| There has been a lot of buzz in the
media the in the past few days about a new report suggesting
an previously unidentified risk to patients who use certain
types of osteoporosis medications. I would like to use this
space to clarify some of the confusion and even
misinformation regarding this issue.
The Facts: There have been some reports of women
developing fractures of the femur ( the long bone of the
thigh) when they have been on drugs like Fosamax for more
than 5 years. Fosamax is one member of a class of drugs
known as bisphosphonates which includes alendronate (Fosamax),
ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel) and zoledronic
acid (Reclast). These drugs all work the same way and the
questions involving this potential new side effect involve
all of these drugs not just Fosamax.
Why is this in the News now?: Currently there is
no clear evidence that these drugs do indeed lead to an
increased risk of thigh fracture. There have only been some
scattered reports of fractures and it is unclear whether the
fracture was the result of the medication, the patients
preexisting osteoporosis, or some other factor. The reason
this issue has been in the news is because the FDA is
investigating these reports and wants doctors to report any
cases so they can determine if there is a greater risk of
femur fracture among women who are taking these medications.
What should I do if I am taking one of these
medications?: For most patients, the answer is that you should
probably do nothing different. For the majority of patients
it still seems that the benefits of these medication outweigh the
risks. Women who take them still have a reduced risk of
fracture overall. The current announcement is simply a call
for more research. There has been no change in osteoporosis
treatment recommendations, and these medications are still
considered to be very effective.
If you notice unusual pain in your thigh area or have
further questions you should consult with your physician. |
