subject: Fosamax And Its Effects On Bones [print this page] An alendronate sodium, Fosamax has been in bad light due to complaints about its adverse reactions. One after another, its manufacturer has been receiving cases. For example, in New Jersey, a consolidated Fosamax lawsuit is scheduled for trial in February. With this, it is essential to know the pharmacokinetics of the drug for us to understand how things can go wrong with its use. .
Fosamax is a classified bisphosphonate, which aims to make the bones stronger. This class of drugs helps prevent the loss of bone mass. Their mechanism of action makes it efficient for treating bone problems like osteoporosis in both men and women, and Pagets Disease.
Although it looks pretty stationary, our bones are actually in a constant process of replacing themselves, called bone remodeling cycle bone cycle or bone metabolism throughout our lifespan. This cycle consists of three phases: bone resorption, osteoclastic reversal and bone formation. The normal duration for this cycle is around three to six months.
During bone resorption, a type of bone cells called osteoclasts begin the process of bone metabolism by releasing minerals like calcium into the blood. Right after osteoclastic reversal occurs, the shifting from resorption process to the formation process. follows Finally, the bone formation is marked by the growth and development of new bone tissues.
Bisphosphonates interfere with the bone metabolism by reducing bone breakdown, thereby slowing down bone loss. Slowing the rate of bone thinning in people with osteoporosis helps reduce the risk of bone fracture. The ultimate goal of treating osteoporosis is to prevent the occurrence to bone fractures.
However, there is mounting evidence that bisphosphonates, particularly Fosamax and its generic alendronate, may cause an unusual type of fracture in the thigh bone after using the drug for five years or so. There were some worries that using bisphosphonates for a very long time would end up in an over-supression of bone resorption. Additionally, it is believed that minute cracks in the bone that were not able to heal well eventually mount up and cause this king of fracture.
Preventing the occurrence of fracture is the ultimate goal considering that the adverse event was deemed rare. These reports pused doctors to change their prescription lengths of Fosamax to not more than three years. And a Fosamax lawsuit was already filed by those who have suffered this Fosamax femur fracture.
