent side effects associated with treatment with Fosamax. This study was too short to determine the effects of Fosamax on the incidence of ...
• Merck marks Fosamax patent victory
  MSNBC - USA - Mar 28, 2007
  The reinstatement by the European Patent Office of the patent for the once-weekly Fosamax treatment, the most popular dosing form, could trigger lawsuits by ...
• Cancer patients' bone loss is treatable
  St. Petersburg Times, FL Mar 25, 2007
  Oral bisphosphonates, Fosamax and Actonel, are presently used for this purpose. However, they frequently cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, ...
• Ask the Doctor: First step to bone health is awareness
  Terre Haute Tribune Star, IN - Mar 15, 2007
  Risedronate (Actonel) and alendronate (Fosamax) protect against fractures at the spine, hip and elsewhere. Ibandronic acid (Boniva), raloxifene (Evista) and ...
• Merck CEO's compensation: $8 million
  Newark Star Ledger, NJ - Mar 13, 2007
  Merck's products include the osteoporosis treatment Fosamax, cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia, and ingulair for asthma and allergies. ...
• This drug war pits generics vs. brand names
  Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - Mar 5, 2007
  ... in the next two years are Schering Plough's allergy treatment Clarinex, Merck's osteoporosis drug Fosamax, and Pfizer's hypertension drug Norvasc. ...
• Politics, need spur generic drug lobby
  BusinessWeek - Feb 27, 2007
  ... expire in the next two years are Schering Plough's allergy treatment Clarinex, Merck's osteoporosis drug Fosamax and Pfizer's hypertension drug Norvasc. ...
• Merck CFO retiring after 17 years
  Newsday, NY - Feb 20, 2007
  Whitehouse Station-based Merck, the maker of osteoporosis treatment Fosamax and Singulair for asthma and allergies, said it will consider internal and ...
• Fitch Downgrades Merck on Debt, Pipeline
  Houston Chronicle, TX - Feb 16, 2007
  The products include cholesterol drug Zocor, which lost protection last summer; the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, which loses protection in 2007; ...
• Fitch cuts Merck's debt ratings to "AA-minus"
  Reuters - Feb 16, 2007
  These products, Zocor, Fosamax, Cozaar, and Singulair, collectively generated 56 percent of total revenues in 2006, the credit ratings agency said. ...
• We should all have the right to choose
  Hamilton Spectator, Canada - Feb 13, 2007
  For example, Wyeth's Fen Phen, Phizer's Bextra and Merck's own Fosamax and their painkiller Vioxx, which was voluntarily recalled in September of 2004 amid ...
• Merck Braces for Flood of Fosamax Lawsuits
  Consumer Affairs - Feb 6, 2007
  Merck & Co., already battered by Vioxx lawsuits, is preparing for a blizzard of litigation from patients claiming they were harmed by Fosamax, the company's ...
• 02-02-07: Willows seniors part of bone loss study
  For the next two years, 40 seniors of the Willows at Westborough retirement community judged to be at risk for bone loss will stand on a vibrating platform for 10 minutes a day. Researchers will test the participant's bone density before, during and after the treatment to see if these low-level vibrations on people's bones fight the start of osteoporosis.
• 01-31-07: Merck's Revenue Increases, but Charges Eat Into Profit
  Merck, the maker of the osteoporosis painkiller Fosamax reported net income of $473.9 million, down from $1.12 billion, in 2005's last quarter. Although other Merck drug sales were up, Fosamax sales were flat.
• 01-05-07: Nancy Whelan: Osteoporosis medications can have side effects
  Bisphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax work by affecting both the bone building and bone breakdown cycle. An imbalance in the bone building and breakdown harmony can lead to bone loss and eventually osteoporosis. Fosamax has been linked to alter this cycle, causing osteonecrosis of the jaw.
• 12-26-06: Fosamax Break Won't Up Fracture Risk
  Study shows that women who stop taking Fosamax after five years have no more fracture risk than women who continued taking the drug and showed no increased risk of hip fractures.  Fosamax is a bisphosphonate drug linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw/jawbone death.
• 12-19-06: Dentists concerned about cases of decaying jaw bones
  Dr. Michael Deady, an oral surgeon in Terre Haute has seen 5 or 6 cases of ONJ; all patients were on an oral bisphosphonates, mostly Fosamax. The American Dental Association is recommending a "conservative" approach to dental procedures for patients using oral bisphosphonates. Fosamax, linked to dying jaw bone or osteonecrosis of the jaw, has dentist concerned for the future breakout.
• 11-10-06: An Estimated 10 Million Americans over 50 Suffer from Osteoporosis and a Further 32.9 Million are at a High Risk of Developing the Condition
  With a growing number of individuals seeking osteoporosis treatment, pharmaceutical companies will continue profitting. Osteoprosis treatments such as Fosamax is used to build bone density, but it has also been linked with deterioration of the jawbone called osteonecrosis of the jaw.
• 11-03-06: Jaw Infections/Osteoporosis Drugs
  Merck, maker of Fosamax, a bisphosphonate drug, has revised their warning label stating precaustions for osteonecrosis of the jaw. Various types of bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax pose jaw deteriorations problems. According to the American Dental Association, over 50 percent of the bisphosphonates dose can be incorporated into the bone whereas only about one percent of the oral dose is absorbed into the body.
• 10-31-06: Troublesome Advertising
  Questions raise as to why bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax are still being advertised. Fosamax has been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw in the past, but is still being adverstised and is still being sold.
• 10-27-06: Osteoporosis Medications May Lead To Bone Problems
  Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been linked to bisphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax.  Bisphosphonate drugs can stay in a persons system up to 10 years.  Since there is no current treatment for osteonecrosis of the jaw, Fosamax users should tell their dentist they take bisphosphonates and clean their mouth thoroughly.
• 10-11-06: Pennsylvania Dental Association: Popular Drugs Prescribed for Osteoporosis Pose a Rare but Serious Danger
  Fosamax, a bisphosphonate drug used to build bone mass to treat osteoporosis and some cancer cases, has been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or jaw death. Some researchers believe Bisphosphonates drugs may alter the balance of cells that make and break down the bone in the jaw leading to healing problems in the jaw bone.
• 10-06-06: Fragile bones
  Fosamax, the popular bone building drug, prescribed to treat many of the 8 million women and 2 million men in this country diagnosed with osteoporosis is raising safety questions after being tied to jaw necrosis or jaw bone death. Pensacola Florida attorney Tim O'Brian says Merck, maker of Fosamax, failed to warn people of its possible side effects.
• 09-06-06: Fosamax and other Bisphosphonates Linked to Debilitating Jaw Disease
  In five years, Fosamax, a bisphosphonates prescribed medication, has been estimated to have caused jaw bone problems in over 2,400 Fosamax users; cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw included.
• 08-28-06: Can Fosamax, the osteoporosis drug, damage the jaw?
  Research shows that Fosamax, a bisphosphonate drug, increases the risk of jaw necrosis and even in some cases leads to jaw death. Bisphosphonate drugs are found to block the normal reproduction of bone cells, which in turn does not allow for tiny fractures in the mouth, from everyday use, to heal.
• 08-17-06: As Jaw Disease Dominates Headlines, Women Should Weigh Options for Preventing Osteoporosis
  Studies are showing drugs called bisphosphonates, found in prescription medications such as Fosamax; sit in bones long after a person stops taking them.  Those taking this medication are urged to consult with a doctor to discuss treatment options.
• 08-11-06: Osteoporosis and dental treatment
  Although it is unknown how often jaw osteonecrosis occurs in those taking drugs with bisphosphonates, the number of cases is continuing to increase.  Doctors and dentists are warning those who take these bisphosphonate drugs, such as Fosamax, are at a higher risk for complications from dental treatments.
• 08-03-06: Osteoporosis medicine might keep jawbone from healing
  Patients are asking their doctors and dentists if bone density drugs, such as Fosamax, are worth the risk of developing jaw osteonecrosis.  Merck & Co., maker of Fosamax has faced ongoing lawsuits since the connection between bisphosphonate drug and the jawbone disease was established.
• 07-30-06: Jaw disease may be linked to bone drug
  Many instances of jawbone loss happen to people using bisphosphonate drugs, such as Fosamax.  Mostly jaw problems happen after dental procedures, but in some cases osteonecrosis of the jaw surfaces suddenly with no warning.  Further research shows bisphosphonate drugs have the ability to stay inside the bone for years after a person stops taking the prescription.
• 07-24-06: Doctor warns of drug's side effects
  An increased number of people, including cancer patients, are taking the bone density drug Fosamax, a popular drug on the market today that has been linked to the jawbone disease, jaw osteonecrosis; also know as “rotting jaw”.  Since 2003, 3,000 cases of jaw osteonecrosis have been recorded; doctors worry what the future may hold.
• 07-09-06: New wave of lawsuits for Merck
  Fosamax, known as a bisphosphonate drug, has been linked to jawbone problems where the bone in some instances dies. Florida attorney, Timothy O’Brien, has filed 30 suits involving Fosamax and say to he can expect to file hundreds more.
• 07-05-06: Bone-density drugs can kill jaw
  Dentists have begun asking patients whether or not they take any bone building medication such as Fosamax after jawbone deterioration cases have been linked to Fosamax and other medications.  Prescriptions like Fosamax are prescribed to many people concerned with building bone mass.
• 07-03-06: Brittle truth of bone drugs
  Doctors are trying to figure out who may benefit most by using osteoporosis medication like Fosamax.  Those who are older are being overlooked and those younger are using newer bone-saving prescriptions.  It is being researched, patients who take Fosamax, young or old, have a chance of developing a condition in which jawbones deteriorates.
• 06-26-06: Bone drug treatment can damage jaw
  Dr. Robert Marx, a professor and chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami has seen a dozen cases of patients who have had severe damage to the jawbone all of which used bisphosphonates, such as the prescription drug Fosamax.  Because it is unclear how many Fosamax users there are since the drug came out about seven or eight years ago, he warns the future may become a problem with more people developing ONJ.
• 06-22-06: Drugs Intended to Strengthen Bone May Cause Serious Side Effect
  Bone building drugs, such as Fosamax, have been used to treat cancers, osteoporosis, bone disorders and more.  Scientists are learning osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), also known as "jaw disease" have been linked to oral bisphosphonates like Fosamax.
• 05-21-06: Cancer drug linked to rotting jaws
  Out of New Zealand comes reporting that four New Zealanders have suffered rotting jawbones after taking a bisphosphates medication prescribed to help prevent bone loss for patients suffering from osteoporosis and bone cancers.
• 05-09-06: Fosamax, Merck's other drug problem
  With thousands of Vioxx cases already in the courts, the drugmaker faces 15 suits over an osteoporosis drug blamed for rotting the jaw bone.
• 04-15-06: Osteoporosis Drugs Blamed for Jaw Rotting Disease
  The pain Gwendolyn Wolfe said she suffered was unbearable. The 76-year-old Tennessee woman, who eventually had to have a significant portion of her rotting jaw removed, blames the Merck & Co. osteoporosis drug Fosamax.
• 04-12-06: Lawsuit Alleges Merck Negligent in Promoting Fosamax
  A Fosamax lawsuit seeks class action status as allegations against Merck and Co., continue to surface. Merck failed to add warnings to Fosamax labels as instructed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration April 2004.
  
  
  • Fosamax® Information and how it is related to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a serious disease linked to use of the drug.
    » What is alendronate or Fosamax®? 
    » About Fosamax® and how the drug is related to Osteonecrosis
    » Fosamax® Side Effects
    » Fosamax® in the News

Fosamax® additional links of interest:

• Levin Papantonio Attorney Tim O'Brien interviewed by LA Times
  The July 5, 2006 edition of the L.A. Times includes an article about the damaging effects of the drug Fosamax and reprints its interview with Levin Papantonio attorney Tim O'Brien, who is leading the Fosamax litigation for the firm against Merck.
• Levin Firm Leading Fosamax Litigation
  Levin Papantonio attorney Tim O'Brien broke the news to the Wall Street Journal regarding the potential for the medication Fosamax® to be involved with cases of jaw bone rot. Known as osteonecrosis of the jaw, the condition can lead to lifelong disability.
• FDA Safety Review: Bisphosphonates
• Drug linked to death of jawbone
  Salvatore Ruggiero was puzzled. Over a three-year period, the jaws of dozens of patients who had undergone oral surgery at his hospital had failed to heal properly. Part of the jawbone had died and become exposed.
• Action On 'Jaw Rotting' Drug Erodes Merck's Share Price
  SHARES in Merck, the American drugs giant, slipped 1.2 per cent in early trading on Wall Street yesterday amid reports that class action lawyers were targeting a second blockbuster drug at the company - Fosamax.
• Merck Sued Over Fosamax Health Risks
  "Merck & Co., which faces more than 9,000 lawsuits over its Vioxx painkiller, misrepresented the safety of its osteoporosis drug Fosamax by withholding warnings that it could kill jawbone tissue, according to a lawsuit filed Monday. Linda Secrest, 59, sued Merck, accusing it of failing to warn doctors and patients that Fosamax could hamper blood flow to the jaw. Secrest, who began taking the drug in 2000, says she was diagnosed with jawbone tissue death in 2005. The condition is irreversible."
• Merck's Fosamax next legal battleground?
  In the wake of the recent $15 million Vioxx verdict, plaintiffs' attorneys are already setting their sights on Merck's Fosamax. That according to a Wall Street Journal report Wednesday, which said that Merck's top-selling osteoporosis drug Fosamax is the second drug made by the embattled company to come into the crosshairs of the medical tort bar. A lawsuit was filed this week in Fort Myers, Fla., the report said, with the plaintiffs seeking class-action status."
• Follow the Fosamax Blog (Updated!)
  Keep up to date with all of the latest news, links, and opinions on the Fosamax Blog hosted and edited by Levin Papantonio attorney Tim O'Brien.
• Coast to Coast Radio Program: Fosamax - Is it the next VIOXX?  
  Find out more about personal injury lawsuits and class actions being filed against Merck by women who took the drug, Fosamax. Many now suffer severe medical and dental problems. Co-hosts & Attorneys J. Craig Williams and Robert Ambrogi explore what's going on with Fosamax with the lawyer taking the lead nationwide in Fosamax litigation - Attorney Tim O'Brien at the firm of Levin, Papantonio,Thomas, Mitchell, Ecshner & Proctor in Pensacola.
• Bone-building drugs linked to bone-rotting side effect - The Star Ledger
  The New Jersey Star Ledger examines Fosamax and interviews Tim O'Brien on Merk's marketing push and lack of warnings to doctors on potential side effects.
• Fosamax lawsuit brings risks to light
  Fosamax: Bone-building med linked to jaw decay in dental patients, a fact Merck is accused of veiling.