Osteoporosis Drug Can Flutter the Heart
-Heartzine.com
05/05/2008- The osteoporosis drug Fosamax that is prescribed to women might increase their risk of developing an irregular heart beat, a study by researchers at the Group Health Centre for Health Studies and University of Washington suggests. Despite the findings, the researchers conclude that the benefits of the drug far outweigh the risks faced by women. More>>>

Fosamax “Dead Jaw Syndrome” Tied to Microbial Biofilms
NewsInferno.com
05/04/2008- Microbial biofilms are behind a nasty side effect of osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax, new research says. These biofilms, a mix of bacteria and sticky extracellular material, are causing jaw tissue infections in patients taking bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva, according to a study conducted at the USC School of Dentistry. Earlier this year, another group of researchers linked biofilms to eye infections that were caused by recalled Renu with MoistureLoc Contact Lens solution in 2006. More>>>

Researchers Uncover Link Between Osteoporosis Drugs and Jaw Infection

-Health News Digest
04/30/2008 - A group of University of Southern California School of Dentistry researchers says it has identified the slimy culprits killing the jawbones of some people taking drugs that treat osteoporosis. More>>>

Osteoporosis meds and bone collapse: weighing the risks

-Globe and Mail

04/08/2008 - Osteonecrosis of the jaw, a disease in which a patient's jawbone rots and dies, has been associated with the use of bisphosphonates, a popular class of medication for the treatment of osteoporosis. More>>>

Fosamax Linked to Serious Abnormal Bone Fractures
-NaturalNews
03/29/2008- The New England Journal of Medicine published a physician group report of 15 women taking Fosamax who experienced "atypical low-energy fractures," which means their bones broke doing almost nothing – a serious kind of injury typically seen in very elderly individuals in declining health. The fact that the NEJM is reporting this is a major wake up call to anyone who hasn't figured out that Fosamax is dangerous to your health. More>>>

Another Bad Break For Merck?
-Pharmalot
03/20/2008 - Researchers report that long-term use of its Fosamax osteoporosis drug is associated with unusual fractures of the thigh bone, HealthDay writes. More>>>

Fosamax Linked to Unusual Femur Fractures
-HealthDay

03/19/2008 - In the latest research to cast a shadow on the safety of a popular bone-strengthening medication, researchers report that long-term use of Fosamax is associated with unusual fractures of the thigh bone. More>>>

Merck CEO got $14.5 million in 2007

-Forbes

03/10/2008 - Merck & Co.'s chief executive officer, Richard T. Clark, received compensation valued at $14.5 million in 2007, an 80 percent raise in a year when the drugmaker took a $4.85 billion charge to settle much of the litigation over its former painkiller Vioxx. More>>>

FDA Posts MedWatch Side Effect Alert for Osteoporosis Drugs
-NaturalNews
02/21/2008 - The FDA recently issued a statement that bisphosphonate drugs used to treat osteoporosis may cause "severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and/or muscle pain". More>>>

Bisphosphonates and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
-MIMS Ireland
02/20/2008 - Bisphosphonates are a class of medicinal substances approved for various indications related to their inhibitory effect on bone resorption in certain malignant and benign diseases, including osteoporosis. More>>>

Trouble Brews Over Merck Product
-Wall Street Journal
1/30/2008 - Merck & Co.'s pending $4.85 billion Vioxx settlement is expected to bring more than three years of litigation to an end. But looming challenges to some top-selling products, including osteoporosis blockbuster Fosamax, threaten to keep the company under a cloud. More>>>

Suit Alleges More Health Problems From Merck's Fosamax Drug
-Wall Street Journal
1/28/2008 - A Connecticut woman has sued Merck & Co., claiming that its osteoporosis drug Fosamax caused multiple stress fractures and suppressed bone regeneration in her legs. JoAnn Moranski of Fairfield alleges in a complaint filed in New Jersey state court that she took the drug from 1996-2006. More>>>

Study cites rare risk in use of bone drug UBC research cites potential harm for post-menopausal women with osteoarthritis
-Vancouver Sun
01/16/2008 - Drugs used mainly to prevent bone fractures or treat osteoarthritis, often in postmenopausal women, may cause bone tissue to crumble and die in rare situations, according to a B.C.-led study. More>>>

Popular Osteoporosis Drugs Triple Risk Of Painful Bone Necrosis, Study Finds
-Science Daily
01/15/2008 - A University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute study has found that a popular class of osteoporosis drugs nearly triples the risk of developing bone necrosis, a condition that can lead to disfigurement and incapacitating pain. More>>>

Merck signs deal for Fosamax authorized generic
-Reuters
01/11/2008 - Merck & Co Inc said on Friday it had signed a deal for an authorized generic form of its blockbuster Fosamax osteoporosis drug, to become available after the U.S. patent on the world's top-selling osteoporosis drug lapses on February 6. More>>>

U.S. warns of severe pain with osteoporosis drugs
-Reuters
01/07/2008 - Patients treated with widely used osteoporosis drugs may develop severe and sometimes disabling pain in muscles, joints and bones, U.S. officials said on Monday in an alert highlighting the previously known risk. More>>>

Judge denies class in Fosamax cases against Merck
-Reuters
01/04/2008- A U.S. federal judge has denied motions to certify classes of users of osteoporosis drug Fosamax who wanted Merck & Co to set up a program to monitor them for an ailment involving jaw bone decay. More>>>