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Case Center
Bone Drugs and Femur Fractures
- Issue: Atypical femur fractures
2012 Update on Risk of Serious Femur Fractures and Osteoporosis Drugs
On February 8, 2012, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reported that "growing evidence . . . supports an association between atypical fractures of the femur - a rare break of the thigh bone, typically without trauma - and the use of bisphosphonates." Research presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that discontinuing bisphosphonate use following an atypical femur fracture can significantly lower the risk for a subsequent atypical fracture.
Osteoporosis Bone Drugs and Heightened Risk of Femur Fractures
Bisphosphonates such as Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax, are a class of drugs that are used to slow bone loss associated with osteoporosis. New research shows long-term use of these drugs may actually increase the risk of certain fractures in the femur, the thick bone of the thigh.
In February 2011, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association study found that long-term treatment with bisphosphonates increases the risk of rare femur fractures by three times, as compared to women prescribed a bone drug for less than 100 days. In the study, long-term treatment was defined as more than five years of continuous usage.
Attorney Wendy Fleishman Discusses
Fosamax and other bone loss drugs
In May 2011, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a statistically significant, several fold increased risk of atypical femur fracture associated with use of bisphosphonates for less than a year of use, and a particularly high (50x) high risk after 1.9 years of use.
Legal Rights of the Injured
The law in most states provides several personal injury claims for persons who have been seriously injured by a prescription drug. These claims include strict liability for a defective product, breach of warranty, negligence, and misrepresentation. Damages sought against pharmaceutical companies for dangerous drug side effects and injuries include:
- Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
- Medical expenses, past and future; and
- Loss of earnings and/or earning capacity.
In the case of a patient's death, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death action and seek damages.
Contact Lieff Cabraser
If you or a family member have suffered femur fractures after being prescribed a bisphosphonate, you may be eligible to file a claim. Please click here to contact a bisphosphonate bone drug injury attorney at Lieff Cabraser to discuss your legal rights at no cost or obligation, or call attorney Heather A. Foster toll-free at 1.800.541.7358.
Trademark Notice
Actonel is a Trademark of Warner Chilcott. Boniva is a Trademark of Roche Therapeutics. Fosamax is a Trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. These Trademarks are used for informational and product identification purposes only. Lieff Cabraser is not affiliated with Warner Chilcott, Roche Therapeutics or Merck & Co., Inc.
Contact
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Please click here to contact a personal injury attorney at Lieff Cabraser, or call us toll-free at1 800.541.7358 and ask to speak to attorney Heather A. Foster. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.
In the News
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2/8/2012
Halting Bone-Building Osteoporosis Drug Use Significantly Reduces Likelihood Of Additional Fractures
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1/24/2012
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12/15/2011
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9/10/2011
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5/6/2011
Fosamax and Other Osteoporosis Drugs: New Study on Risk of Thigh Bone Fractures
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