Arthritis Patients Should Be Aware of Complication Tied to Bisphosphonates

It's not uncommon for arthritis patients to be prescribed one of the bisphosphonates. Fosamax (alendronate), Boniva (ibandronate), Actonel (risedronate), Aredia (pamidronate), and Reclast (zoledronic acid) are among the bisphosphonates -- a class of drugs prescribed to treat bone conditions such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone.

Reports have suggested that osteonecrosis of the jaw can develop after using bisphosphonates. Drugmakers said, however, that bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw was only associated with intravenous use of the drugs -- not oral use. A study published in the January 1, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association disputes the claim that it's only intravenous or longterm use that's a problem.

Study results from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry revealed that 9 of 208 healthy people (or about 4%) developed osteonecrosis of the jaw while using or after using the oral bisphosphonate Fosamax. Further studies will provide more information about the association of oral bisphosphonate use with osteonecrosis of the jaw -- but this study suggests that even short-term bisphosphonate use can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw. The risk is even greater following oral surgery procedures that expose the jaw bone.

Related Resources:

• Osteoporosis Medications
• Guide to Osteonecrosis
• Osteoporosis - What Arthritis Patients Should Know
• Bisphosphonates and Jaw Osteonecrosis - Possible Serious Side Effect
• Paget's Disease of Bone and Osteoarthritis - Two Different Yet Related Conditions

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