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Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonates are a class of drug designed to strengthen bones and include brand names Actonel, Aredia, Boniva, Fosamax, Skelid and Zometa. They are commonly prescribed in cases of osteoporosis, bone cancer and other bone-weakening diseases. Common side effects include rash, bone pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms; however, bisphosphonates have recently been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw ("dead jaw syndrome"), a wasting disease in which bone tissue dies. Experts concede that the drug is overprescribed and that the long-term effects of bisphosphonates are still unknown.
Fast Facts
| Name: | Bisphosphonates are a class of drug which include prescription forms such as Actonel, Aredia, Boniva, Fosamax, Skelid, and Zometa |
| Generic: | Generics include alendronate |
| Manufacturer: | Varies. Primary manufacturers include Merck (Fosamax), Proctor & Gamble (Actonel) and Roche Therapeutics (Boniva). |
| Date approved: | Varies. The first bisphosphonates were approved in the mid-1990s. |
| Status: | Prescription only. |
| Approved uses: | Treatment of bone-weakening diseases including cancer, osteoporosis, and Paget's disease. |
| Off-Label uses: | Anti-fracture uses; however, the anti-fracture properties of bisphosphonates have not been proven. |
| Side effects: | Bone pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ/"dead jaw syndrom") |
| Related topics: | Unsafe drugs, Fosamax |
Bisphosphonates: Overprescribed?
They increase in popularity on a daily basis: in fact, Fosamax was prescribed over 22 million times in 2005. They are touted as a miracle drug for the treatment and prevention of thinning and... read more
Bisphosphonates Can Cause Jaw Bone Death
They are increasingly prescribed in both women and men for the treatment and prevention of thinning and weakening bones (osteoporosis). But recent studies are showing that despite their popularity,... read more
View the Bisphosphonates Main Articles page here
FDA Information Related to Bisphosphonates
December 2006 Monthly Safety Labeling
February 2007 Monthly Safety Labeling
View the Bisphosphonates FDA Information page here
MSN Newsfeeds Related to Bisphosphonates
Grey & Pantene Seek Song at MIDEM for New 2009 Advertising
View the Bisphosphonates MSN Newsfeeds page here
News Articles Related to Bisphosphonates
View the Bisphosphonates News Articles page here
Books Related to Bisphosphonates
Fosamax: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References
View the Bisphosphonates Books page here
