Popular Osteoporosis Drug Fosamax May Cause Throat Cancer, Researchers Say
The osteoporosis drug Fosamax, taken by tens of millions of Americans to prevent painful bone fractures caused by the disease, may cause esophageal cancer, according to a prestigious medical journal.
In a study published January 2, 2009 in the New England Journal of Medicine, an official from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the agency has received 23 reports of the cancer, which targets the esophagus, between October 2005 when Fosamax was released and May 2008. Of those 23 reports, eight patients have died so far.
The report of deadly adverse reactions focused on Fosamax and not similar brands in the same class of anti-osteoporosis drugs, called oral bisphosphonates. Brands such as Boniva, Actonel, and Didronel are other members of that class. FDA officials, however, cautioned that they could not rule out similar problems developing with those drugs in the future.
What is Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that starts in the inner layer of the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat and stomach. At advanced stages, the cancer can cause difficulty swallowing and a sensation of food getting stuck in the throat or chest.
The outlook for people with esophageal cancer used to be grim, but close monitoring of Barrett’s esophagus and other conditions that can lead to the cancer as well as other early-detection efforts have helped greatly improve the prognosis of people battling the disease.
Osteoporosis Affects Millions of Americans
An estimated 10 million people in the United States suffer from osteoporosis, a bone disease that leaves bones more likely to break. Up to 34 million more are at risk of developing the disease. Women are twice as likely as men to develop the disease and nearly half of women and a quarter of men over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.
While there is no cure for osteoporosis, many people find some relief in the use of oral bisphosphonates such as Fosamax, which can prevent breaks by increasing bone density.
However, the recent FDA report about a possible link between Fosamax and cancer of the esophagus could raise questions about the use of the drugs in treating osteoporosis.
Fosamax and Others Widely Prescribed
More 30 million Americans take oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis and other conditions, officials said. Fosamax and other brands of oral bisphosphonates are often the first line of defense against osteoporosis. The FDA report about a possible link to esophageal cancer focused on Fosamex, but did not rule out similar side effects being caused by other brands in the same class of osteoporosis drugs.
Fosamax Questioned Before
The most recent FDA report detailing a possible link between Fosamex and esophageal cancer is not the first time the drug has been the focus of findings of serious, life-threatening side effects.
In April 2008, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients taking Fosamax were 86 percent more likely to develop an irregular heartbeat. Larger studies have contradicted those initial findings, but many seniors and their loved ones still have serious concerns about the effects of the drug. The latest findings of a possible link between Fosamax and life-threatening cancer of the esophagus likely will to nothing to allay those fears.
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Thanks for the information. Drugs do have side effects but this is not to be neglected any way, its life threatening. There are ways of Avoiding Osteoporosis that really works. So instead of using drugs by doing simple lifestyle modifications we can change our lives to a healthy one.
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