Jawbone Sink
Public Citizen Names Two Groups For Whom Fosamax Has No Benefit of Therapy
Bone-strengthening medication Fosamax became one of the bestselling drugs in the United States and the rest of North America due to the millions of people taking this drug for osteoporosis. However, the use of this bisphosphonate entails serious adverse effects, including osteonecrosis of the jaw. But before anything else, let’s have a deeper look on this severe dental condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw.
In the recent past, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had discussed about health care providers not carefully prescribing biphosphonates to their patients. Consumer support group Public Citizen mentioned two groups who are not getting any benefits from Fosamax treatment. These groups may only be putting themselves at risk of developing this jaw bone disease unnecessarily.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw, commonly referred to as ONJ or “dead jaw,” is a disease characterized by an exposure of the jawbone. This bone tissue is poorly nourished with blood until it ultimately “dies” or necrotizes. Scientists have coined the terms “Bis-phossy Jaw” and BON for ONJ in relation to the use of bisphosphonates like Fosamax.
In the first stage of ONJ, patient would appear to have no symptoms until the disease develops, in which one could feel pain, inflammation and redness usually associated with gum infection. A trademark for ONJ is the (visible exposure of) bone tissue which may last for more than eight weeks. Additionally, the condition may be worsened by dental procedures like tooth extraction.
In most cases, ONJ is treated non-surgically with antimicrobial rinses, systemic antibiotics, systemic or topical antifungal medications and pain reliever. When advanced stages are reached, surgical debridement or resection, together with nonsurgical interventions, might be performed. It is best for anyone to let the dentist know if he or she is on bisphosphonate therapy before any dental procedures or even minor surgeries are performed.
The revisions involving ONJ risk made by Merck on Fosamax label per FDA’s request have been made available to the public in July 2005. Yet, some Fosamax patients, who are using the drug for a long time, believed that Merck did not properly warned its patients, causing them to deal with the side effects and other drug backlash. This moved affected men and women to file Fosamax lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company.
Jawbone Shrinkage & Flase Teeth by Cosmetic Dentist Located In the City of Granada Hills CA