Complications Arising from Osteoporosis Medication: Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) is a condition characterized by an area of exposed none in the oral cavity that does not heal or heals poorly within a normal healing time. Often, the area becomes infected, causing pain and swelling. In some cases, the bone must be surgically removed. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, pain, swelling, or infection of the gums; loosening of teeth; poor healing of the gums; numbness or the feeling of heaviness in the jaw; drainage and exposed bone. The cause of this rare but painful, disfiguring and debilitating condition is not fully agreed upon. There is no definitive treatment for ONJ. To diagnose ONJ, doctors may use x-rays or tests for infection.

Our lawyers know lawsuits have been filed against some of the drug’s manufacturers claiming that the drug is defective because it can cause ONJ. The lawsuits also claim that the manufacturers knowingly sold and marketed the drugs despite the link to serious jaw disease. The victims claim that the drug companies failed to adequately warn them about potential side effects of the drugs.

Physicians were warned by the Food and Drug Administration to be alert for severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint and/or muscle pain among patients taking bisphosphonates. The medications listed in the warning are: alendronate, or Fosamax and Fosamax Plus D; etidronate, or Didronel; ibandronate, or Boniva; pamidronate, or Aredia; risedronate, or Actonel and Actonel with Calcium; tiludronate, or Skelid; and zoledronic acid, or Reclast and Zometa.

If you or someone you know has taken Actonel, Boniva or Fosamax, and have experienced the symptoms of ONJ, please contact us to discuss your claims. Or please fill out the form below and we will get back to you immediately.