Fosamax and femur fractures : FDA is investigating possible links

The femur is one of the strongest bones in the body. Image from Flickr.

A connection between Fosamax and femur fractures is currently under investigation by the FDA. Fosamax is a drug intended to treat bone weakness, though some doctors have been noticing a possible connection to Fosamax and fractured bones. The Medicine and Healthcare Regulatory Agency out of the UK published information in March of 2009 about the "atypical stress fractures" in patients taking Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax.

What is Fosamax?

Fosamax is a drug intended to treat osteoporosis - the weakening of bones that happens due to age or lack of certain nutrients. These drugs work kind of like short term installment loans - they shut down the cells that cannibalize bone tissue, which strengthens the bone. It's a member of the class of drugs called "bisphosphonates."

How are Fosamax and femur fractures connected?

However, just like an installment loan, this bone has to eventually be paid back to the body. Dr. Robert Bunning, a rheumatologist at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington DC theorizes that extended use of these drugs (over 5 years) lead to "frozen bone" syndrome, where the bones are so dense they become very brittle. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Fosamax and femur fractures : FDA is investigating possible links"