What is the risk of osteonecrosis caused by Fosamax?
While most experts agree the incidence of osteonecrosis among bisphosphonate users is rare, it is unclear the extent of the risk. Experts estimate that one to ten percent of the 500,000 cancer patients taking Fosamax or a related bone drug will develop osteonecrosis. Patients using lower doses of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis appear to be at a lesser risk, though know one appears able to quantify this risk. What is clear is that dozens of bisphosphonate users have developed this painful and debilitating condition. How are experts and consumers reacting to this risk? Drug makers and medical groups are rushing to provide some answers, but so far, most of these are based on hunches, not scientific evidence. Doctors have been besieged by concerns from their patients about Fosamax and osteonecrosis risks. Some dentists are refusing to provide treatment to patients taking these drugs for fear that dental work will trigger this jaw-rotting disease. Consumer legal advocates, plaintiff’s att
