Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

2012 Update on Risk of Serious Femur Fractures and Osteoporosis Drugs 

On February 8, 2012, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reported that "growing evidence . . . supports an association between atypical fractures of the femur - a rare break of the thigh bone, typically without trauma - and the use of bisphosphonates."  Research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that discontinuing bisphosphonate use following an atypical femur fracture can significantly lower the risk for a subsequent atypical fracture. 

Fosamax and Heightened Risk of Femur Fractures

Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax are a class of drugs that are used to slow bone loss associated with osteoporosis. According to new research, long-term use of these drugs may actually increase the risk of certain fractures in the thick femur bone of the thigh.

In February 2011, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association study found that long-term treatment with bisphosphonates increases the risk of rare femur fractures by three times, as compared to women prescribed a bone drug for less than 100 days. In the study, long-term treatment was defined as more than five years of continuous usage.

In May 2011, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a statistically significant, several fold increased risk of atypical femur fracture associated with use of bisphosphonates for less than a year of use, and a particularly high (50x) high risk after 1.9 years of use. 

Fosamax Lawsuits

In lawsuits filed against Merck & Co., Inc., the manufacturer of Fosamax, patients who experienced femur fractures have alleged that:

• the benefits of Fosamax therapy for longer than 5 years are limited;
• safer alternative remedies, such as Vitamin D and calcium supplements, effectively reduce the risk of fractures without the harmful side effects linked to long-term Fosamax use;
• Merck was aware of an increasing number of reports of atypical thigh bone fractures in patients exposed to long term use of Fosamax; and
• Merck breached its duty to warn patients of the dangers associated with the long-term use of Fosamax.

Legal Rights of the Injured

The law in most states provides several personal injury claims for persons who have been seriously injured by a prescription drug. These claims include strict liability for a defective product, breach of warranty, negligence, and misrepresentation. Damages sought against pharmaceutical companies for dangerous drug side effects and injuries include:

• Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
• Medical expenses, past and future; and
• Loss of earnings and/or earning capacity.

In the case of a patient's death, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death action and seek damages.

Contact Lieff Cabraser

If you or a family member have suffered femur fractures after being prescribed Fosamax, you may be eligible to file a claim. Please click here to contact a Fosamax injury attorney at Lieff Cabraser to discuss your legal rights at no cost or obligation, or call attorney Heather A. Foster toll-free at 1.800.541.7358.

Trademark Notice

Fosamax is a Trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. and is used for informational and product identification purposes only. Lieff Cabraser is not affiliated with Merck & Co., Inc.