STUDY: SIDE EFFECTS OF FOSAMAX OSTEOPOROSIS DRUG LINKED TO ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

A new study, presented this week at the meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, indicates that side effects of Fosamax are associated with a higher rate of esophageal cancer. Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago examined adverse event reports submitted to the FDA and found 128 cases of biphosphonate associated esophageal cancer and that of those cases, Fosmamax appears to be more than six times more likely to develop cancer of the esophagus than those who took other biposphonates like Boniva and Actonel Fosamax (alendronate sodium) is the most commonly prescribed biphsophonate medication in the U.S. which was introduced by Merck in 1995. It has generated over $3 billion in annual sales before it became available as a generic in 2008. Merck presently faces hundreds of lawsuits over Fosamax side effects such as jaw necorsis or sudden femur fractures.