Osteoporosis Drug Warning
Filed under: Bisphosphonates
A Wisconson CBS station has done a piece warning about osteoporosis drugs. It features a woman with multiple myeloma who developed a jaw infection while taking an osteoporosis drug. They don't name specific drugs in the piece.
The video is in the upper right corner of the page.
Posted by Staff on October 26, 2006 12:46 PM
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People with myleoma (a plasma cell cancer for which there is no cure) generally have a monthly IV infusion of a bisphoshonate. Either Aredia (pamidronate) or Zometa (zoledronic acid). These drugs are not typically used in the treatment of osteoporosis, although they are being investigated as an annual injection for the treatment of osteoporosis. I don't think they are yet approved bhy the FDA for osteoporosis. I have been using them since 2003 for my myeloma, with no ONJ problems. ONJ usually starts when the patient has some kind of oral surgery or tooth extractions. MM patients are urged to discontinue the use of these bisphosphonates before having any such procedures done. If there's any uncertaintly on the part of the patient or dental proffessional, a myeloma specialist should be consulted before anything is done. More information can be found at the web site of the International Myeloma Foundation: www.myeloma.org.