Re: fosamax

[Guest guest]

" I'm concerned about the fosamax possibly causing osteonecrosis of the jaw.

"

" I don't know if other drugs in the same class will have this complication,

or not. "

It is indeed a class problem. It was already discovered with other

bisphosphonates, especially the ones used to treat bone malignancies.

When on bisphosphonates, try to avoid dental surgery that involves wounding

the jaw bone, like extractions.

Regards,

" Caution On Osteonecrosis With Bisphosphonates

Novartis has notified healthcare professionals about new precautions for the

company's two bisphosphonate drugs, Zometa (zoledronic acid) and Aredia

(pamidronate disodium). These drugs are used to treat hypercalcemia of

malignancy and other disease states.

The labeling now cautions about reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw

occurring in cancer patients who received bisphosphonates as a component of

their therapy. Many of these patients were also receiving chemotherapy, some

with corticosteroids, and these are also risk factors for osteonecrosis. The

majority of the osteonecrosis cases were associated with dental procedures

such as tooth extractions, and many of these patients had signs of local

infection, including osteomyelitis.

So the labeling now advises prescribers to consider having patients with

these and other risk factors undergo dental evaluation and necessary

preventive dental care before starting on Zometa or Aredia treatment.

While on these drugs, high risk patients should avoid invasive dental

procedures if possible. If patients do develop osteonecrosis of the jaw

while on bisphosphonate therapy, they should avoid dental surgery.

And finally, if patients on bisphosphonates do require dental procedures,

there are no data available on whether stopping the drugs reduces the risk

of osteonecrosis of the jaw. The clinical judgment of the physician should

guide each patient's management, based on an assessment of benefits and

risks. "

[Guest guest]

" I'm concerned about the fosamax possibly causing osteonecrosis of the jaw.

"

" I don't know if other drugs in the same class will have this complication,

or not. "

It is indeed a class problem. It was already discovered with other

bisphosphonates, especially the ones used to treat bone malignancies.

When on bisphosphonates, try to avoid dental surgery that involves wounding

the jaw bone, like extractions.

Regards,

" Caution On Osteonecrosis With Bisphosphonates

Novartis has notified healthcare professionals about new precautions for the

company's two bisphosphonate drugs, Zometa (zoledronic acid) and Aredia

(pamidronate disodium). These drugs are used to treat hypercalcemia of

malignancy and other disease states.

The labeling now cautions about reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw

occurring in cancer patients who received bisphosphonates as a component of

their therapy. Many of these patients were also receiving chemotherapy, some

with corticosteroids, and these are also risk factors for osteonecrosis. The

majority of the osteonecrosis cases were associated with dental procedures

such as tooth extractions, and many of these patients had signs of local

infection, including osteomyelitis.

So the labeling now advises prescribers to consider having patients with

these and other risk factors undergo dental evaluation and necessary

preventive dental care before starting on Zometa or Aredia treatment.

While on these drugs, high risk patients should avoid invasive dental

procedures if possible. If patients do develop osteonecrosis of the jaw

while on bisphosphonate therapy, they should avoid dental surgery.

And finally, if patients on bisphosphonates do require dental procedures,

there are no data available on whether stopping the drugs reduces the risk

of osteonecrosis of the jaw. The clinical judgment of the physician should

guide each patient's management, based on an assessment of benefits and

risks. "

[Guest guest]

" I'm concerned about the fosamax possibly causing osteonecrosis of the jaw.

"

" I don't know if other drugs in the same class will have this complication,

or not. "

It is indeed a class problem. It was already discovered with other

bisphosphonates, especially the ones used to treat bone malignancies.

When on bisphosphonates, try to avoid dental surgery that involves wounding

the jaw bone, like extractions.

Regards,

" Caution On Osteonecrosis With Bisphosphonates

Novartis has notified healthcare professionals about new precautions for the

company's two bisphosphonate drugs, Zometa (zoledronic acid) and Aredia

(pamidronate disodium). These drugs are used to treat hypercalcemia of

malignancy and other disease states.

The labeling now cautions about reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw

occurring in cancer patients who received bisphosphonates as a component of

their therapy. Many of these patients were also receiving chemotherapy, some

with corticosteroids, and these are also risk factors for osteonecrosis. The

majority of the osteonecrosis cases were associated with dental procedures

such as tooth extractions, and many of these patients had signs of local

infection, including osteomyelitis.

So the labeling now advises prescribers to consider having patients with

these and other risk factors undergo dental evaluation and necessary

preventive dental care before starting on Zometa or Aredia treatment.

While on these drugs, high risk patients should avoid invasive dental

procedures if possible. If patients do develop osteonecrosis of the jaw

while on bisphosphonate therapy, they should avoid dental surgery.

And finally, if patients on bisphosphonates do require dental procedures,

there are no data available on whether stopping the drugs reduces the risk

of osteonecrosis of the jaw. The clinical judgment of the physician should

guide each patient's management, based on an assessment of benefits and

risks. "

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You are right that I should talk with my doctor. I did leave a message a few days ago on his assistents machine, but have not heard back. I've been thinking that I won't call back though because I'm sure that he will try to talk me into staying on the Fosamax. I went to the NPR website and listened to their audio about this issue that I was first told about. If I understood it correctly, at the end of the report the person said that studies are showing that if you have been on these meds for over 5 years and then go off of them, within the next 5 years one shouldn't lose any new bone that was gained from them. That is the answer that I needed to hear. I really want to stop taking it, at least for now. My plan is to be really be vigilant about taking my cal/mag/vit. D regularly, while doing resistence exercise consistently. Then get retested in a few years to see how my hips (where my osteopenia is) are doing. Then I will reevaluate whether I should go back on the medication. Maybe by then the researchers and doctors will know how big of a problem these meds really are. What do you think of this plan?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You are right that I should talk with my doctor. I did leave a message a few days ago on his assistents machine, but have not heard back. I've been thinking that I won't call back though because I'm sure that he will try to talk me into staying on the Fosamax. I went to the NPR website and listened to their audio about this issue that I was first told about. If I understood it correctly, at the end of the report the person said that studies are showing that if you have been on these meds for over 5 years and then go off of them, within the next 5 years one shouldn't lose any new bone that was gained from them. That is the answer that I needed to hear. I really want to stop taking it, at least for now. My plan is to be really be vigilant about taking my cal/mag/vit. D regularly, while doing resistence exercise consistently. Then get retested in a few years to see how my hips (where my osteopenia is) are doing. Then I will reevaluate whether I should go back on the medication. Maybe by then the researchers and doctors will know how big of a problem these meds really are. What do you think of this plan?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You are right that I should talk with my doctor. I did leave a message a few days ago on his assistents machine, but have not heard back. I've been thinking that I won't call back though because I'm sure that he will try to talk me into staying on the Fosamax. I went to the NPR website and listened to their audio about this issue that I was first told about. If I understood it correctly, at the end of the report the person said that studies are showing that if you have been on these meds for over 5 years and then go off of them, within the next 5 years one shouldn't lose any new bone that was gained from them. That is the answer that I needed to hear. I really want to stop taking it, at least for now. My plan is to be really be vigilant about taking my cal/mag/vit. D regularly, while doing resistence exercise consistently. Then get retested in a few years to see how my hips (where my osteopenia is) are doing. Then I will reevaluate whether I should go back on the medication. Maybe by then the researchers and doctors will know how big of a problem these meds really are. What do you think of this plan?

[Guest guest]

Thanks . My doctor just called and said to go ahead and stop the fosamax

and then in 3 years to have a Dexa Scan to see if I've lost any bone mass.

He says that some studies have shown that calcium, magniseum and vitamin D

don't really do anything, but that the resistence exercise can help to

maintain bone mass. He feels that even just walking should be enough.

Re: fosamax

>I suspect some kind of recommendations will be coming, soon. In the

>meantime, I don't know what to advise. What you're proposing certainly

>sounds reasonable..........

>

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>> Hi ,

>> You are right that I should talk with my doctor. I did leave a message a

>> few days ago on his assistents machine, but have not heard back. I've

>> been thinking that I won't call back though because I'm sure that he

>> will try to talk me into staying on the Fosamax. I went to the NPR

>> website and listened to their audio about this issue that I was first

>> told about. If I understood it correctly, at the end of the report the

>> person said that studies are showing that if you have been on these meds

>> for over 5 years and then go off of them, within the next 5 years one

>> shouldn't lose any new bone that was gained from them. That is the

>> answer that I needed to hear. I really want to stop taking it, at least

>> for now. My plan is to be really be vigilant about taking my

>> cal/mag/vit. D regularly, while doing resistence exercise consistently.

>> Then get retested in a few years to see how my hips (where my osteopenia

>> is) are doing. Then I will reevaluate whether I should go back on the

>> medication. Maybe by then the researchers and doctors will know how big

>> of a problem these meds really are. What do you think of this plan?

>>

>>

>

> Barrow

> pozbod@...

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[Guest guest]

I agree with your doctor;  minerals and vitamin D have a limited role, at best, in the treatment of osteoporosis.  I don't think it would hurt to take them, though.He says that some studies have shown that calcium, magniseum and vitamin D don't really do anything, but that the resistence exercise can help to maintain bone mass. He feels that even just walking should be enough. Barrowpozbod@...

[Guest guest]

I agree with your doctor;  minerals and vitamin D have a limited role, at best, in the treatment of osteoporosis.  I don't think it would hurt to take them, though.He says that some studies have shown that calcium, magniseum and vitamin D don't really do anything, but that the resistence exercise can help to maintain bone mass. He feels that even just walking should be enough. Barrowpozbod@...