Fosomoax, a drug prescribed for many of the ten-thousand osteoporosis patients in the US, has been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Fosomax leads the way as the most often prescribed osteoporosis medication. According to a report at MedicalNewsToday.com, since 2006 Fosomax has ranked as the 21st most often prescrobed drug.
A recent study by Dr. Parish Sedghizadeh of University of Southern California and his colleagues is featured in January’s Journal of the American Dental Association. Previous research showed a link between bisphosphonate drugs and jaw osteonecrosis, but Dr. Sedghizadeh’s study revealed that the problem is more common than formerly thought. The study showed that one in 23 patients who take Fosomax for osteoporosis experienced jawbone necrosis. Because bisphosphonates make jawbone tissue more susceptible to infection, patients who take these drugs should be informed of the increased risk for infection in the case of tooth extraction.
SOURCE: Medical News Today, “Osteoporosis Drug Linked To Bone Death In Jaw,” by Catherine Paddock, PhD; USC Abstract from JADA, “Oral bisphosphonate use and the prevalence of osteonecrosis of the jaw”