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 what is osteonecrosis of the jaw and what must people in the world need to know about this severe dental problem?
Not so long ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) addressed the issue about doctors less cautiously ordering bisphosphonates to their patients. Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen named two groups who are not getting any benefits from Fosamax therapy. These populations who may be unnecessarily taking the drug are also putting themselves at risk of this jaw bone problem.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw, commonly referred to ask ONJ or “dead jaw,” is a disease characterized by an exposure of the jawbone. This bone tissue does not receive enough blood supply, which eventually leads to the its death or necrosis. Scientists have coined the terms “Bis-phossy Jaw” and BON for ONJ in relation to the use of bisphosphonates like Fosamax.
In the early stage, the disease is often asymptomatic, but as it progresses, patient would feel pain, swelling and redness related to an infection on the gums. The hallmark sign of ONJ is the exposure of bone tissue which lasts for more than 2 months. {Furthermore, a dental procedure would often exacerbate or worsen the condition.|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 imperative to inform the dentist if one is on a bisphosphonate treatment before any surgical intervention – no matter how minor---is carried out
In July 2005, new revisions regarding ONJ risks by Merck on Fosamax label was made available on public as a reponse to the request from the FDA a few months before. 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.
Not so long ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) addressed the issue about doctors less cautiously ordering bisphosphonates to their patients. Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen named two groups who are not getting any benefits from Fosamax therapy. These populations who may be unnecessarily taking the drug are also putting themselves at risk of this jaw bone problem.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw, commonly referred to ask ONJ or “dead jaw,” is a disease characterized by an exposure of the jawbone. This bone tissue does not receive enough blood supply, which eventually leads to the its death or necrosis. Scientists have coined the terms “Bis-phossy Jaw” and BON for ONJ in relation to the use of bisphosphonates like Fosamax.
In the early stage, the disease is often asymptomatic, but as it progresses, patient would feel pain, swelling and redness related to an infection on the gums. The hallmark sign of ONJ is the exposure of bone tissue which lasts for more than 2 months. {Furthermore, a dental procedure would often exacerbate or worsen the condition.|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 imperative to inform the dentist if one is on a bisphosphonate treatment before any surgical intervention – no matter how minor---is carried out
In July 2005, new revisions regarding ONJ risks by Merck on Fosamax label was made available on public as a reponse to the request from the FDA a few months before. 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.
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