Fosamax Drug Effects.flv

March 12, 2010 (New Orleans, Louisiana) — An unusual type of bone fracture has been reported in women who have taken bisphosphonates for osteopenia and osteoporosis for more than 4 years, according to 2 studies reported here at the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2010 Annual Meeting..
Bisphosphonates are wonderful drugs. They've cut the vertebral fracture rate by 70% and the hip fracture rate by 50%. People die from hip fractures. There has been great enthusiasm for these drugs, and clearly the rate of hip fractures is decreasing," said Joseph Lane, MD, chief of the Metabolic Bone Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery and professor of orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York CIty.
But concern is mounting that long-term use might adversely affect bone quality, he added.
There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporotic fractures. Vertebral fractures can result in chronic disabling pain, and 1 in 5 patients who have a hip fracture die within 1 year, researchers told meeting attendees.
03-10-2010] Patients and healthcare professionals may have questions about oral bisphosphonate medications and atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures fractures in the bone just below the hip joint. Oral bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed to prevent or treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Common brand names of medications in this class include Fosamax®, Actonel®, Boniva®, and Reclast®.

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