Fosamax may be connected to throat cancer according to at least one medical study. The prescription medication Fosamax is prescribed to prevent fractures that may be caused by osteoporosis.
In January 2009, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that stated 23 people taking Fosamax had throat cancer. The cancers reported were between October 2005 and May 2008. Of the reported cancer patients 8 deaths have occurred.
Fosamax is an oral bisphosphonate. Other medications that are similar to Fosamax include Actonel, Boniva and Didronel. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration these medications could not be ruled out for causing throat cancer.
Cancers of the throat include cancer of the esophagus. Those with this cancer may have trouble swallowing and feel like food is stuck in their chest or throat.
It is estimated that more than 30 million people in the United States alone take Fosamax or other oral bisphosphonates. Other side effects of Fosamax may include irregular heart beats, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, constipation, joint pain, bone pain, and muscle pain.
There have been lawsuits against Merck because of the link between Fosamax and osteonecrosis of the jaw. However, following these issues the drug was allowed to remain on the market. To find a physician in Charlotte that offers treatment for osteoporosis use this link.
Many physicians encourage dietary changes and exercise to prevent osteoporosis. However, prescription drugs are offered if patients are willing to accept the medications and possible side effects.
While some say the connection between taking Fosamax or other prescriptions to prevent osteoporosis and throat cancer are slim, the person with throat cancer and a prescription for Fosamax may have a different opinion. Information about this negative study results may not seem as public as those taking Fosamax would expect.
Comments
Sometimes it is just one person who experiences the side effects of meds.thank you for this needed article.
Interesting didn't know about this. Thanks for the clear information.
Very interesting to learn about. Never heard of this drug before. The side effects are many and just think that to help one thing something else can be damaged. All people react differently but this is good to know in case this is prescribed to you or family.
Winona Cooking Examiner / Winona Home and Living Examiner
Very good reporting. :)
This is really scary. I have taken this drug and had no idea that throat cancer could be a side effect. Pam Blume Greater Gainesville Examiner.
Scary for me as well, as I took Foxamax, and now I know why they took me off of it. Oh well, we get what we get, and God runs the universe, so I turn this over to him.
Wow, scary stuff here, I always shutter at the side effects of most drugs, and then you have to always wonder, what will come out in the future about drugs that we don't know today..
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