Fosamax Femoral Fractures Lawsuit
As of this writing, 15 Fosamax lawsuits have been filed against Merck & Co. While that number might seem small, experts believe that it is only the beginning of a wave of lawsuits. In the coming years, hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of lawsuits are expected. Read on to learn more about this lawsuit and how it may help you. This article will also discuss Merck’s response to lawsuits.
Side effects of Fosamax
One of the side effects of Fosamax for fibular fractures is bone hardening. The drug hardens the outer layer of bone and slows down the replacement of cells inside the bone. This can lead to a series of small fractures, which accumulate over time to form a severe Fosamax femoral fracture. Fosamax may also cause a condition known as “frozen bone,” which shuts down the body’s remodeling process and can lead to clean fractures.
Other reported side effects of Fosamax include musculoskeletal pain and bone disease, including osteonecrosis of the jaw and esophageal cancer. Although the FDA has a new limited use statement for Fosamax, it has yet to alert the public to the risk of these side effects. As a result, patients should discuss their treatment options with their physician if they experience pain or swelling in the thigh or hip.
The link between Fosamax and femoral fractures
A federal judge ruled that a drug manufacturer is responsible for failing to warn consumers of the potential risk of atypical femoral fractures associated with the use of Fosamax. The lawsuits were filed against Merck, the maker of Fosamax after the agency rejected warnings on the drug based on insufficient evidence. A different warning would have been rejected by the FDA, he added.
The FDA has launched an investigation into bisphosphonate drugs, like Fosamax, which are widely used to treat osteoporosis. This investigation was prompted by studies published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. The researchers found a link between Fosamax use and femoral fractures, though the association between the two is unclear. The findings in this study contradict previous findings and suggest that bisphosphonates may be less dangerous in shorter-term use.
One recent study conducted in Australia suggests a link between Fosamax and atypical femur fractures. In the study, 40 patients with subtrochanteric insufficiency fractures (SIFs) had used Fosamax (alendronate) in the past seven years. Of the patients, five reported experiencing pain months before their fracture. The findings are surprising, especially because the femur is one of the strongest bones in the body.
Increased risk of femoral fractures
An increased risk of femoral fractures in patients on Fosamax is a potential side effect of the prescription bone-growth factor. Patients taking Fosamax are more likely to suffer fractures in their femur, which are the bones in the hip, knee, and shoulder. The increase in fractures is so significant that a recent ABC World News Tonight special highlighted the issue. The FDA has looked into the potential link between Fosamax and bone breakage but has not yet found a clear link. Nevertheless, a large number of femur fracture lawsuits have been filed in the United States.
Researchers looked at studies published in the Cochrane Library and Embase to find randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of Fosamax versus placebo to determine if the drug increased the risk of femoral fractures in women. They also looked at the prevalence of atypical fractures in black women. This increased risk is still too low to justify the drug’s safety.
Merck’s response to lawsuits
A recent case argues that Merck was required to include a warning about atypical femoral fractures in Fosamax. While the CRL rejects Merck’s proposed label change, it is not clear why the FDA rejected Merck’s proposed warning. Moreover, Merck argues that the CRL’s language was inadequate for addressing the Plaintiffs’ concerns, and it argued that its message would have been sufficient under New Jersey law.
The lawsuits allege that the drug failed to warn consumers of potential risks, including femoral fractures. However, Merck acknowledges that it is responsible for a certain percentage of these cases. Merck requested permission from the FDA to include a warning on the drug’s label, which contains information on how the drug should be used. Ultimately, the warnings are considered to be reasonable and provide legal protection for drug companies.
As of this writing, 15 Fosamax lawsuits have been filed against Merck & Co. While that number might seem small, experts believe that it is only the beginning of a wave of lawsuits. In the coming years, hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of lawsuits are expected. Read on to learn more about this lawsuit and how…